Organic Market Update: Nov. 8-15, 2024

Thanksgiving Vegetables

Organic Celery remains in favorable supply through Thanksgiving, though holiday demand will lead to a slight price increase. To leverage holiday interest, prioritize Organic Celery in promotions and displays. Organic Brussels Sprouts, a holiday favorite, will be widely available in November. The combination of competitive pricing and solid availability makes them ideal for Thanksgiving promotions, including prepackaged 1-pound bags for convenient holiday shopping. Though West Coast prices are increasing, Organic Broccoli remains generally accessible in November. North Carolina’s East Coast production will be a primary source for Thanksgiving, with strong quality and volume expected for promotional opportunities—not cheap, but not super expensive either. In early November, Organic Cauliflower was widely available and reasonably priced in California. Prices are likely to rise closer to Thanksgiving as growing regions shift to the desert. Plan to promote Organic Cauliflower earlier in November for better pricing, but be more careful for Thanksgiving.

After recent quality challenges, Organic Asparagus is an item to be cautious about and sell through quickly as supplies are expected to recover in time for the holidays, but the outlook is not reliable. Organic Green Beans are unavailable from the Southeast and Mexico has not ramped up production yet. For early to mid-November Organic Green Beans will be out-of-stock on bulk and limited on trimmed-washed retail bags. Some arrivals from Mexico are expected closer to Thanksgiving but it is recommended that ads and promos be avoided due to unreliable supply expectations and higher pricing. Demand also exceeds supply on imported Organic French Beans for November.

Photo: Canva

Citrus

Get ready to refill your Organic Citrus displays with California fruit poised to ramp up across the rest of November with peak season supplies in December through April. The new crop Organic Navel Orange season has finally started in California, though slowly. The first pack-outs expected around November 12 on 56ct, 72ct, and 88ct Fancy bulk, along with 10/4lb bags. An excellent season is anticipated. Organic Satsuma Mandarins and early Murcott Mandarins are first to ripen for the California season. Starting around November 14, supply will be limited initially, but more volume is expected as the season progresses across late November. December should be an excellent month to promote bulk and bagged Organic Satsuma and Murcott or Clementine Mandarins.

Organic Mandarins in15/2lb bags, along with other retail-ready packs will be available and 25lb bulk Organic Mandarins will be steadily stocked for retailers that want to promote fruit without added packaging. Organic Pummelos are now in season from California. Sizing will range from 12-18 during the peak from late November through mid-winter. Organic Lemons from California are available for November though with smaller sizes prevailing and large fruit in limited supply and higher priced.

Avocados

Organic Hass Avocado supplies are stable overall, with promotable quantities of 60ct fruit. There will be good availability of 48s, 60s, and 15/4 ct bags. Equal Exchange Fair Trade Organic Hass Avocados will be limited in 48 ct and 60 ct sizing through the rest of the month.

Kiwi

New crop “Mammoth” Jumbo Kiwi 20/1 lb (4 ct) are coming into season from California and will be in available by November 12. Organic Sungold Kiwi will finish by mid-November, so explore options for California-grown Organic Gold Kiwi. Organic Green Kiwi remains in good supply through November, with the season winding down by early December.

Hard Squash

Organic Hard Squash is steady, with Acorn and Butternut Squash coming from Pennsylvania in excellent volume. Spaghetti Squash has transitioned to Wisconsin and is tighter but expected to last through Thanksgiving. Expect pricing on Spaghetti Squash to rise as Thanksgiving approaches. Maine grown Organic Delicata, Kabocha and Pie Pumpkins has tightened significantly. Organic Pie Pumpkins will finish a week before Thanksgiving, while Organic Delicata should continue for November.

Organic Kabocha is now transitioning to California, with a slight price increase expected due to the regional shift.

Peppers

Organic Green Pepper pricing is high due to low volume on the East Coast and Mexico’s season yet to start. Some Organic Peppers are being diverted to conventional sales, further driving up prices. Organic Yellow and Orange Bell Pepper supply remains steady from Mexico and Israel. Organic Red Peppers, like their conventional counterparts, will remain tight and expensive through the end of November.

Photo: Canva

Fall Fruit

Organic Pomegranates are in good supply. There will be both large and smaller value options for the duration of the California season. Organic Fuyu and Hachiya Persimmons from California are steady for the Fall. Organic Cranberries are in peak season and ready for holiday promotion.

Lettuce

Organic Leaf and Romaine Lettuce supply was strong in early November, supported by regional production in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. As that season winds down in mid-November, the shift to southern East Coast production should go smoothly. California Organic Lettuce will become more needed throughout the month at a higher cost. California remains the sole source for Organic Romaine Hearts, which are in excellent shape. Conditions may change toward late November as production moves to the desert-growing regions of Southern California and Arizona for the Winter.