Week 4 2025 Market update
Berries
Strawberries: Florida and the entire East Coast is experiencing much cooler than normal temperatures along with rain. Highs this week are only expected to reach the 50’s in Florida as a result the strawberry harvest is currently yielding much less than typical volumes for this time of year. Additionally, Mexican supplies have tightened
Blackberries and raspberries: Starting to see improvement in supplies as the Baja California region of Mexico has begun harvest
Blueberries: The Blueberry supplies from Chile are improving
Celery- MPG is moving back into sleeved celery in response to some store concerns regarding the handling of the sleeveless
Citrus
Clementines: Stores often mistake easy-peel or loose-skin varieties of clementines as defective products. We are seeing extremely high credit requests from some stores that are making this assumption. The product is not decayed; in fact, if it is peeled and sampled, you will find that it is one of the better-eating varieties of Clementines we will receive all year. Please check the fruit before requesting credit.
Navel Oranges: California fruit is in stores, quality is good
Lemons: Good supply and quality as we have transitioned to California.
Grapes: The industry has moved into the Peruvian and Chilean import deal quality is good although supplies are tight
Apples: New crop apples are available. This year’s crop is smaller than last year's. Honeycrisp volume is down 30% year over year
Avocados: Tightening supplies, restricted harvests, and border challenges have caused the market to rise. We are seeing demand increase as is typical this time of year
Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Mini Watermelons Imports – Late vessels and limited harvests in South America have created a severe industry-wide shortage.
Hothouse-
Beefsteak Tomatoes – Rising market and extremely tight supplies as a result of damage to the field-grown tomatoes from the hurricanes
TOV –Tomato supplies remain tight as the field-grown product is extremely short due to hurricane damage
Colored Peppers – Moderate supplies, Canadian crops are all done and Spanish bells are now permitted into the USA.
Hydro Cukes– Good supplies and currently promotable
Eastern Vegetables- Rising markets with current cold weather in Florida and low yields from this fall planting gaps
Hurricane Helene and Milton's gaps in the planting cycles have created corresponding gaps in the harvest. We will continue to see this impact into February
Green beans: Extremely short crop, not currently promotable
Green Pepper: Very tight supply as a result of the hurricane damage in Florida and cool weather
Field-grown tomatoes: 85% of Florida’s crop was wiped out and needs replanting, leading to limited supply through January. This will also affect hot house market demand.
Cucumbers, squash, corn, bell pepper, and eggplant – tight supplies as we have hit the window the planting gaps this past fall left in the harvest
Nature sweet- MPG is removing the snacking tomatoes from the catalog for the next several weeks as they cannot cover orders
Lettuces and Leafy Greens: The transition to Yuma is complete and quality has been excellent, we will be in that growing region until March
We still have a handful of stores taking invalid credit on Iceberg and Romaine hearts. Rib discoloration does not mean the product is out of grade and if only cap leaves are affected credit is not appropriate... The quality evaluation on all lettuce needs to follow two criteria and credit should not be requested if one of these things is not present:
1. Decay
2. Discoloration affecting the product deeper than the first three leaves If it is just brown or pink discoloration on the bottom of the iceberg head it is in grade and credit should not be requested.
Limes: Mexican harvest restrictions and demand are driving markets higher
Mango- Good supplies as Peru and Ecuador containers arrive. Honey mangoes will be unavailable until February
Onions: We continue to see a rising market with extremely tight supplies of white onions. Yellow onions are in storage in the Northwest and will take us into March with an adequate supply
Pears: Bartlett supplies from Washington have increased, but quality is variable. Bosc and Anjou's market pricing remains strong as yields are due to early-year freezes
Potatoes: Russet harvest is complete. The smaller sizes are limited this season with an abundance of the 40-60cts available
