Organic Market Update #265

Week 16, 2022

Berries

Organic Strawberries are becoming more promotable as California growers start to move into the Salinas/Watsonville, CA growing regions. Volume is light due to heat and rain but is expected to pick up quickly heading into May. Late April and early May should offer some the of the best quality Organic Strawberries of the year with excellent size and flavor. Organic Raspberry production is picking up slightly out of USA and Mexico. Prices will decrease over the next month as production continues to ramp up. Quality has been excellent. Organic Blueberry prices are on the rise due to the overall dip in production between international growing regions. California and the Pacific Northwest are expected to start production by end of May, with peak volume in June. Organic Blackberry prices will remain elevated through April, with very limited harvests coming in out of Mexico, and strong overall demand. Quality has been very nice as product continues to move as fast as it is harvested.

Tomatoes

Organic Grape Tomatoes from Florida are showing better volume and are expected to be shipping peak spring production by the end of April. Organic Cherry and Rainbow Cherry Tomatoes are also in season and Organic Gold Grape Tomatoes are available in limited quantities. Organic Beefsteak and Cluster Tomatoes out of Canada are coming on with stronger volume and better pricing. Quality has been outstanding, and the market is expected to remain steady through April. Mexican product is available that may provide some promotional opportunities heading into May.

Citrus

Organic Lemons continue to be in excellent supply on all sizes. Large Organic Grapefruit supplies are beginning to tighten with better availability on smaller fruit. Organic Navel Oranges out of California are expected to be in good supply for the rest of April and wrap up for the season in early May. Good supplies of new crop California Organic Valencia Oranges will fill in for Navel Oranges. Organic Mandarins and Cara Cara Oranges will wrap their season later this month. Mexican Organic Limes continue to be in very limited supply.

Peppers

Organic Color Bell Peppers will be limited in late April, with Organic Orange Peppers also very limited. With production from Mexico slowing down and border delays and production stopping for the Easter holiday, loading product has been a challenge. Israeli production has finished, with Holland product limited to start their season. Canadian crop is also beginning, and volumes will grow heading into   May. Expect supplies to be light, with some potential gaps on Organic Orange Peppers in late April before steady supplies and improved pricing happens in May. Organic Green Bell Peppers remain extremely limited, quality product is almost non-existent.

Melons

Spring crop Organic Cantaloupe and Honeydew production has started in Mexico and if there are not major border delays, fruit should arrive on the east coast in late April.

Broccoli & Cauliflower

Organic Broccoli and Cauliflower supplies are consistent from California, with excellent quality, and promotable pricing. Organic Sweet Baby Broccoli is now available, and improved pricing is expected in the coming weeks. Organic Broccoli Rabe also shows strong volume and promotable pricing.

Onions

The first of the season Organic Vidalia Sweet Onions are now available in jumbo size bulk cases, 16/3 bags will be available this week. Organic Red Onions will be tight for a couple more weeks until production out of the desert in CA starts in early May. Mexico will carry the bulk of the demand until then and pricing will remain strong.

Watermelon

Organic Seedless Watermelons are available out of Mexico. Overall supplies will be much more limited this season as some growers had to pull crops due to aphid (insect) pressure. Expect higher costs and limited availability. Organic Mini Seedless Watermelon harvests are beginning to pick up after a delayed start. Weather is beginning to improve, leading to better supplies. Expect production to improve approaching May.