Organic Market Update #217

Week 19, 2021

 Stone Fruit

The first Organic Cherries of the season have arrived and show outstanding quality. The California crop will be a little sporadic in volume through May and early June. Expect prices to remain firm due to Covid labor issues, and freight costs. California Organic Yellow Peaches have started production, with supplies expected to improve each week as more varieties become available. South Carolina growers will have their first Organic Yellow Peaches harvesting this week. California Organic Apricots and White Peaches are also just getting started, with first first arrivals expected later this week. California Organic Nectarines will come into season around Memorial Day, and California Organic Plums are expected to begin in late May, with Organic Pluots production starting in early July.

 Lettuce

Organic Green Leaf, Red Leaf and Romaine Lettuce are producing strong yields to begin Georgia's season. Expect pricing to improve this week, and promotional opportunities to arise on all three items during May. Organic Iceberg Lettuce remains steady from California with excellent quality, with pricing expected to improve throughout May. Organic Romaine Hearts from California show strong volumes and improving prices as quality has been outstanding.

 Carrots

Organic Carrot production in California is starting a challenging period of very tight supplies, low yields, and high costs. Shippers have instituted a weekly volume cap on all cello bags, plus a temporary surcharge; Freight rates are hiking costs as well.

Greens and Kales

Organic Greens and Kales from Georgia are beginning to ramp up in supplies. Products from Georgia, Pennsylvania, and California will continue to increase supplies throughout the month to meet demand.

Mangos

Container delays caused an unexpected gap in Organic Fair Trade Haitian Mangos, but good volume is expected throughout the rest of May. Mexico-grown Organic Honey Ataulfo Mangos and Round Tommy Atkins Mangos are promotable for May on steady supplies.

Onions

New crop Organic Yellow and White Onions are in plentiful supply out of California. Organic Red Onions have been limited, but supplies are expected to improve by mid-May. Georgia grown Organic Vidalia Sweet Onions are in season with great quality.

Asparagus

Organic Asparagus will be promotable from fields in California, South Carolina, and New Jersey. New York will begin light harvests as well, with steadier production occurring in mid-May. Quality has been exceptional.

Broccoli

Organic Broccoli from California shows excellent quality and yields to start the month. In addition to western supplies, east coast suppliers from Georgia and North Carolina are now in production as well. Look for promotable pricing and excellent quality from both regions, creating a perfect opportunity to promote throughout the month.

Cucumbers

Organic Cucumbers from Mexico remain plentiful in early May. Quality, supplies, and pricing are expected to remain strong through mid-May, offering the perfect opportunity to promote. Domestic product begins light but is expected to ramp up during May as we transition to procure from the east coast. Organic Mini Seedless Cucumber prices remain high as availability continues to be extremely light from Mexico and Canada. Quality has been very nice. Organic Euro Seedless Cucumbers will be promotable from Canada and Mexico. Quality has been very nice.

Green Beans

Organic Green Beans remain in steady supply as California, Mexico, and the southeast are all producing. Although multiple growing regions are producing, none of them are seeing an overabundance of supply, causing the pricing to remain stable but elevated.