Organic Market Update #290

Week 41, 2022

Apples

Organic Apples out of Washington will have more new crop varieties coming into season and supplies are ramping up. Now in season are Organic Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and SweeTango Apples. Organic Red Delicious and Pinata Apples are also expected to start mid to late October. Organic Pink Lady Apples from the 2022 new crop are anticipated to ship by November.

Tomatoes

Organic Tomato Clusters and Organic Beefsteak Tomatoes out of Quebec are starting with nice quality. As east coast tomato production winds down an assortment of greenhouse Organic Tomatoes is available including Brites, Poppies, Medley, Campari, and Cocktail.

Pears

Organic Asian, Bartlett, Bosc, and Red Pears are in excellent supply with Anjou and Red Anjou expected to start before the end of the month. Red Pears are expected to transition from Starkrimson to Red Bartlett shortly.

Broccoli & Cauliflower

California grown Organic Broccoli remains difficult to source due to limited volume and subpar quality. Expect limited supplies and potential gaps as supply issues persist. Organic Broccoli forecast is bleak for the remainder of October. Organic Cauliflower is expensive and in light supply as California growers are dealing with low yields and spotty quality. Quebec growers are seeing their harvests slow due to cold nights. Early indications point to improving Cauliflower volume in late October. 

Celery

Organic Celery remains in excellent supply and quality in early October. Continue to promote on expanded displays to generate additional sales, as prices are expected to increase prior to Thanksgiving pull.

Citrus

Organic Lemon supplies are ramping up as both Mexican and California fruit is readily available, with smaller sized product offering promotable opportunities. Organic Lime prices out of Mexico and Peru look to be turning the corner and easing by the end of October, with better sizing and quality.

Tropical

Organic Dragon Fruit is now available, with White Flesh in good supply, and Red Flesh fruit showing limited availability. Organic Black Mission Figs will be very limited. 12/1 pint baskets will be available featuring the Brown Turkey Fig variety along with a very few green Sierra Figs. Both Organic Fuyu and Persimmons have started slightly ahead of schedule, with Organic Hachiya Persimmons available the middle of October. Organic Pomegranates are now in season and USA Organic Pomegranate Arils are also now available.

Berries

Organic Raspberries continue to be very promotable out of Mexico, as harvests continue to flush on new crops, and quality has been excellent. Organic Blueberry pricing will be promotable out of Peru, and quality has been outstanding. Organic Blackberry prices remain high as Mexico’s harvests are light. Mexico is getting rain and cooler temperatures are keeping fruit from coming on. Organic Strawberry prices continue to get more expensive as supplies are extremely limited out of California. Expect prices to continue to rise and pro-rating of supplies well into October. Overall, quality is improving.

Greens

East Coast Organic Greens such as Organic Chards, Kales, Collards, and Dandelions are ending for the season during early October, with greater production out of CA.