Organic Market Update #252

Week 3, 2022

Peppers

Organic Colored Bell Peppers from Mexico are yielding strong supplies in January. Expect promotional pricing throughout the month on exceptional quality. Florida Organic Mini Sweet Peppers show excellent quality and supplies are improving. Mexican Organic Mini Sweet Peppers are in excellent supply and promotional pricing should be available throughout the month. Organic Green Peppers from Florida remain in peak supply and outstanding quality.

Mangos

Organic Mangos are back, with Organic Kent Mangos from Peru available following container delays in the Panama Canal and East Coast ports. Quality on these arrivals is looking great and Peruvian fruit should be promotable by mid-February on 9ct, 10ct, 12ct. New crop Organic Mangos from Mexico are set to arrive around mid-February on the round varieties like Tommy Atkins. New crop Organic Honey Ataulfo Mangos from Mexico will start the beginning of February.

Citrus

Organic Navel Orange market is experiencing very strong demand which is keeping prices up and supplies a little sporadic. The overall crop is expected to be down around 30 percent, so pricing may be higher this year. Organic Blood Oranges will be available through mid-January, with Organic Cara Cara supples improving week after week. Expect Organic Grapefruit to be in firm, but steady, supply out of California and Mexico. The first few Organic Kumquats are due in the end of January in very limited supply and high prices.  Organic Mandarin supplies are very limited, as rain finished off the Organic Satsuma and Clementine crop for the season. A small harvest of Organic Page Mandarins is now available. Organic Mandarins will not back into steady availability until early February, when the Tango and Murcott varieties come into season.

Carrots

 Due to COVID related labor issues and strong demand, California Organic Carrot shippers are not able to fill Organic Baby Carrot orders in full. Prorates and out of stocks can be expected throughout January. Organic Rainbow Baby Carrots will temporarily be gapping throughout the winter.

Avocados & Pineapples

Organic Hass Avocados supplies out of Mexico are down slightly from last year, while demand has been very high. Organic Hass Avocado prices are expected to stay elevated as we approach the NFL Playoffs and the Big Game. Organic Pineapple supplies have been uneasy due to extra demand across the country and COVID related issues. Larger fruit has been especially hard to come by.

Eggplant

Organic Eggplant from Florida has returned with strong supplies and excellent quality this month. Mexican Organic Eggplant will remain in strong supply through the month. Supply, volume, and quality from both areas will be consistent, with Mexican supplies at more affordable pricing. 

Lettuce

Organic Romaine Hearts and Organic Iceberg Lettuce supplies from SoCal/Yuma growing regions remain steady. Pricing is holding firm with strong supplies, due to the strong demand to start the year. Quality & availability will remain consistent in January, while Organic Romaine Hearts may see some price increases due to cold weather limiting some harvest.

Berries

Organic Blueberry volume will remain very limited late January. Late vessels from Chile and Peru due to Panama Canal issues, plus COVID labor shortages in the supply chain, continue to force extra sourcing from Mexico which is keeping prices higher. Supplies should improve drastically by the end of January as these containers begin to come into the ports and get unloaded. Organic Blackberry pricing and volumes should be steady through early February out of Mexico. Organic Raspberries continue to be limited in volume. Organic Strawberry volumes will remain tight through mid-January with higher prices. California production remains limited as new harvests are expected to begin by the end of January. Mexico and Florida farms are expected to see steady supplies in the next few weeks as well. Quality out of California has been very nice.