Market Update #350

Week 50, 2023

Apples

Organic Apples are primed for promotion this winter with amazing quality, good selection, and affordable pricing. Organic Envy Apples are plentiful outside of Washington. This apple is a combination of the bestselling Gala and Braeburn varieties that was developed in New Zealand and is now taking over the US. Organic SugarBee and Rockit Apples are also good varieties to promote right now. New crop Organic Cosmic Crisp Apples are plentiful in full 40lb tray pack boxes. Varieties in great supply from the Pacific Northwest include Organic Ambrosia Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Lady Alice, Pink Lady, Rockit, SugarBee, and SweeTango Apples. Organic Opal Apples are one of the only apples that are limited right now due in part to high pack outs of small fruit and lower grades.

Citrus

Organic Navel Oranges are readily available with the early Fukumoto/Beck varieties, and quality out of California has been great. Organic Clementine and Satsuma Mandarins are in peak supply, with bag and bulk options available. Organic Lemons from California continue to show great quality as prices are slowly coming down. Organic Cara Cara Navel Oranges will arrive the week before Christmas.

Specialty Citrus

Organic Specialty Citrus now available includes Satsuma Mandarins, Limequats, Meyer Lemons, Pink Variegated Lemons, Sweet Palestinian Limes, Fairchild Mandarins, African Shaddock Pummelos, Chandler Pummelos, Red Globe Pummelos, Buddha Hands. Gift boxes of Organic Mandarins, as well as bulk and bags of Organic Heirloom Navel Oranges are also readily available.

Lettuce

There is an abundance of Organic Leaf and Romaine Lettuce coming from both East and West Coasts. While Organic Red Leaf Lettuce has started a bit slowly, Florida has started with heavy volumes on Organic Green Leaf and Romaine Lettuce. Production from California has shifted to the growing regions of Yuma, Arizona and El Centro, California-----and both output and quality are strong. Sustained supplies of Organic Iceberg Lettuce and Romaine Hearts are coming from the southern West Coast regions. Volumes and pricing should remain stable throughout December.

Brussels Sprouts

California Organic Brussels Sprouts production stabilized in the first part of December. Even though supplies are becoming more readily available, production costs have remained high in December due to a lack of overall market availability. Anticipate much of the same through the holiday season.

Peppers

Organic Color Bell Peppers are extremely tight. Canada is finished and Mexico is just starting to ramp up production. Right now, Israel is the only growing region with Organic Color Bell Peppers available and their logistics for exporting are constrained due to the conflict. The market is expected to improve slightly in time for Christmas with Mexico expected to start in mid-December.

Broccoli/Cauliflower

East Coast Organic Broccoli is widely available as Californian production in the southern growing region has started to rise. During the holiday season, there will be a robust supply volume and competitive pricing. The Organic Cauliflower market will start to weaken as the holidays draw near, and more supply becomes available. Expect reasonable prices and consistent availability for the holidays.