Organic Market Update #332

Week 32, 2023 

Pears

A sure sign of mid-summer is the start of the California Organic Pear season, with Asian and Bartlett Pears now in season. It will be a slow start until supplies fill the pipeline, but good supplies are expected starting this month. The new crop Organic Bosc Pears will come in season from California later in the summer. And by late August and early September Organic Red Starkrimson Pears and Organic Green Bartlett Pears will also come into season from Oregon and Washington. 

Grapes

Organic Grapes are coming on strong, with good supplies and excellent quality of Red and Green Grapes from the San Joaquin Valley of California.  Organic Greens will primarily be the “Ivory” variety for early August, while the primary Organic Red varieties will be “Flames” and “Ruby Rush”. Organic Champagne and Organic Thomcord Grapes are also available. “Champagne” are mini-red seedless with thin-tender stems and high sugars. “Thomcord” are seedless Concord.  Organic Cotton Candy Grapes from Mexico are available for a last-of-the-season deal.

Lettuce

Due to weather-related supply challenges in Québec and Vermont, most Organic Leaf and Romaine Lettuces are being sourced mostly from California. The quality and price of California lettuces have remained stable and reasonable on consistent supplies. California Organic Romaine Hearts and Iceberg Lettuce also remain steady with excellent quality on reasonable pricing.

Broccoli & Cauliflower

Like lettuce, Organic Broccoli will be sourced from California for most of August. Pricing is beginning to rise as supplies are becoming sporadic as aphid pest issues reduce crop production.  By the middle to late of August, prorates and low stock levels are to be expected.  California Organic Cauliflower is available and promotable in early August, as there has been no drop in supplies or quality. 

Stone Fruit

Peak season continues with Organic Peaches and Nectarines with yellow-flesh fruit from California and Washington available and readily promotable. White-flesh Organic Peaches and Nectarines are in steady production from California. Organic Red and Black Plums continue in peak season from California with “Catalina” and “Friar” varieties on Black and “Fortune” on Red.

Mangoes

Kent variety Organic Mangos are coming from Mexico, ad will transition to Organic Mexican “Keitt” Mangos around the middle of August. Organic Ataulfo Mangos will start to wind down their supply outside of Mexico the beginning of August, with last arrivals around the middle of August. Organic “Nam Doc Mai” Mangos from Mexico will briefly be in season in the first half of August.

Avocados

60-ct Organic Hass Avocados are available from both Mexico and California. There are good supplies on the 60-ct fruit, with 48-ct and larger fruit extremely limited. Pricing has jumped significantly over the course of the past month, as supplies are low on big fruit.