Market update #371

MAY 10 - MAY 17, 2024

Melons

California Organic Snap Peas will be in season for May. Look for compostable packaging for Organic Sugar Snap Peas at promotional volumes and prices. These environmentally friendly packages make excellent displays and give customers a simple “grab and go” option! California is also in season with Organic Fava Beans, Purple Kohlrabi, and Purple Snap Peas. Organic Rhubarb (15lb.) is now being harvested in Pennsylvania through Memorial Day. Washington Organic Rhubarb is in excellent supply, offering a significant value in the 20lb. box. Organic Snow Peas remain out of season and unavailable.

Mangos and Avocados

There are great supplies available on Organic Mandarin Oranges well into the season, despite some growers having already concluded. Surprisingly, prices have remained consistent. Organic Cara Cara Oranges are extremely tight and have high prices. Expect limited availability and premium prices until supply runs dry. Similar to the Organic Cara Cara Orange market, Organic Navel Oranges are at a premium price with very limited supply. District 1 (California Central Valley) is finishing up, causing Organic Lemon supply to tighten and markets to strengthen due to District 2’s (California Coastal) crop not being strong enough to support the category on its own. Organic Blood Mandarins and Minneolas have finished up for the season.

Lettuce

Anticipate the arrival of the first California Organic Cherries in the middle of May, followed by a robust crop from Washington in the next month or so. Cherries are going to start two weeks earlier than last year, which should be great for both California and Washington growers. Look for promotions after Memorial Day. Organic Apricots will arrive in early May, anticipate ample supply for the upcoming months. As the pipeline fills up over early May, look for a decrease in the pricing. Anticipate excellent quality fruit, which should increase in size over the rest of the month. The first California Organic White Peaches are due around May 8. The first Organic Yellow Peaches of the season are expected to start in the second or third week of May in both South Carolina and California. Once they start, expect a very nice-sized crop that will provide delicious fruit and promotable pricing for the rest of the season.

Tomatoes

Organic Hass Avocado supplies were steady through the Cinco de Mayo holiday. Continue promoting for the first part of May. 48 and 60-ct. fruit are the most popular and will be available in good supply. As the season draws to a close for their growers, Equal Exchange Fair Trade is experiencing a shortage of fruit.

Apples and Pears

It is time to start promoting Organic Mangos, with great supplies of 10–12 ct. fruit. With current pricing being quite competitive, there is an opportunity to build large displays and watch the fruit fly out the door! The Organic Ataulfo Mango variety will also be available starting in May on 18 ct. There will be a limited supply of large-sized fruit.

Green Beans

Organic Brussels Sprouts from Mexico are still in great supply and their quality and cost continue to be unmatched. Conditions will start to change in the middle of May as the Mexican growing season comes to an end. Promote constantly, as long as the supply remains favorable. USA Organic Asparagus will be promotable at the start of May in California and New Jersey. There is still some Mexican production available as well. We will do our best to support the short domestic season, and the quality has been excellent. Expect Michigan to begin through the middle of May.

Celery

Promotions for Organic Broccoli Rabe and Organic Sweet Baby Broccoli will be available in May, including a Regenerative Organic program. Increase the display size to bring in more revenue! Early May will see a consistent supply of Organic Broccoli, due to the fact that both the East and West coasts will continue to produce it. As May continues, there will be some supply constraints from the West Coast; however, the addition of East Coast production will help supplement at a more affordable price. The price of Organic Cauliflower is still very high, but the quality is still excellent. We predict better fortune for May as volume rises and costs start to drop.

Stone Fruit

Organic Strawberries from California are very promotable ahead of Mother’s Day. Quality is excellent and supplies are plentiful. Fair Trade fruit from Baja is still coming in, but we will be fully transitioning to Salinas/Watsonville, California, fruit exclusively moving forward. Organic Blackberries will be promotable out of Mexico. The quality has been excellent. USA production is still about a month away. Organic Blueberries are becoming more promotable out of the Southeast. Georgia numbers continue to increase, and pricing has eased off to much more reasonable levels. The quality of the new fruit is exceptional. are steady overall. Supplies will be fairly tight as demand for the Mother’s Day holiday is strong. As we get closer to the holidays, expect some reduced availability. 

Berries

Organic Strawberries from California are very promotable ahead of Mother’s Day. Quality is excellent and supplies are plentiful. Fair Trade fruit from Baja is still coming in, but we will be fully transitioning to Salinas/Watsonville, California, fruit exclusively moving forward. Organic Blackberries will be promotable out of Mexico. The quality has been excellent. USA production is still about a month away. Organic Blueberries are becoming more promotable out of the Southeast. Georgia numbers continue to increase, and pricing has eased off to much more reasonable levels. The quality of the new fruit is exceptional. are steady overall. Supplies will be fairly tight as demand for the Mother’s Day holiday is strong. As we get closer to the holidays, expect some reduced availability.