Organic Market Update #308

Week 8, 2023

Brussels Sprouts & Broccoli

Organic Brussels Sprouts volumes from Mexico remain strong, with projected volumes to be plentiful through March and into early April. Organic Broccoli supplies from the Imperial Valley, CA and Yuma, AZ remain promotable through February. As March approaches, and Southern desert season nears the end, expect prices to increase. With Northern growing such as Salinas, CA receiving record rains in January, the transition is expected to be difficult with light supply volume and increased prices.

Berries

Organic Blueberries continue to be promotable as quality has improved tremendously on arrivals from Chile. Peruvian fruit will begin arriving at the end of the month. Organic Blackberry prices and production have been steady, with excellent quality. Organic Strawberry prices continue to ease as Florida and Baja production begins to increase. They will become more promotable heading toward mid-March. Quality has been exceptional from both regions. Organic Raspberry prices have also eased as Baja fruit continues production. Quality has been excellent, and supplies are improving daily.

Potatoes

Organic Russet Potatoes will gap on supply challenges through April/May. Product that is available will be marginal to poor quality. Organic Color Potatoes are in good shape on both Red and Gold Potato varieties. There should be a steady supply of potatoes out of Manitoba Canada into the month of April.

Tomatoes

Organic Grape Tomatoes have increased in volume and will be a promotable item heading into March. Organic Heirloom and Darkloom Tomatoes out of Mexico are steady and promotable! Organic Beefsteak and Cluster Tomato prices remain tight with some deals on smaller product. Larger sizing product is hard to come by due to growing conditions. Organic Roma Tomatoes will be promotable through the end of the month, with plenty of volume out of Mexico. Quality is outstanding and availability will be steady for the foreseeable future.

Peppers

Organic Green Peppers from Punta Gorda, Florida are in bountiful supply. Florida-grown clamshell Organic Mini Sweet Peppers are also available and highly promotable. Clamshell Organic Shishito Peppers are also available from FL. These peppers have great flavor and are great as an appetizer. Organic Color Bell Peppers are steady from Israel and Mexico. Quality has been strong from both areas, with conditions remaining unchanged into March.

Apples

Washington Organic Cosmic Crisp are in good supply after some minor packing delays and should remain in steady supply moving forward. The Organic Pink Apple crop was affected by the late freeze, and large amounts of fruit didn't hold up in storage. Expect supplies to tighten and prices to rise. Organic Gala, Granny Smith, and Honeycrisp Apples out of Washington are in tighter supply, with prices expected to continue to climb until imports get started sometime in April or early May. Organic Lady Alice Apples from Washington will be available in late February following  a short gap. The Organic Opal and SugarBee Apple crops are winding down and will finish for the season by the end of March. Chilean and Argentinean Organic Apple crops are reporting 10-20 percent smaller crop than last year, and New Zealand got hit with a devastating Cyclone Gabrielle that has left the region in disarray.

Lettuce

Organic Romaine Hearts and Iceberg Lettuce continue in steady availability and pricing. Conditions are expected to tighten as transition back Northern California approaches. Florida continues their trial run on Organic Romaine Hearts. High-graphic packaging and excellent quality have made these a success so far. Organic Romaine and Leaf Lettuce volume remains strong from Florida with promotable prices and outstanding quality on all varieties.

Citrus

California Organic Citrus has been blessed with tremendous amounts of rain, filling more than half of the reservoirs with over 100 percent of their historical averages. This is great for the trees, and they are producing lots of fruit. Organic Grapefruit, Lemons, Mandarins, Cara Cara Oranges, Navel Oranges, and Minneola Tangelos are now in excellent supply with promotional opportunities available for March.