Organic Market Update #294

Week 45, 2022

Pomegranates & Persimmons

Organic Persimmons are in good supply for early November, with both Fuyu and Hachiya varieties in peak season through Thanksgiving. Fuyu Persimmons can be eaten when firm, like an apple. Hachiya Persimmons must ripen until they’re soft before eating. At the height of the season, Organic Pomegranate pricing on smaller fruit is dropping while larger fruit has a bit more of a premium. Organic Pomegranate Arils are selling well and will be available through the fall season. The latest crop updates have indicated that there is not as much fruit as originally thought, driving up the price of the domestic Aril crop and production.

Potatoes & Sweets

California Organic Sweet Potato growers are into their new cured product for the 2022 fall/ winter season and are expecting a much better-quality crop than last year. 12/3lb Organic Sweet Potatoes bags are available for the holidays and throughout the winter. Organic Baby Potatoes will be in lighter supply due to some quality issues on Reds, with better supplies expected mid-month Organic Red and Gold Potatoes supplies are now coming from Manitoba, Canada, a region known for nice quality and color. Good quality is expected for the holiday period on A-size bulk and 16/3lb bags. Organic Russet Potatoes should be in good supply for Thanksgiving.

Oranges

New crop California Organic Navel Orange supplies should begin this week. Sizing will peak on the smaller side with the “Fukumoto,” and then towards the end of November, size should improve when we move into the “Beck” variety. California Organic Valencia Oranges will finish for the season and gap until mid-November when a small supply of Mexican Organic Valencia Oranges should become available.

Grapes

Organic Grape supplies are tightening up and prices are very firm as the California season finishes. Many small shippers have completed harvests, leaving only the larger growers with availability through the end of November.  

Green Beans & French Beans

Organic Green Beans will not be promotable for Thanksgiving, as supplies were impacted by poor weather in Florida and Georgia. There will be nice quality fresh product from Mexico, but not enough to meet demand. Expect high pricing and occasional prorates on bulk and microwave bag product during November. 10/1lb Organic French Beans will be virtually nonexistent this November. Weather challenges, including hurricanes in Central America and Mexico, have impacted quality and yield. The latest Hurricane (Lisa) could make things even worse for Thanksgiving.

Tomatoes

Organic Beefsteak and Cluster Tomato prices are expected to remain steady with decent supplies and excellent quality arriving from Quebec. Expect good quality Organic Cocktail and Cherry-on-the Vine Tomatoes coming from Quebec greenhouses. Organic Grape Tomatoes are primarily being sourced from Mexico and Canada with limited availability from Florida until the end of December or beginning of January. Quality has been nice, and pricing is expected to remain steady.

Hard Squash

Organic Cubed Butternut Squash for the holiday has proven to be a top seller. Organic Hard Squash is starting to wind down in the northeast. Organic Acorn and Butternut are still available, but Organic Spaghetti Squash will be switching out west soon, which will increase pricing. Organic Kabocha and Delicata Squash will be limited until these varieties get started out of Mexico in mid-November.

Brussels & Asparagus

Organic Brussels Sprouts volume is increasing, with growing regions in California and Mexico producing consistent volumes, and expectations are that there will be promotional opportunities for the Thanksgiving holiday. Microwave packaged Organic Brussels Sprouts will also be available for Thanksgiving. Organic Asparagus prices are expected to remain steady in mid-November when the new crop Mexican product should begin. With the difficulties in many other organic veg items right now, Organic Asparagus and Brussels Sprouts are looking like two of the greener veg side dish options this Thanksgiving.