Week 49 2025 Market update
Hurricane Helene and Milton Planting delays will lead to product shortages this winter… gaps in the planting cycles will lead to gaps in the harvest this winter. We are starting to experience some of the effects
Green beans: Extremely short crop, not promotable for the holidays
Field grown tomatoes: 85% of Florida’s crop was wiped out and needs replanting, leading to limited supply until January. This will also affect hot house market demand.
Cucumbers, squash, corn, bell pepper, and eggplant – Moderate to good supplies in Georgia, but Florida’s delayed planting will cause a gap when Georgia’s harvest ends in two weeks.
Berries
Strawberries: At this point it should not be surprising to anyone that strawberries are a challenge this time of year. Any stores ordering excessive quantities and requesting credit will be pro-rated Please read and react to this update if you have not… strawberry supplies are extremely short, and we anticipate prorates for the next couple of weeks. No stores should be ordering, merchandising, or trying to sell large amounts of Strawberries at this point. We are in the worst time of the year for Strawberries from a quality and taste standpoint…. This is not the time of the year to be aggressively selling as they will not hold up and do not eat well. California is the only available growing region and will carry us through until Florida but, this is the time of year when it critical to reduce allocation and order for quick turns... delivery to delivery!!! Please do not over order to cherry pick or request credit on slightly bruised berries… any stores that are taking high credits will be prorated. Sell what you can but do not over merchandise or over order.
Mixed Berries: Blackberry volumes have increased out of Mexico…. We expect a promotable volume this month. Raspberries are in good supply and harvesting in Mexico.
Blueberries: Supplies have increased out of Peru and will be very promotable for the foreseeable future.
Citrus
Clementines: The California clementine harvest has started supplies are ramping and quality is good
Navel Oranges: California fruit is in stores, quality is good
Lemons: Good supply and quality as we have transitioned to California.
Limes: Good supply, promotable volumes
Grapes: California harvest has finished for the most part. The industry has moved into the Peruvian import deal early as a result of poor supply and quality issues
Apples: New crop apples are available. This year’s crop is smaller than last year. Honeycrisp volume down 30% year over year
Asparagus: Currently taking product of Peru, supplies are moderate
Avocados: Good supplies, promotable volumes
Cantaloupe and Honeydew: Import Cantaloupes have started, with honeydews and mini watermelons coming late in the month
Eastern Veg-
Green Peppers: Supply is good in Georgia
Corn: Tray pack only available
Green Beans: Hit hard from the hurricanes… very tight supply through the holidays
Zucchini and Yellow squash: Moderate supplies out of Georgia, volume will be limited once the harvest wraps up
Green Cabbage: Moderate supplies out of Georgia, volume will be limited once the harvest wraps up
Cucumbers: Improving supplies and leveling markets
Hothouse
Beefsteak Tomatoes Moderate supplies, markets will hold steady until western Mexico supply gets started in late December.
TOV –Good supplies, but markets will begin to tighten up through December and remain scarce until western Mexico starts in 2025
Colored Peppers – Moderate supplies, Canadian crop are all done. USDA has permitted Spanish bells into the USA. Markets will hold in the low $20s through January. Once February arrives, we will experience a drop in the market.
Hydro Cukes: Good supplies, currently promotable
Mini Cukes: Moderate supplies. When the Canadian season is over in a week, or two availabilities will tighten. Mexico will not start until the beginning of March
Lettuces and Leafy Greens: Transition to Yuma is underway, 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 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 tolerance and credit should not be requested.
Watermelon: supply is very tight on cartons out of Southwest Florida,
Mango- Good supplies as Peru and Ecuador containers arrive. Honey mangoes will be unavailable until February
Pears: Bartlett supplies from Washington have increased, but quality is variable. Bosc and Anjou 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
