Week 13, 2024

Apples and Pears

Washington Organic Apples are in excellent supply on the following varieties: Cosmic Crisp, Envy, Fuji, Gala, Gold Delicious, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Lady Alice, Opal, Pazazz, Pinata, and Pink Lady. Organic SugarBee Apples will wind down for the season by late April or early May. Imported Organic Abate Pears are now available, and imported Organic Green Bartlett Pears are in good supply. Limited supplies of Organic Red Bartlett Pears are now available.

Asparagus and Brussels Sprouts

As Easter draws near, Organic Brussels Sprouts are in high demand. Overall quality is good, costs are competitive, and supplies are robust. Organic Asparagus continues to be promotable out of Mexico for Easter. The quality has been excellent. Pricing will begin to rise after the holiday as harvests slow down.

Onions

The Organic Onion market is tighter with Texas and Mexican supplies becoming more limited as rain has impacted harvests. Both Mexico and Texas are expected to be in better shape on supply the first week of April with the full complement of Organic Yellow, Red, White, and Sweet Onions.

Citrus

Continue to push and promote Organic Mandarins through April. “Murcott” and “Tango” are the current varieties, and show top notch quality, and Organic Cara Cara and Blood Oranges are in peak season. Organic Navel Oranges are very large right now with 56’s, 72’s, and anything smaller being difficult to procure. Organic Lemons have consistent pricing and solid demand.

Hard Squash

Organic Acorn, Butternut, Spaghetti, and Kabocha Squash are in decent supply with steady pricing. Organic Delicata Squash will gap until late April.

Celery

Production has not improved, despite expectations that Organic Celery from Mexico and the West Coast’s desert regions would boost promotional volumes and pricing. As transition draws near, conditions are predicted to get worse in April resulting in tighter supplies and higher prices.

Squash

Organic Zucchini Squash is promotable out of Mexico with outstanding quality Organic Yellow Squash is starting to see some relief in pricing as we and overall Quality is exceptional.

Mangos

Organic Round Mangos from Mexico are in good supply, with pricing expected to dip. The early flush of Organic Ataulfo Honey Mangos has slowed down and supplies are short. This is expected to be temporary with promotional opportunities coming in April as supplies improve.

Broccoli and Cauliflower

Organic Broccoli from California is still widely available, reasonably priced, and showing excellent quality. Conditions are predicted to rapidly shift in early April; however, additional Organic Broccoli from North Carolina will enter the market in early April as their season begins. Although Organic Cauliflower is still accessible, supplies are rapidly decreasing as the end of the desert season draws near. These conditions will affect pricing and availability, but they should pass quickly as early April will see a return to typical volume levels.