Organic Market Update #218

Week 20, 2021

 Berries

Organic Strawberries are in full production and should remain in excellent supply for the next couple of months. Organic Blackberries and Raspberries are also in good supply through at least early summer. Organic Blueberries supplies are improving but somewhat limited.  Moving into June, multiple growing regions will be in steady production, with New Jersey starting in mid to late-June.

 Broccoli and Cauliflower

Organic Broccoli is in plentiful supply with promotable pricing from out West.  East Coast growers are beginning to ramp up in volumes, with product from Georgia and North Carolina available in May. Quality from all growing regions has been outstanding. Organic Broccoli Rabe and Organic Sweet Baby Broccoli are in excellent supply with promotable pricing. Organic Cauliflower has vastly improved in both supplies and quality, although pricing is holding steady and drastically improved from earlier this year.

 Stone Fruit

The California Organic Stone Fruit season is ramping up with light volumes of Organic Apricots, Cherries and Yellow Peaches now available. Organic Donut Peaches, White Peaches, and Yellow Nectarines are expected to arrive on the East Coast before Memorial Day, with full production and promotional opportunities expected to hit in early June. South Carolina Organic Yellow Peaches have also begun in a limited supply.

Bi-Color Sweet Corn

Organic Bi-Color Sweet Corn from CA is now in stock. Although a brief season, quality will be strong and provides a nice early season Sweet Corn option before East Coast production begins to improve.

Tomatoes

Organic Cluster and Beefsteak Tomatoes are still promotable out of Canada. Quality has been excellent, and supplies are strong. Organic Cherry and Rainbow Cherry Tomatoes will be finishing their Florida season and Georgia production is only a few weeks away, with light availability by the end of May. Organic Grape Tomatoes are available from Florida, with a slight gap in supplies as Georgia is not ready to harvest. Organic Roma Tomatoes are available in steady supplies from Canada and Florida, on excellent quality.

Melons

Organic Seedless Watermelons from Mexico show excellent quality with good color and sugar. Expect good supplies through the end of the month. Organic Mini Seedless Watermelons are in steady supply and will be promotable, while Organic Cantaloupes and Honeydews from Mexico are in sporadic early season supply.

Mangos

Mexican Organic Tommy Atkins Mangos are in abundant supply through the remainder of the month, with prices reaching promotable level through early summer.  Haitian Fair Trade Organic Mangos continue in peak season but are expected to gap in supply availability due to customs and port delays.

Celery

Organic Celery has improved harvest volumes in mid-May and as suppliers return to normal supply volumes, pricing will improve. Expect consistent supplies and quality for the rest of May.

Peppers

Organic Mini Peppers remain plentiful from Mexico. Promotional volumes and aggressive pricing are expected to remain through May. Organic Red, Yellow, and Orange Bell Peppers from Holland and Canada will remain elevated in price, but supplies will remain stable with strong quality.  Organic Green Peppers are limited in supplies, with production from Coachella, CA just beginning. Georgia harvests are expected to begin in late May and will provide some relief to high prices.