Market update #373

MAY 24 - MAY 31, 2024

Stone Fruit

California Organic Apricots are in plentiful supply with promotions coming in June. Organic Dark Sweet Cherries are limited out of California through late May. Better supplies are expected in mid-June once Washington gets underway. Organic Rainier Cherries are expected to start right after Memorial Day and be very limited for a couple of weeks, then will gap until Washington gets started later in June. Organic White and Yellow Nectarines are now in good supply out of California with regard to smaller fruit. Size improvements are expected as we move into June and July. Organic Peaches out of California are now promotable in larger sizing and should continue to be available going forward. These are joined by a nice crop of South Carolina Fair-Trade Organic Eastern Peaches. California Organic White Peaches are expected to arrive for the last week of May and should be in good supply moving forward. Organic Plums are expected to begin right around the first week of June and a good crop is expected.

Melons

Organic Mini Seedless Watermelons continue out of Mexico with some California production. Quality has been excellent and pricing has eased off some. Organic Seedless Watermelons continue to be available out of Mexico. There is limited availability starting out of California as well, which should become available in early June. Quality has been excellent, and fruit is eating great. Organic Cantaloupes and Honeydews from Mexico are extremely tight for the rest of May, but early California crop will bring some relief to this market for the beginning of June.

Berries

Organic Raspberries will be very promotable as Baja, Mexico and California are flush with product. Quality has been exceptional with nice big, firm, tasty fruit. Organic Blueberries continue to be very promotable out of Georgia. Quality has been very nice. Organic Strawberries continue to be available out of California. Quality has been excellent. Pricing has firmed up some but, overall, they are still very promotable. Organic Blackberries will inch up in price as the heavy flush starts to slow down out of Mexico. Quality continues to be excellent, and price points are still reasonable.

Celery

The supply of Organic Celery in California is still limited, and it is running out in Mexico. Quality is fair. Although the quality has increased somewhat, the cost is still extremely high and the supply shortage continues. Although the Salinas supply is looking promising so far, the harvest won’t begin until June. Market conditions are expected to worsen until the second week of June due to shortages.

Cauliflower

California Organic Cauliflower quickly gained momentum in the middle of May, and these promising conditions will persist into early June. The objective is for a steady supply, excellent quality and reasonable costs.

Broccoli

In late May, the volume of Organic Broccoli grown in California is staying constant. Volumes are anticipated to rise and prices to decline for early June. After Memorial Day, anticipate excellent quality, consistent available supply and lower prices.

Potatoes

Old crop Organic Russet Potatoes will start to wind down out of Washington. Some old crop Colorado Organic Russet Potatoes should bridge the gap until new crop California Organic Russet Potatoes get started toward the middle to end of June.