Organic Market Update #258

Week 9, 2022

CA Citrus

All sizes on fancy grade Organic Navel Oranges from CA, including bags, are expected to be in excellent supply for March with nice eating quality and lower pricing. Organic Blood and Cara Cara Oranges are sizing on the smaller side, with good availability and nice quality expected during March. Organic Lemons are expected to be plentiful for March, with Organic Meyer Lemons in steady supply. Good volumes of Organic Grapefruit out of California and Mexico show very nice quality, with transition into some lighter varieties like the “Marsh Ruby” later in March. Organic Mandarins, despite a smaller 2022 crop, are expected to be in decent supply during March. Some Organic Golden Nugget and Pixie Tangerines are now available for a very short season, as Organic Marmalade Oranges and TDE Tangerines, Organic Pummelos and Organic Minneola Tangelos will be done by end of March.

Berries

Organic Strawberries out of Mexico are promotable, as supplies out of the Baja region are coming on strong, with excellent quality. Organic Raspberries will be very promotable on excellent quality after a big harvest flush in Mexico to kick off March. After this extra volume cleans up, prices will rise heading into mid-March. Organic Blueberries remain affordable out of Chile, as quality continues to be fair to good. Product from Mexico is showing great quality and taste is outstanding, with markets heading higher for this premium product. Organic Blackberry prices continue to be steady out of Mexico heading into March.

Artichokes

Organic Artichokes will remain in stable supply heading into March. Excellent quality paired with attractive pricing and consistent volume will provide promotional opportunities in early March.

Broccoli and Cauliflower

Organic Broccoli volumes from SoCal/Yuma, AZ growing regions have shown improvement, with prices reflecting the increased supply. Northern production from the Salinas valley is due to begin in mid-March. Organic Purple Sweet Baby Broccoli is availabile for a limited time starting this month. Organic Cauliflower production has stabilized after some supply limitations and slight price increases in mid-February. While quality remains strong and volumes have increased, market conditions can be unstable in early March as southern growing regions conclude and Northern production starts back up in early to mid-March.

Tropicals

The 2022 Organic Mango season kicks off in the southern regions of Chiapas and Oaxaca, Mexico. Organic Mangos will be fully transitioning into Mexican Tommy Atkins fruit by the beginning of March, with prices gradually declining through the month! Organic Hass Avocados are in very tight supply following a week of no shipping from Mexico due to the US temporarily suspending imports. Prices are rising as growers cannot keep up with demand to refill a depleted supply chain. Organic Pineapple supplies and pricing will be steady to start the month.

Eggplant

Organic Eggplant from Florida continues to experience issues related to colder temperatures in early February. Quality and volume will not improve until later in March. Mexican supplies are available to supplement any shortages to begin March.

Onions

Organic Red and White Onions are in full swing out of Mexico, and Organic Yellow Onions should start crossing the border this week. Organic Cipollini Onions will see their last arrival at the end of this week.

Lettuce

Organic Leaf Lettuce and Romaine Lettuce from Florida have rebounded from lighter supplies earlier in February. Pricing relief has yet to come on Organic Red and Green Leaf Lettuce as supplies are improving, while pricing remains elevated. West Coast Organic Leaf Lettuce remains steady in availability and pricing, while Organic Romaine Hearts and Iceberg Lettuce have begun to experience limited supplies and gaps in production due to heavy aphid (insect) pressure. Some growers have ended their southern growing region season early because of the issue. Transition north is not due to start until mid to late March, which will create a shortage in supplies for most of the month. Expect supply limitations and price increases starting this week.