Organic Market Update: Oct. 18-25

Apples

New crop first Organic SugarBee, Envy and Lady Alice Apples of the season are now available. A steady supply is expected of these premium varieties. The first Organic Opal Apples of the season are expected to be available around Oct. 21, followed by Organic Kanzi Apples on Oct. 24 and Organic Lucy Rose on Oct. 27. Generally, the following Organic Apples are in peak season and promotable in bulk and bag options: Organic Gala, Honeycrisp, SweeTango, Fuji, Granny Smith and Ambrosia. Canadian Organic McIntosh Apples are in season, though supplies are sporadic. The fruit size this year is extremely small. Expect 100-113ct for this short season. Storage crop 2023 Washington Organic Cosmic Crisp Apples are officially ending for the season. This item will gap until the first week of December when the 2024 new crop is ready to ship.

Lettuce

Organic Romaine Hearts from California continue to be promotable. Organic Lettuce is still widely available now. There is still a strong supply of Organic Romaine and Leaf Lettuce with good quality and at a reasonable price coming from California and New Jersey. After a brisk beginning to the month, Organic Iceberg Lettuce from New Jersey is still thriving in mid-October. Good availability and a reasonable price are anticipated through late October!

Fall Fruit

California Organic Fuyu and Hachiya Persimmons are in season! Supplies should be steady for the fall! Fuyu (flat) Persimmons can be eaten firm, while Hachiya (high) Persimmons must be soft before being eaten. Organic Pomegranates are now available in a large size and smaller-value option for the duration of the domestic season. Organic Pomegranate Arils will be available around Oct. 20. Organic Brown Turkey Figs from California will be in stock for October in limited supply. Organic Fresh Cranberries are in season and available to add to retail sets. 

Warm Veg

Organic Cucumbers and Organic Green Squash have promotable pricing due to plenty of volume out of Mexico. New Jersey will continue to roll with Organic Peppers, Cucumbers, Squash, Tomatoes, Cabbage and Eggplant. Weather pending, they are expected to go into the middle of November. Organic Eggplant, Green Pepper and Yellow Squash prices are expected to stay elevated due to the lack of Florida harvests. These items were expected to transition to Florida throughout October, but this is now pending because of the hurricane. With limited product in Florida, November and December will be more volatile for Organic Warm Veg. We will have to rely mostly on Mexican production during this time.

Broccoli

California Organic Broccoli is generally available in good supply for October. This is being fueled by a fragmented market where some growers have limited supply while others have plenty. The quality is still very good, while pricing is mid-range. Mid-October comes with the return of Organic Broccoli Rabe. Volumes are starting to increase once again. As availability improves, anticipate prices to remain elevated. Heading toward the end of October, prices will begin to decline.

Greenhouse Tomatoes

Greenhouse Organic Tomatoes from Quebec are ready. The first Organic Cluster Tomatoes are now available and will continue to roll in throughout the winter. 12/8.8oz Organic Cocktail “Apero” Tomatoes and 12/6.56oz Organic “Mini Apero” Cherry-on-the-Vine Tomatoes will be promotable into the end of October. These are some high-flavor varietals!

Berries

Organic Raspberry supplies and pricing are steady out of Mexico and quality has been excellent. Organic Strawberry supplies will be steady out of California. Northern District fruit will be finishing and supplies are expected to decrease heading into November with shorter days and cooler tempertures. Quality on the new crop out of Oxnard, California has been nice overall with some minor bruising. California Organic Blackberry pricing will decrease some with better supplies expected but should finish by early November. Mexico availability is beginning to increase with more growers starting harvests. Quality has been nice from both regions. Organic Blueberry supplies will improve as Peruvian containers continue to arrive in port. Expect pricing to decrease weekly as supplies increase. Promotable prices are expected in mid-November. Quality has been excellent.

Tropicals

Organic Pineapple supplies have come on strong for the middle to end of October. Look for promotional opportunities for the rest of the month and into early November! Organic Royal Star Papayas are in good supply for the middle of October. Quality has been good. Organic Hass Avocados remain steady in supply. 48ct and larger fruit remains a little tighter, while 60ct will be more promotable for the end of October. Equal Organic Fair Trade Avocados are available in 48ct, 60ct and 8/4ct ReadyCycle packs. California Organic Keitt Mangos will be available through the end of October at high pricing. A limited amount of Ecuador Organic Mangos are expected to begin for the end of October. Pricing will be high to start.