Organic Market Update #288

Week 39, 2022

Fall Fruit

Organic Kiwi Berries are now available out of Oregon and will be in season until mid- late October. Organic Pomegranates will be available the beginning of October from California, with Organic Persimmons following in early to mid-October. Overall, Organic Persimmons are looking strong, with Fuyu and Hachiya varieties readily available. Organic Cranberries will be available the beginning of October out of Canada and supplies are expected to be steady until Christmas. Organic Fresh Figs have been impacted by extreme heat and rain in California. Expect rising prices and periodic supply gaps over the next few months.

Asparagus

Organic Asparagus is expected to remain steady into October with Mexico cleaning up the last of their old crops before the new production starts mid-October. Argentina has also started their new crop of Organic Asparagus

Apples and Pears

New crop Organic Gala Apples are in peak season. Organic Honeycrisp Apples are being packed with new crop fruit, with light initial volumes and better supply coming in October. Washington’s new crop of Organic Fuji and Granny Smith Apples will be available the end of this month. The first of the season Canadian Organic McIntosh Apples are expected to be available the first week of October. Organic Bartlett and Red Crimson Pears are in peak season from Washington and Oregon. Organic Bosc Pears remain very limited and there may be a small gap before Washington gets started early October.

Broccoli and Cauliflower

Organic Broccoli and Cauliflower supplies from California have shown signs of improving, but pricing has remained elevated. With the changing of the seasons, day length, and weather conditions, both commodities should be fairly tight for the beginning of October. Quebec Organic Broccoli and Cauliflower is experiencing stabilizing supplies, and an excellent supplemental option with California conditions. 

Tropicals

Organic Hass Avocados remain promotable through the end of September, as volumes from Mexico remain strong, and Peru still has a very small amount of fruit in the marketplace.  Organic Pineapples have rebounded in volume and should be in steady supply for the end of September. The last of the large-sized Organic Non-Hot Water Treated Mangos from Mexico will be available into October. After that, the transition to a limited California crop will occur. Expect prices to rise over the next month with possible gaps in product. Organic Dragon Fruit will be available next week. White flesh will be in good supply, while red flesh fruit will be slightly limited. Product will be available in a 10lb box from Mexico through September.

Grapes

Supply is ramping back up on Organic Grapes with weather being more favorable following the California heatwave. Organic Green Grapes are transitioning into the “Kelley Greens,” variety which is perfect timing as the “Great Greens” were showing strong signs of amber. Organic Red Seedless Grapes will be the “Scarlett Royal” variety with nice size and texture. Also in season are Organic Black Grapes, Biodynamic Green, Sweet Carnival and Thomcord.

Beets

Organic Red and Gold Bunched Beets are returning to stable supplies after four to six weeks of difficult conditions in California. Growers are harvesting a new region, helping supply volumes return to normal levels. Pricing remains elevated, but as more volume comes on, pricing will normalize.

Brussels Sprouts

Organic Brussels Sprouts will be coming back into season the end of the month. Volumes will be light initially with peak season being later in winter.