Week 42, 2023

Apples

Mid-October marks the peak season for most varieties of Organic Apples as rowers in Washington State are Harvesting,, packing, and also putting product into storage. Organic Gala, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Swee-Tango Apples are promotable and show great quality. Organic Fuji Apples are struggling with size and color; however, in the next couple of weeks, things should improve. Organic Lil Snapper Apple pouch bags are available to promote. New crop Washington Organic Envy Apples are now available, with Organic Lady Alice Apples also available out of Washington Fan-favorite, sweet, and crisp Organic SugarBee Apples out of Washington, are back and quality is outstanding. Mini snack sized Organic Rockit Apples are also in season and available in 3lb “Shuttle” containers made from 80% recycled plastic.

Celery

Throughout October, California-grown Organic Celery has remained very steady, with excellent quality and competitive cost. Market conditions are likely to change as November draws near. As demand for this Thanksgiving staple always rises in November, volume is not anticipated to be a problem, but shifting market dynamics will result in higher prices as the Thanksgiving holiday draws near.

Broccoli & Cauliflower

Organic Broccoli prices are expected to come down, with promotional opportunities available for the duration of October. As conditions gradually become healthier, Organic Broccoli Rabe and Sweet Baby Broccoli pricing is anticipated to improve along with both commodities’ volume. Due to decreasing harvest yields, Organic Cauliflower prices are rising rapidly. Through November, these circumstances are anticipated to persist.

Tropicals

Organic Hass Avocado supplies are promotable despite heavy rain in Mexico that prevented harvests for most of early October. Equal Exchange Organic Fair Trade Hass Avocados are also promotable. Organic Pineapples supplies remain steady and Organic Dragon Fruit from California will be also steady for the rest of October. Organic Kiwano Melons and Organic Passion Fruit from California will be available in limited quantities while California grown Organic Keitt Mangos are showing limited availability. Pricing is higher, but fruit quality has been excellent. Organic Papayas from Mexico will be more limited for the next few weeks due to a tropical storm and heavy rains associated with it.

Berries

Organic Raspberries remain promotable for mid-October and quality has been excellent. Organic Blackberry pricing is increasing as supplies are limited out of California/Mexico. Mexico has had some rains, and There is a pending storm expected to hit the region that could reduce supplies very quickly. Organic Blueberry supplies remain limited with very high pricing Peru is expected to see better fill rates heading into Thanksgiving but expect limits and shortages. Organic Strawberry pricing will increase next week as California production slows down. Expect pricing to continue to increase over the next few weeks as supplies wind down quickly.

Lettuce

October is Organic Lettuce season in the Mid-Atlantic, with growers in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey offering consistent supply the steady production of Organic Romaine, Green Leaf, and Red Leaf Lettuce. Additionally, New Jersey is being relied on for Organic Butter Lettuce as Pennsylvania producers are not harvesting until later in October. Harvests of Organic Iceberg Lettuce in New Jersey are currently underway, and it is anticipated that there will be a plentiful supply until the end of October. Organic Romaine Hearts remain marketable in October with high quality and excellent volume out of California.

Asparagus

Organic Asparagus is coming from Mexico, Argentina, and Ecuador with outstanding quality. Mexico will be crossing more into the end of October. Argentina is having a struggle with yields and will need to lean on Mexican production into the end of October.