Organic Market Update: Feb. 3-9Organic Market Update: Feb. 3-9

Soft Squash

Organic Green Squash continues to face challenges with both availability and high prices. It remains in short supply to start February.

Organic Yellow Squash is also facing limitations and when available, quality issues have been observed. High prices for Organic Squash will linger until the weather warms in Mexico and Florida growing regions.

Cucumbers

Organic Cucumbers from Mexico continue to show good availability, and pricing remains favorable. This pricing will start February with a great opportunity for promotions.

Tomatoes

Canadian and Mexican greenhouse Organic Cluster and Beefsteak Tomatoes will once again be consistently available for purchase starting in February. Costs remain slightly elevated, but pricing is expected to ease in early February with the potential for promotions. Organic Roma Tomatoes are coming on in improved volumes allowing for more promotable pricing. Fair Trade Organic Heirloom Tomatoes from Mexico are coming into peak season with steady availability.

Florida grown Organic Snacking Tomatoes are starting to yield better harvests following disruptions from fall hurricanes and January cold weather. Lady Moon Organic Grape, Cherry, Orange Cherry and Rainbow Cherry Tomato 12/1pt clamshells are improving in availability for February.

Related:Mango harvest moving north into Mexico

Berries

Organic Blackberries out of Mexico remain promotable with steady supplies and pricing on shipper labels. Higher-priced Driscoll’s Organic Blackberries are showing excellent quality and good flavor with steady volume. Organic Blueberries will remain available from Chile and Mexico. Supplies from Mexico are lighter, with the majority of volume coming from Chile. Quality has been excellent.

Organic Strawberry harvest production is increasing out of Baja, Mexico. Pricing has eased significantly ahead of Valentine’s Day and supplies are in good shape. Quality on new fruit has been outstanding. Organic Raspberries remain limited and priced higher than usual. This is expected to persist through most of February. However, quality has been excellent for available fruit.

Pineapple

Organic Pineapple supplies have tightened to start February. Six ct, 7 ct and 8 ct sizes will be available but in limited volumes. Expect slight price increases.

Apples

Washington Organic Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith and Honeycrisp Apples are becoming more limited with prices on the rise. This trend is expected to continue for the remainder of the season, most noticeably on Organic Honeycrisp.

To make up for the inability to promote Organic Honeycrisp this season, retailers are encouraged to promote affordable Organic Cosmic Crisp Apples. Organic Envy Apples and Organic Sugarbee Apples are other good options.

Related:New regulations enhance integrity of organic imports

Celery

For February, Organic Celery conditions are improving. Costs continue to decline as more volume becomes available. By mid-February, expect stable prices, consistent availability, and high quality.

Broccoli and Cauliflower

There are plentiful amounts of Organic Cauliflower and Organic Broccoli being harvested in the West Coast desert areas. These two items continue to make excellent promotional choices with their outstanding quality and affordable prices.

Promote these leading up to the Big Game as they are great candidates for vegetable platters. Prices will start to change in mid-February due to colder temperatures in these growing regions. Seize any sales opportunities before prices start to shift.