Organic Market Update #295

Week 46, 2022

FL Greens

Florida’s Organic Greens program has started with strong volumes and premium quality in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. Promotional opportunities on key holiday items like Organic Collard and Organic Kale should be available in November and December. Also, back in season from FL are: Organic Bok Choy, Dandelion, Red Kale, Red Dandelion, Lacinato Kale, Rainbow Chard, Baby Bok Choy, and Tat Soi.

Green Beans

Organic Green Bean supply volume has improved slightly as Thanksgiving approaches. California supplies, combined with the Mexican crop beginning harvest in early November, is making availability better than expected for holiday orders. Pricing will remain elevated as neither growing region has an overabundance. 10/1lb Organic French Beans will be in very light volume for Thanksgiving due to Hurricane Lisa. Weather challenges, quality, and delays in container shipments have all played a part over this past month on availability.

Citrus

Organic Specialty Citrus is available for mid-November on varieties including Organic Buddha Hand, Yuzu Lemons, Limequats, Sweet Palestinian Limes, and Satsuma Mandarins. Organic Grapefruit supplies are improving, and by the end of November, should be in promotable volume. Organic Lemons and Limes are in excellent supply on all sizes and bags. California Organic Navel Oranges are ramping up with the “Fukumoto” variety, and then expected to transition to the “Beck” variety after Thanksgiving with better size and volume. Peak volume and pricing will be on 72-88ct and bags.

Grapes

Organic Grape supplies are getting sparse, and prices are very firm. California rain has played a huge role in limited Organic Green Grapes with Organic Red Grapes production, resulting in fair supply, and rising prices. New crop Peruvian Organic Red Grapes are available on the east coast.

Lettuce

Organic Lettuce from California remains a consistent struggle. Field diseases, weather issues, and quality issues have resulted in decreased yields and gaps in supply from California shippers. Organic Iceberg and Organic Romaine Hearts are available, but volumes are scarce, and prices continue to rise weekly, reaching new all-time highs. The outlook from California remains bleak until at least December when product begins in SoCal, Arizona, and Florida. Modest supplemental supplies from Pennsylvania and New Jersey have provided a beneficial opportunity to complement California supplies, however the season is ending in mid-November, leaving potential shortages during the Thanksgiving holiday. Florida's Organic Lettuce crop is expected to begin harvesting in late November, which will provide stability as California markets are expected to remain turbulent.

Cucumbers

Organic Cucumbers have finished for the season from Florida, but North Carolina and Mexico supplies are harvesting consistent volume.

Broccoli & Cauliflower

Supply limitations continue for Organic Broccoli from California and elevated costs remain intact. Weather, decreased yields, and high demand have created shortages affecting most California shippers. North Carolina Organic Broccoli supply remains consistently available as a supplementary option to the California. Quality has been outstanding, while pricing offers a slight relief. Supply issues continue for Organic Cauliflower from California in mid-November as prices continue to rise weekly to new all-time highs. No relief is in sight as market conditions into December will remain consistent, if not worsen. With limited supplemental opportunities from other growing regions expectations should remain low for Thanksgiving and the rest of November.

Berries

Organic Blueberry prices continue to be promotable as Peruvian fruit comes in with good volume and excellent quality. Organic Raspberry markets are steady out of Mexico. Quality has been excellent, and supplies are expected to be good through Thanksgiving. Organic Blackberries continue to be steady out of Mexico. More growers are starting harvests, but volumes are very light overall. Organic Strawberry markets continue to rise with limited supplies. Expect prices to remain expensive through early December with gaps and pro-rates likely during this span. Rain in CA and Mexico has limited harvests and demand remains strong ahead of the holiday.