Organic Market Update #263

Week 14, 2022

Spring Greens

High-quality Florida-grown Organic Greens are now available at reasonable prices. Organic Kales and Collards, including Organic Lacinato Kale, which has been more limited so far this year, are in excellent supply to start April. East coast Organic Leaf and Romaine Lettuce from Florida are plentiful, and quality is rated as excellent. West coast Organic Leaf Lettuce production in Salinas, CA has begun, however prices are higher compared to the east coast.

Asparagus & Brussels

Organic Asparagus prices are expected to remain steady leading up to Easter with decent volumes, and promotional opportunities available. Quality has been outstanding out of Mexico on both 11lb and 28lb cases. Organic Brussels Sprouts show strong availability and good pricing for promotional opportunities. Quality has been outstanding and should continue through April. Organic Mesh Bag Brussels Sprouts are available in steady supplies.

Broccoli & Cauliflower

Late April marks the beginning of the Salinas, CA season for Organic Broccoli and Cauliflower, and while weather has not been ideal in the northern growing regions, no interruptions in production are expected. Organic Sweet Baby Broccoli remains elevated in price but is experiencing better availability. Organic Broccoli Rabe will remain promotable in early April.

Tomatoes

Organic Beefsteak and Cluster Tomatoes out of Canada are showing stronger volume and better pricing. Mexico product is available and should provide some promotional opportunities through April. Organic Grape Tomatoes from Florida will be in short supply but expected to improve by the middle of April. Organic Heirloom and Darkloom Tomato prices continue to rise as the Mexico season begins to wind down.

Berries

Organic Raspberries remain steady out of Mexico and CA, with quality rated as exceptional from both regions. Overall volume is a bit limited but expected to pick up in mid-April, with promotable supplies available toward the end of April or early May, depending on weather. Organic Blueberry supplies remain steady out of Mexico, California, and Peru. Chile is finished and the Peruvian imported volume is beginning to slow down. Mexico and California continue to produce steady volume, and quality has been excellent. Organic Strawberry prices are rising a bit ahead of Easter demand. The California region was hit with heavy rain, impacting yields, and keeping harvest crews out of the field for a few days. Mexico supplies remain steady, and quality has been nice. Expect elevated pricing and some supply challenges through the Easter holiday. Organic Blackberries are extremely limited to start off April, with production expected to get better by mid-April. Mexico has had some colder than normal temperatures that are impacting harvests.

Mangos

Organic Mango production is in full swing, with Mexico offering the Tommy Atkins variety with steady supplies. Production in the Chiapas and Oaxaca regions from the south of Mexico is slowing and will soon transition to the Nayarit region for the month of May. Nayarit starting slightly later than normal but should not impact supplies heading into Cinco De Mayo promos and June promotional opportunities. Organic Ataulfo Honey Mangos will also remain promotable in April until June.

Citrus

A few days of rain has hampered California Organic Citrus availability, so expect some sporadic gaps across most commodities due to some delays in harvest and packing schedules. Organic Gold Nugget Mandarins are now in peak season.

Onions

The first of the season GA Organic Sweet Onions, will be available in mid-April, with the first Organic Vidalia Sweet Onions. As lean NV and WA Organic Onions production winds down, the transition to a new crop Texas Organic Red and Yellow Onions has started, and Organic White Onions are going to transition over to new crop Mexican product. Organic Red Onions are available out of Mexico but are extremely tight and high priced. Organic Yellow Onions out of Mexico have yet to get started in any significant way.