Organic Market Update: July 26 - August 1

Berries

Promote Organic Blueberries while you can in late July and early August. Organic Blueberry pricing is slightly increasing due to reduced production but remains favorable for good price points. Volume is slowing from the Pacific Northwest due to heat and weather with Michigan also harvesting limited numbers, however quality has been very good from both regions with both 6 oz pint and 18 oz packs available. Organic Strawberries are promotable from California, with excellent quality and taste. Pricing remains aggressive with some expected flushes into early August. Organic Raspberries remain steady from California with no changes in production or price. Quality continues to be very good. Organic Blackberries are steady from California with no changes in production or price. Quality remains high with good-tasting fruit.

Stone Fruit

Organic Stone Fruit has been affected by the heat with California facing one of the longest and highest heat waves in its history. Expect tighter fruit supplies and stronger markets on some items. Washington Organic Peaches and Nectarines have started and should continue until the end of September, providing some relief for California supplies. Organic Red and Black Plums remain promotable with excellent flavors and good supplies. Organic Pluots are in season too! Organic Cherries are also nearing the end of their season as many high elevation orchards suffered frost damage this spring. Small sizing prevails in the supply pipeline. Organic Apricots will finish for the season at the end of July.

Potatoes

Organic Russet Potatoes will begin harvesting from Washington state in August. Expect smaller “count” Organic Russet Potatoes initially, with larger counts shipping around mid-August. Wisconsin will begin with Organic Russet and Organic Red and Yellow Potatoes around the same time, with pricing relief expected around mid-August.

Avocados

Organic Hass Avocado supplies remain snug with fluctuating market prices. Pricing will be slightly down with high-quality fruit showing very high oil content. Smaller 60ct fruit is particularly tight, with most fruit being 48ct size or larger.

Grapes

New crop Organic Grapes from California’s Central Valley are currently in season but struggling with Red and Black Grape volumes to start in the high heat. Organic Green Grapes are still in good supply. Organic Champagne Grapes (mini Red Seedless with tender stems) will be in season for a short time through early August.

Melons

Organic Mini Seedless Watermelons continue to be promotable from South Carolina and California, with excellent quality. Organic Seedless Watermelons from California are of excellent

quality and taste. Pennsylvania is expected to start harvests around early August. Organic Cantaloupe and Honeydew have shown improved sizing with the Central Valley crop providing a nice mix of sizes. Expect prices to continue decreasing as a result, leading to more favorable prices.

Figs

Organic Brown Turkey Figs are now in season. Black Mission Figs will follow shortly. Both varieties are expected to last throughout the summer, barring any weather events.

Apples

Organic Cosmic Crisp Apples remain promotable with excellent quality, as some say flavor sets better as they store. Supplies are expected to last until the new crop arrives in December. Organic Honeycrisp and Granny Smith Apples from Washington show no gap between crops in August and September. A slight gap may occur with Gala, Fuji and Pink Lady Apples, but it is expected to last only a week or two, helping to clear the pipeline for the new crop to arrive. New crop Organic SweeTango and Rockit Apples are expected to arrive in early September, with Organic Opal and SugarBee Apples following in early October and Organic Pinata in mid-November.