Organic Market Update #215

Week 17, 2021

 Peak Season Organic Zucchini and Eggplant

With grilling season approaching, Organic Warm Cooking Vegetables are primed for themed displays and promotion. Organic Zucchini supplies from Florida are plentiful, with promotable pricing and superb quality through Mother's Day. Organic Yellow Squash from Mexico are in steady supply, with aggressive pricing and improved quality, creating a perfect opportunity to promote alongside Zucchini. Organic Eggplant from Florida are available with steady volume and promotable pricing. This is a great time to support USA organic farming with large displays of Zucchini and Eggplant while product is at its best.

 Onions

Genuine Georgia Organic Vidalia Sweet Onions arrived this week to kick off the season, as the transition from Mexico grown products to Georgia Grown Vidalia Onions on 40lb and 16/3lb bags. New crop Mexican Organic Yellow and White Onions are in plentiful supply, and quality is good for this time of year. A new crop "Short Day" Yellow and White Organic Onions starts this week out of California. New crop Organic Red Onions are in limited supply as the new crop is slow to ramp up.

 Melons

Organic Melons are back with a new crop of Organic Cantaloupes arriving last week and Organic Honeydew expected to arrive later this week. Organic Bin Seedless Watermelons also started this week, along with 6ct, 8ct, and 9ct Organic Mini Seedless Watermelons from Mexico.

Brussels Sprouts

Plentiful supplies of Organic Brussels Sprouts are available through the end of the month, with promotable pricing, and excellent quality. Mesh bag UPC’d Organic Brussels Sprouts are also now available.

Peaches

The first Organic Peaches of the 2021 season are slated to arrive this week. While prices are high to start, they are expected to start coming down in early May. The overall crop is projected to have tighter supplies this season.

Cucumbers

Organic Cucumber supplies from Mexico look to vastly improve, with pricing returning to more affordable levels, and promotional opportunities in May. Organic Seedless Cucumber markets will also be promotable out of Mexico and Canada. Quality has been exceptional.
Organic Mini Seedless Cucumber prices will rise as production gaps heading into May. Old sets are finished, and new sets are not quite ready to harvest yet. Quality has been nice.

Tomatoes

Organic Grape, Cherry, and Rainbow Cherry Tomatoes from Florida continue to be promotable and of excellent quality. Organic Heirloom Tomatoes are in steady supply with overall quality rated as excellent. Organic Roma Tomatoes are available from Florida. Overall quality has been very nice, and supplies are steady. Organic Beefsteak and Cluster Tomatoes from Canada show promotable supplies and excellent quality.

Apples

This is an outstanding time to display Organic Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Pina-ta, and Pink Lady Apples in a pouch bag. Organic Cosmic Crisp Apples are a great promo item while they are still in stock. The transition to import apples from Argentina, Chile, and New Zealand is coming, and fruit will be available mid-May through June without a gap.

Green Beans

Organic Green Beans from Florida are increasing in supply after a small gap due to inclement weather. California's spring Organic Green Bean program begins in May. Although a seasonal program, these Green Beans are high quality and a great program to support. Look for pricing to remain elevated in early May before improving later in the month.

Artichokes

Organic Artichokes remain in steady supplies from Mexico on 12ct jumbo and 18ct xlg. Look for supplies from California shippers to improve as we enter May, with both regions offering promotional opportunities.