Organic Market Update: Oct. 25-Nov. 1Organic Market Update: Oct. 25-Nov. 1

Fall Fruit

Fresh Organic Cranberries are in peak season! Organic Pomegranates are in peak season for the fall and in good supply. A large size and smaller value option will be offered for the duration of the California season. Organic Pomegranate Arils are an excellent ready-to-eat convenience item. Supplies are steady. Promote these in the berry section under refrigeration. Organic Fuyu (flat) and Hachiya (cone) Persimmons are steady from California. Supplies should be steady for the fall! Be sure to get these two varieties on your shelves. Organic Brown Turkey Figs from California will be very limited as we finish up October. Last call on Organic Kiwi Berries! Get them from Oregon while they last!

Apples/Pears

Washington Organic Envy, Kanzi, Lucy Rose (red flesh) and Opal Apples are all in season with nice quality. Watch for the transition from old crop to new crop Organic Pink Lady Apples during late October and early November. Organic Asian Pears out of the Pacific Northwest got hit with a windstorm and the remaining crop has been lost. Look for the transition back to California over the next couple of weeks. New crop Washington Organic Concorde Pears have arrived with very nice quality.

Color Bell Peppers

Organic Red, Yellow and Orange Bell Pepper markets have changed upward as we head towards November. There is very little import product as Canada has finished and Mexico does not have a ton of volume to support demand following their recent flush. This is especially true of Reds. Yellows and Oranges are in a little better shape. Expect this to continue into at least the middle to end of November and we are in a transitional period.

Related:Retail strategies to prepare for organic produce supply challenges, shortages

Mangos/Pineapples

California Organic Keitt Mangos will end during the last week of October. Ecuador fruit will bridge the gap in Organic Mangos as we head into November. “Tommy Atkins” fruit will be lower priced than the domestic California “Keitt” pricing by several dollars. Organic Pineapples are promotable with extra volume on 7ct. Good supply will carry into early November.

Warm Veg

Fall crop Organic Veg items from NJ will continue to roll with Peppers, Cucumbers,

Squash, Cabbage and Eggplant. Weather pending, they are expected to last into the middle of November. Organic Cucumbers and Green Squash are two items with promotable pricing due to volume exceeding demand coming out of Mexico. On the other hand, Organic Eggplant, Green Pepper and Yellow Squash prices are expected to stay elevated due to the lack of Florida productions.

Related:Organic Market Update: Jan. 13-17

Lettuce

Promote Organic Romaine and Leaf Lettuces as there’s still a substantial supply of Organic Romaine and Leaf Lettuce from California and New Jersey that is of nice quality and reasonably priced. In Mid-October, Organic Iceberg Lettuce from New Jersey continues to thrive after a vigorous start to the month. Through late October, good availability and a fair price are expected. California Organic Romaine Hearts continue to be promotable. Continue high-lighting and enlarging displays to boost sales.

Broccoli/Cauliflower

In late October, California Organic Broccoli generally remains in good supply and prices have begun to improve as a result of the increased supply volume. In addition, North Carolina-grown Organic Broccoli Crowns and Bunches started to appear in mid-October. In late October and early November, expect exceptional quality, extensive availability and seasonally appropriate prices. Limited quantities of Organic Stem Broccoli Stalks from Lancaster County, PA will be available into early November. The volume of Organic Cauliflower has improved for late October, which has helped the price. Production will start to tighten again during November.

Berries

Organic Blueberries will be promotable out of Peru. Pricing will drop significantly and supplies will be plentiful. Volumes are expected to increase through mid-November. Quality has been excellent. Organic Blackberry production out of Mexico is expected to increase as weather continues to improve. Quality is getting better with each arrival. California production is finishing for the season. Supplies will be limited. Organic Raspberry supply will begin decreasing out of Mexico as there is a gap expected in plantings. Pricing is expected to increase. Quality has been good. Organic Strawberry production is de-creasing out of California. Pricing will increase as the season finishes. Mexico production should begin with limited supplies over the next few weeks.

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