Organic Market Update #279

Week 30, 2022

Berries

Organic Blueberries are promotable out of the Pacific Northwest, with growers ramping up their harvests, bringing on steady supplies and good quality out of Oregon and Washington. Reasonable prices are forecast for late July and early August, including on 18oz family packs. New crop Peruvian Organic Blueberries are being shipped, with some availability in mid-August. Mexico does have very light crossings available in mostly 6oz size containers right now. Organic Strawberry prices continue to be promotable out of California, as harvests remain strong, and quality has been nice. Organic Blackberries are still fairly tight as New Jersey continues to harvest fruit through July. California supplies remains tighter, but harvests are expected to pick up to more promotable levels in early August. Organic Raspberry prices have increased as the rise of the conventional market is putting a strain on organic supplies. Overall harvests and supplies are steady, and quality is very nice.

Melons

High-quality vine ripe Organic Cantaloupes and Honeydew are promotable out of the “Westside” growing region in California. Organic Galia Melons is also in season. Organic Seedless Watermelons supplies are tight out of California, with acreage down and supplies are sporadic. PA Organic Watermelons are expected to start with light availability in early August. Organic Mini Seedless Watermelon supplies are improving. Sizing is larger, leading to more availability in 6ct versus the more popular 8ct sizes.  Quality has been excellent from CA and Arizona, with supplies expected to remain steady.

Broccoli/Cauliflower

Organic Broccoli and Cauliflower from California are yielding strong supply volumes following few weeks of lighter production. Quality on both commodities is strong, and with increased volume, pricing has begun to fall. Supply volume from Québec is also increasing and will help drive the price of the overall market down. Expect promotional opportunities on both Organic Broccoli and Cauliflower in late July.

Celery

Organic Celery from California has promotable prices, outstanding quality, and plentiful supplies as July winds down. Conditions are expected to remain promotable heading into August, and into September.

Stone Fruit

Organic Dark Sweet Cherries have become more affordable and available. Growers have not planned much promotional activity due to the small crop volume but do have modest flush of fruit available to promote. Organic Rainier Cherries should finish for the season by the end of July. Organic Peaches and Nectarines continue in peak season with excellent quality from California. California Organic Plums and Pluots are also in season with excellent demand and quality.

Greens

 Organic Kales, Collards, Chards, and Dandelion Greens from Pennsylvania and New Jersey will finish this week. East coast production will move north with New York and Vermont volumes strengthening in late July. Supplies from California will also be available to supplement to the east coast product. 

Figs

Organic Fresh Figs from California will be in season through early October. The first available varieties will be Brown Turkey Figs and Green Sierra. The popular Black Mission variety will be available in August.

Lettuce

Organic Green Leaf, Red Leaf, and Romaine Lettuce continues with steady supplies from Quebec and California, with limited supplies from Vermont. Quality from various growing regions continues to be strong heading into August.
 Organic Romaine Hearts and Iceberg Lettuce from California remain stable, with a couple of major suppliers having lighter volumes in mid-July, which has driven the cost up slightly. This is expected to be short-lived, and pricing will improve in early August, as Quebec supplies will supplement California production.

Avocados

Mexico Organic Hass Avocados continue with good volumes, as 48ct and smaller “Flor Loca” fruit is ramping up and prices are dropping. Mexico volumes are expected to be about 20 percent larger than last year. Fair Trade Organic Hass Avocados from Mexico will be making a return in the Equal Exchange label for the end of July! Organic Hass Avocados from Peru continue to be available at a discount compared to the Mexican product. Peru is at the height of their season and their oil content is much closer to the Mexican product than usual. Organic Green Skin Avocados from Florida will be available through August