Farmer's Report

Produce Trends - OCTOBER 15, 2021

All produce pricing trends are based on USDA data as of October 12, 2021.

VEGETABLES

POTATOES

Russets  

The russet market is mixed this week. Out of Idaho, 70 count and 90 count Norkotahs are up, while 6 oz. minimum size are steady, with moderate supply and good demand reported. 70 count Norkotahs are down, while 90 count Norkotahs are up out of Washington/Oregon, with moderate supply and demand reported. There is fair quality reported out of both growing regions.

Reds  

The red potato market is up this week. Product out of Wisconsin is up, with moderate supply and light demand reported.

Yellows  

The yellow potato market is steady this week. Product out of Wisconsin is steady, with moderate supply and light demand reported.

CABBAGE

Round Green  

The cabbage market is up this week. Suppliers expect demand to be steady. Supplies have dropped slightly due to shorter days and cooler temperatures, according to suppliers. Quality remains consistent with sizing and overall appearance.

LEAF LETTUCE

green Leaf  

The green leaf market is up this week. Suppliers are reporting volumes that are slightly lower compared to previous weeks. Quality is reported as fair, with good green color, good texture and slightly lighter weights. Demand is reported as fair.

Romaine  

The romaine market is up this week. Suppliers are reporting strong demand on romaine and romaine hearts, with supplies being slightly below average. Quality reports are showing occasional fringe burn and internal burn, which have been more visible compared to recent weeks.

ICEBERG LETTUCE  

The iceberg market is up this week. Lettuce supplies have tightened as demand and environmental pressures have increased, according to suppliers. Quality issues include inconsistent weights, occasional burn on outer leaves, puffy heads, seeder and bottom rot.

GARLIC  

Suppliers are reporting supply issues, due to yields being down in this year's harvest.

ONIONS  

The jumbo yellow onion market is mixed this week. Product out of Idaho is up, with moderate supply and demand reported. Product out of Washington/Oregon is down, with moderate supply and good demand reported.

MUSHROOMS  

There is moderate supply and fair quality reported on mushrooms coming from the East Coast. Due to shipping delays, there is the potential that suppliers could be out of shiitake logs to pick between Thursday and Monday of this week. Suppliers report that they will try to source locally, but many growers are in a similar position, so prices remain escalated. There are reports of quality and supply issues coming from the West Coast, due to the heat.

CILANTRO  

The cilantro market is mixed this week. Product out of Oxnard, California is up on 30's and down on 60's, with moderate supply and demand reported. Product out of Central Coast, California is down on 30's and 60's, with moderate supply and demand reported. There is a wide range in quality out of both growing regions.

CUCUMBERS  

Cucumbers are mixed this week. Cucumbers out of Mexico crossing through Texas are down, with light supply and moderate demand reported. Product out of Mexico crossing through California is up, with moderate supply and good demand reported. There is a wide range in quality reported out of the West.

CELERY  

The celery market is up this week. Suppliers expect good supplies for the next few weeks. Celery quality has been good, although there have been occasional issues with seeder. Demand is reported as good.

Yellow Squash & ZUCCHINI 

Squash and zucchini are down out of Georgia, with moderate supply and moderate demand reported. Squash and zucchini are down out of Mexico crossing through Arizona, with light supply and moderate demand reported.

GREEN BEANS  

The green bean market is down this week. Machine-picked product out of South Georgia is down, with moderate supply and light demand reported. Imported Haricot Verts are down, with light supply, light demand and a wide range in quality reported.

BELL PEPPERS

Green  

Green bells are steady this week. Product out of San Joaquin Valley, California is steady, with moderate supply and light demand reported.

Red  

Red bells are steady this week out of San Joaquin Valley, California, with moderate supply, light demand and fair quality reported.

TOMATOES 

Rounds  

Rounds are up this week. Product out of Mexico crossing through Texas is up, with moderate supply and good demand reported. Product out of Mexico crossing through California is up, with light supply and good demand reported.

Romas  

Roma tomatoes are up this week. Product out of Mexico crossing through Texas is up, with moderate supply, good demand and a wide range in quality reported. Product out of Mexico crossing through California is up, with light supply and good demand reported.

Grape & Cherry  

Grape and cherry tomatoes are up this week. Grape tomatoes out of Mexico crossing through Texas and California are up, with light supply and good demand reported. Cherry tomatoes out of Mexico crossing through California are up, with light supply and demand exceeding supply reported.

CARROTS  

The jumbo carrot market is mixed this week. Product out of Kern, California is down, with moderate supply and light demand reported. Product out of Mexico is up, with moderate supply, good demand and a wide range in quality reported.

GREEN ONIONS  

The green onion market is steady to up this week. Medium 48's are up out of Mexico, with moderate supply, good demand and a wide range in quality reported. Product out of South Carolina is steady, with light supply and good demand reported.

CAULIFLOWER  

The cauliflower market is up this week. Supplies are slightly below average due to inconsistent temperatures across the region. Overall quality is nice, with occasional brown spotting due to warmer temperatures and some mechanical bruising. Demand is increasing, according to suppliers.

ASPARAGUS  

The asparagus market is down this week. Product out of Peru is down, with moderate supply, light demand and a wide range in quality reported. Product out of Mexico is down, with light supply and light demand reported.

BROCCOLI  

The broccoli market is down this week. Supplies are light, with increased demand reported. Quality concerns include yellowing, brown beading and hollow core.

HANGING FRUIT

Apples and Pears

Apples  

All varieties out of Washington are steady, with moderate supply, moderate demand and good quality reported.

Pears  

The pear market is steady out of Washington, with moderate supply, moderate demand and good quality reported.

CITRUS

LEMONS  

The lemon market is flat this week. According to suppliers, the District 2 (Oxnard/Riverside Area) lemon crop is in its final harvest. It has a shorter shelf life, and sizes are smaller. Coachella has started harvesting and shipping new crop lemons in Riverside. Suppliers report that the harvest is getting more consistent each week, with only slight delays, as the weather stabilizes and the humidity drops. Yuma will begin harvesting at the end of this week, but supplies will be light initially, according to suppliers.

LIMES  

The lime market is down this week. In the Gulf of Mexico, there will continue to be a high incidence of skin breakdown, scarring and blanching due to rain, which will primarily affect bigger sizes, according to suppliers. In the Pacific Region, limes will have high skin breakdown, medium scarring and blanching due to rain, according to suppliers.

ORANGES  

The orange market is flat this week. Suppliers are reporting that the end of the season is approaching for Valencia oranges. Shelf life is short, so inventories should be kept tight. There are good supplies of 72 counts and 88 counts, but supplies of 113 counts and 138 counts are tight, according to suppliers.

BERRIES

STRAWBERRIES  

The strawberry market is down this week. Suppliers are reporting that Salinas production is starting to decline slightly, but that the fruit will continue to firm, full color and be very tasty. Current weather conditions will allow suppliers to continue to pack in this region until they get rained out. Santa Maria's overall production and quality are reported as good, with full color, firm fruit and good flavor profiles.

GRAPES  

The grape market is steady this week. Black Seedless, Red Globes, Red Seedless, White Seedless and Scarlett Royal are steady out of Kern, California, with moderate supply and good demand reported. Black Seedless, Red Seedless, Scarlet Royal and White Seedless are steady out of San Joaquin Valley, California, with moderate supply and good demand reported.

TROPICAL

PINEAPPLES  

Pineapple volumes have increased, and suppliers have reported good supply and quality.

BANANAS  

Banana quality and availability are reported as good. Suppliers are not reporting any problems with supply.

AVOCADOS  

Mexican avocados are down this week. 36’s, 40's, 48's, 60's and 70’s are down, with moderate supply and moderate demand reported on all other sizes.

MELONS

CANTALOUPES  

The cantaloupe market is up this week. Suppliers are reporting steady demand. Good and stable volume is reported, specifically on 9 counts.

HONEYDEWS  

The honeydew market is flat this week. Suppliers are reporting that demand has increased, while the supply has tightened.