Vegetables
Asparagus
Market active as Mexico production in the main growing region starts to wind down. Peru arrivals are improving but supply chain issues continue to disrupt the production ramp up. End of April expected to struggle with supply.
Artichokes
Active markets and shorter supplies to be seen for the next 7 days.
Avocados–Alert
The industry has seen a steady decline in harvest and shipments out of Mexico over the past few weeks. With the no-harvest days this week for Holy Week, the limited availability and harvest are expected to continue affecting the overall market. The crops from Mexico and California continue to peak on grade 1 fruit, size 60 and smaller. Markets are active.
Broccoli & Cauliflower
Supplies improved on both for this week.
Brussel Sprouts–Alert
Over the last few months when sprouts were in heavy supplies, growers had to walk by fields. Lack of supplies coupled with warm weather has caused the sprouts to be very large in sizing and border crossings are not helping the situation either. Trucks are delayed 1-2 days just waiting for reefers to become available to re load in Mexico. Market will be active, and supplies will be short for the next 2-3 weeks.
Carrots–Alert
No change on the carrots out of CA. Suppliers still are struggling at times with capacity issues on snack packs. Jumbos are still short out of CA and one shipper has stopped shipping Jumbos in cartons. Carrot sticks for some also remain a challenge with the main carrot processor only packing a 2-inch stick, instead of a 4-inch stick.
Corn–Alert
Florida spring crop has started; reports of sporadic supply and quality varies by grower. Cool morning temps have kept size and maturity at a lower level; expect better volume by the end of the week. Mexico supplies extremely limited as the season winds down over the next 10 days.
Cucumbers–Alert
Florida cucumber supply is good, quality good and demand very strong, market steady at current prices. Mexico supplies still very tight, good demand and market active.
Garlic
Supplies of CA Garlic continue to dwindle down. As a result, more product from Argentina to be seen in the coming weeks.
Green Beans–Alert
Florida bean supply lighter, demand strong and market trying to get better for the weekend. Mexico still very limited supplies at this time due to gap in production; expect new supplies in the next 2-3 weeks.
Iceberg, Leaf and Romaine
Markets on iceberg, romaine and romaine hearts are starting to adjust as demand has calmed and new growing regions have started. Market is expected to be unsettled still for the next 7-10 days as the transition from AZ to CA wraps up.
Onions
Market active, Mexico border issues, if prolonged, will start to have a deeper impact as Texas does not have all the volume without support. S California will start next week. WA/ID markets softer as they are now in clean up mode, Texas firmer with rain and border issues. Quality varies by region.
Peppers –Alert
Florida green bell supply light, with active markets. Red and yellow bells very short supply. West green bells remain short and will continue to be short for another week or more; Mexico production winding down quickly and California slowly ramping up. Red and yellow starting to finish in mainland Mexico, volume in Baja picking up.
Tomato –Alert
Tomato market remains unchanged out east. Availability will improve as the transition from South FL to Central FL is completed in the next 1-2 weeks. Markets from Mexico remain unchanged on round, roma, and grapes.
