Week 45 2024 Market update
Hurricane Helene and Milton The recent hurricanes have significantly impacted vegetable crops in Georgia and Florida. Short-term, this has damaged current crops, while long-term, planting delays will lead to product shortages this winter.
Green beans: 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.
Strawberries: Strawberry supplies are extremely short right now and we anticipate prorates for the next couple of weeks. We are in the worst time of the year for Strawberries. 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 through us though until Florida but, this is the time of year when it critical to reduce allocation and order for quick turns.
Mixed Berries: Blackberry volumes have increased out of Mexico. we expect promotable volume this month. Raspberries are in good supply and also harvesting in Mexico.
Blueberries: Supplies have increased out of Peru and will be very promotable for the foreseeable future.
Clementines: The California clementine harvest starts in 1-2 weeks, California product should be available before Thanksgiving
Navel Oranges: Extremely tight supplies, California fruit is arriving this week and will help alleviate the shortage.
Lemons: Good supply and quality as we have transitioned to California.
Limes: Good supply, promotable volumes
Grapes: California harvest wrapping up in a couple weeks. We are seeing some minor issues with coloring and brix levels, but overall supply and sizing are excellent.
Apples: The new crop apples are available. This year’s crop is smaller than last year. Honeycrisp volume down 30% year over year.
Asparagus: Markets have leveled as Mexican harvest is in full swing, anticipate good supplies for Thanksgiving.
Avocados: Good supplies, promotable volumes
Cantaloupe and Honeydew: Import Cantaloupes have started, with honeydews and mini watermelons coming late November
Green Peppers: Supplies are extremely tight; we won’t see much relief until Florida gets started.
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
Beefsteak and TOV: Rising markets from the hurricane damage to the field grown crops
Nature Sweet Snacking tomatoes: Good supply on all items
Colored Peppers: Tight supplies, Canada has finished for the season putting more pressure on the Mexican crop.
Cukes/mini cukes: Supplies improving and markets are leveling
Lettuces and Leafy Greens: Quality is excellent on the iceberg and Romaine hearts as we have transitioned to a new growing region in Huron.
Watermelon: Watermelon cartons out of South Carolina in good supply. We expect the off shore deal to begin this month, mini watermelon will start towards the end of November
Mango- Markets have begun to level as Ecuador containers arrive. Honey mangoes will be available next week
Onions: Northwest onion deal has started with plentiful supplies and good quality.
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
