Organic Market Update #274

Week 25, 2022

Berries

Organic Strawberries continue to be very promotable out of California, with peak production and great quality. New Jersey Organic Blueberry production has been light to start, but quality is excellent. Supplies are expected to increase over the next few weeks. California Organic Blueberry prices are starting to come down as production is picking up on excellent quality. The Pacific Northwest blueberry deal is set to begin around July 4th. Organic Raspberries remain steady out of California, and quality has been very nice. Organic Blackberry prices are starting to increase slightly, as California harvests are slowing down. Mexico harvests are finished for the season and will start again in the fall. Quality from both areas has been excellent.

Melons

Organic Mini Seedless Watermelons continue to be promotable out of California on excellent quality. Georgia will begin harvest over the next 10-14 days, with growing conditions ideal for this upcoming crop. Organic Seedless Watermelons will begin to gap, as the Mexican crop has finished for the season, and California fruit has not started. California acreage is off from last year as growers focus more on the Organic Mini Seedless variety. Organic Cantaloupes are available out of El Centro and Imperial Valley, CA, with prices promotable on 9ct. Organic Honeydews are available from USA. Organic Hami, Galia, and Honeydew Melons are all in season from Mexico.

Stone Fruit

California Organic White & Yellow Peaches and Nectarines are in excellent supply until the end of July. California Organic Donut Peaches are still in a varietal gap but should be back in stock by the first of July pending any weather disruptions. The first Washington Organic Cherries are expected by the end of the month in very limited supply with extremely high prices. It is unknown at this point how long this crop will last, but it could be done as early as the first week of August. Organic Apricots are in excellent supply and expected to stay that way until production starts in Washington at the beginning of July. California Organic Plum production has started to ramp up and will be in good supply by end of month. California Organic Verry Cherry Plums are expected the last week of June.

Cauliflower and Broccoli

Unwrapped Organic Cauliflower will be available from Pennsylvania growers, but overall supplies will be limited. Organic White, Orange, and Purple Cauliflower, as well as Romanesco, will be available in late June and quality is looking outstanding. Organic Cauliflower from California continues in steady availability and pricing heading into July. Organic Broccoli from California continues to yield consistent volumes from California in June. Availability and pricing should remain unchanged; however warmer temperatures in the Salinas growing region could result in decreased production and increasing cost by months end Organic Broccoli Crowns are yielding less production than Organic Bunched Broccoli. Quality on both will remain excellent, but promotable supplies will be best on bunched broccoli.

Grapes

Organic Grape projections are shrinking, as the original crop estimates are about 20 percent lower than expected and prices are starting to tick back up. Steady supplies of Organic Black, Green, Red, and Cotton Candy Grapes should be expected until the California crop begins in July. Organic Jelly Berries and Gummy Berries Grapes will be available in late June.

Tomatoes

Organic Grape Tomatoes are readily available from Georgia and will be very promotable into July. Organic Beefsteak and Cluster Tomatoes out of Canada will be ending in July and gapping until the fall.

Lettuce

Organic Lettuce from PA, including Organic Green Leaf, Red Leaf, Romaine, Green Boston, and Red Boston Lettuce, remain in peak supplies during late June. The season will be short, ending in early July, as temperatures increase. New York and Quebec Organic Lettuce will be available when PA finishes. Pricing for California grown Organic Romaine Hearts will increase slightly, while California Organic Iceberg Lettuce has promotable pricing. Expect steady supply availability on both commodities in late June. Quebec production is set to begin in late June or early July.

Hard Squash

Organic Hard Squash is coming to an end out of Mexico, with Pricing holding steady. New crop of California Organic Hard Squash has started in a very limited way, which should lower prices in the coming weeks.

Celery

Organic Celery from California is showing improved supplies, quality, and costs following a challenging market since May. California production started late for the season, and supplies were limited. Supplies from Mexico were also limited on fair quality was fair. California is now ramping up supply and promotional opportunities are ahead.