Organic Market Update: Aug. 23-29

Lettuce

Organic Romaine Hearts are in peak supply from California with outstanding quality and availability. This a great time to expand offerings and take advantage of favorable pricing. Organic Iceberg Lettuce from California also shows consistent production and affordable costs, offering promotional opportunities. Overall the Organic Lettuce category is experiencing steady availability. While Organic Leaf Lettuce production in Québec has decreased due to weather conditions, production in California remains strong, supplemented by the Northeast. Costs and availability are expected to remain consistent through August.

Specialty Fruit

Organic Brown Turkey and Black Mission Figs are going strong during the California peak season, with excellent quality available in 12/8 oz clamshells. Now through September will be the best time of the year to promote Organic Fresh Figs. Fresh Figs are delicate, so handle them with care and sell them from refrigerated displays—locations near berries or grapes usually works best. Several popular Florida-grown Organic Tropical items will be available through the end of August. Organic Starfruit, Green Skin Avocados and Longans are the highly anticipated new arrivals! These items add to the other assortment of Organic Cactus Leaves, Napoles, Water Coconuts, Jackfruit, Mamey and Sapodilla. Organic Black Muscadine Grapes continue to be in season from North Carolina for late August. Organic Bronze Muscadine Grapes will be available too and nice sweetness is expected.

Pears

New crop Organic Bartlett Pears from the Pacific Northwest now in peak season, with outstanding quality. However, the overall crop is about 25% short, due to a spring frost leading to stronger markets. The first Organic Starkrimson Red Pears from the Pacific Northwest are set to arrive early to start September, with a steady supply of good-sized fruit expected for the season.

Broccoli

Organic Broccoli from California continues to be steadily available. But as September approaches, yields are decreasing, leading to a rise in costs during the remainder of August. Québec’s production remains limited, causing further availability constraints, though quality has not been affected. These conditions are likely to persist into September. Organic Broccoli Rabe is currently experiencing a production gap due to quality issues, leading to limited or no availability throughout the remainder of August.

Berries

Organic Blackberries will see a slight price increase as summer production slows down. Quality out of California has been outstanding. Organic Blueberry pricing is increasing significantly as the Pacific Northwest crops finish. Quality from the Pacific Northwest has been hit-or-miss on arrival. Peruvian arrivals are sporadic and limited, but the quality has been excellent. We are finishing with our last Pacific Northwest arrivals and hope to transition to all Peruvian fruit over the end of August as it becomes available. Organic Raspberry availability will tighten up very quickly with imminent supply. Production has slowed down significantly out of California/Baja. Organic Strawberries are very limited, with supplies falling significantly and demand increasing. Prices will rise and expect pro-rates and limits over the end of August as supplies continue to trend downward.

Apples

Washington Organic Gala Apples have fully transitioned into the new crop with excellent quality and supply. This is the time to promote this item for back to school and fall snacking. Washington Organic Cosmic Crisp Apple prices are firming up as the storage crop supply tightens. New crop starts in late November. Washington storage crop and Organic Granny Smith and Organic Fuji Apple supplies are ending. Once the current supply is depleted at the start of September, we expect a gap until the 2024 new crop arrives toward the end of the month. There may be a few imports, but not enough to fill the gap. Washington-grown and imported Organic Pink Lady/Cripps Apples are limited and will be available intermittently until the new crop arrives in late October.

Mangos

Kent and Keitt Organic Mango have shifted supply to larger 8 and 9ct fruit for the remainder of the Mexican season. There will be no more 12ct fruit, and 10ct fruit will also be tighter. Look for some special non-hot-water-treated fruit available for a few weeks until the close of the season with excellent flavor and sweetness. Organic Ataulfo, Mallika and Nam Doc Mai Mangos are now done for the season.

Asparagus

Organic Asparagus will be very limited over the next two months as we transition from Central Mexico to Baja. Baja production will start slowly and will take a few weeks to reach decent volume.