Organic Market Update #305

Week 5, 2023

Avocados

Organic Hass Avocados are promotable as growers are producing excellent quality fruit with reasonable pricing. Promotional opportunities on Equal Exchange Organic Fair Trade Hass Avocados are available as well during late January and early February. Organic Kent Mangos remain promotable  out of Peru , but expect fruit to tighten heading into February. First of the season Organic Ataulfo Honey Mangos from Mexico are available and Quality to start the season is excellent. Organic Pineapple supplies from Costa Rica are stronger for February. Fair Trade Organic Royal Star Papayas are in promotable volume for February with nice quality.

Specialty Citrus & Citrus

Now available in organic specialty citrus: Mellow Gold Grapefruits, Cara, Heirloom Navel Oranges, Lou Lou Navel Oranges, African Shaddock, and Red Globe Grapefruit. Organic TDE Mandarins, Blood Oranges, and Minneola Tangelos, and are due the first week of February. Kumquats, Clementines, Satsumas, and Buddha Hands have finished for the season. The rain has cleared in California, and Organic Citrus is being picked and shipped once again. Volumes and promotability should return for February and March. Organic California Grapefruit, Lemons, Cara Cara Oranges, Navel Oranges, and Minneola Tangelos are now in excellent volume on most sizes and bags. California Organic Mandarins have transitioned from “Clementine” and “Satsuma” varieties, which are finished for the year, and into new crop “Page”, “Daisy”, and “Tango” varieties. Organic Blood Oranges are now available in limited volume, trending heavier to the small sizes.

Lettuce

Organic Romaine Hearts and Iceberg Lettuce from Yuma, AZ and El Centro, CA are in peak supply. Prices, quality, and availability will provide promotional opportunities in February Florida will be trialing an Organic Romaine Hearts program for early February. Organic Green Leaf, Red Leaf, and Romaine Lettuce continue to yield strong supply volume from Florida. Quality has been outstanding and will continue throughout the winter season.

Tomatoes

Organic Heirloom Tomatoes out of Mexico are promotable and Darklooms will be available through February. Also available are packaged Organic Heirloom Tomatoes. Organic Grape Tomato prices have come down and are expected to remain steady. Florida will have more volume as we head into February and be able to promote at that time.

Broccoli & Cauliflower

Organic Broccoli from Yuma, AZ and El Centro, CA remain in excellent supply heading into February. As growers continue to experience strong yields, prices will remain promotable. Organic Cauliflower from desert growing regions has experienced an overabundance of product but as February starts, supply volumes are stabilizing. As yields continue normalize, Organic Cauliflower prices will begin to increase, but are not expected to become extreme.

Celery

As February starts, more Organic Celery growers will experience improved supply, which will make prices more favorable.

Specialty

Organic Yellow Pitahaya/Dragon Fruit are available from Ecuador. This white-fleshed fruit is commonly thought to be the sweetest of the dragon fruit varieties and is growing in popularity very quickly. Florida grown Organic Specialty Produce items available in February include: Organic Green Skin Avocados, Green Water Coconuts, Black Sapote, Sapodilla, Starfruit, Cactus (Nopales) Curry Leaf, and Lemon Grass. Beautiful Florida Organic Red Turmeric will be available in very limited supplies to start the month. Organic Feijoa, Passion Fruit, and Kiwano Melons are done for the season from California.