Week 5, 2024

Citrus

Organic Mandarins show superb quality on the Tango variety from California. Organic Grapefruit is promotable with solid quality, and reasonable prices. The Organic Lemon market has dropped as supply is improving, while California Organic Navel Oranges are showing strong quality, and pricing consistent while supply peaks on XL and Jumbo sizes. Organic Cara Cara and Blood Oranges are peaking on larger fruit, with pricing remaining steady.

Avocados

Organic Hass Avocado supplies are expected to remain steady as we approach the “Big Game.” Equal Exchange brand Fair Trade Organic Hass Avocados from Mexico are in steady supply for February.

Hothouse Vegetables

Greenhouse grown Organic Hothouse Vegetables production has begun in the US. As more greenhouse growers start new crops, prices, beginning with Organic Tomatoes, may drop starting mid-February. Organic Euro Seedless Cucumbers and Organic Color Bell Peppers will follow.

Berries

Organic Blackberry supplies continue to increase from Mexico. Pricing will ease off to keep fruit moving, and quality has been excellent. Organic Blueberry supplies will continue to increase out of Chile. Quality has been very nice so far. Organic Strawberries are steady outside of Baja, California. Pricing will begin to ease slightly as an improvement in production is expected. Quality has been good in all regions. Greenhouse grown Organic Strawberries are available, while Organic Raspberries continue to be limited in Baja, California, and Central Mexico. The weather continues to be cool, keeping harvests light. Demand remains strong while supplies are expected to remain sparse into mid-February until temperatures improve.

Brussels Sprouts

January experienced an ongoing rise in the volume of Organic Brussels Sprouts as new production started in Mexico. Both Mexican and domestic quality have been exceptional.

Mangos

Peruvian Organic Mango supplies are extremely tight, with limited availability heading into February. The current variety of fruit is the Kent variety from Peru. Mexican Organic Mangoes are expected to start by the end of February in limited volumes.

Grapes

Organic Grapes are limited as South African vessels continue to face delays. There will be a slight gap in fruit for the start of February.

Lettuce

Organic Romaine Hearts and Iceberg Lettuce from Southern California and Arizona are still widely accessible, with outstanding quality, and reasonably priced. Supplies of Organic Romaine and Leaf Lettuce will come from the desert growing regions of the West Coast. Improvements in Florida production are expected in February on better growing conditions.