Farmer's Report

Produce Trends - January 21, 2022

All produce pricing trends are based on USDA data as of January 18, 2022.

VEGETABLES

POTATOES

Russets  

The russet market is mixed this week. Out of Idaho, 70 count Norkotahs, 90 count Norkotahs, 90 count Burbanks and 6 oz. minimum size Norkotahs are down, 70 count Burbanks are steady; and 70 count Burbanks are up. Moderate supply and moderate demand is reported out of Idaho. Out of Washington/Oregon, 70 count Norkotahs are steady and 90 count Norkotahs are down; with moderate supply and moderate 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 moderate demand reported. Product out of Minnesota is up, with moderate supply and good demand reported.

Yellows  

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

CABBAGE

Round Green  

The cabbage market is flat this week. Supplies are expected to be tight for the next two weeks, and some of the cabbage has a cone shape, according to suppliers.

LEAF LETTUCE

green Leaf  

The green leaf market is down this week. Demand remains steady this week, but supplies have the potential to wane, as cool temperatures forecasted for the next few weeks could delay overall growth and lighten yields, according to suppliers. Quality is reported to be good.

Romaine  

The romaine market is down this week. Good supply and steady demand are reported going into next week. Quality remains good; however, product may show signs of blistering and peeling due to freezing morning temperatures. The harvesting crews will continue to pack the best product available, according to suppliers.

ICEBERG  

The iceberg market is down this week. Good supplies are expected for the next couple of weeks. Due to cold weather, there are some signs of light epidermal peel and mildew. The harvesting crews will pack the best quality available, according to suppliers.

GARLIC  

There are lighter supplies out of California, but garlic suppliers are holding to normal order sizes this week for peeled garlic.

ONIONS  

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

MUSHROOMS  

There continue to be lighter supplies on baby bellas, oysters, portabellas, and shiitakes. There is fair quality reported from the East Coast. The American Mushroom Institute reports that supply chain shortages, transportation constraints, reduced farm labor and threats of crop disease are all factors that are negatively impacting U.S. mushroom production. Suppliers are optimistic that supply and quality will improve.

CILANTRO  

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

CUCUMBERS  

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

CELERY  

The celery market is down this week. Supply is good, demand remains steady and quality remains good, according to suppliers.

Yellow Squash & ZUCCHINI  

Squash is up, while zucchini is down out of Mexico crossing through Arizona, with light supply and good demand reported on squash, moderate supply and good demand reported on zucchini, and a wide range in quality reported on both. Squash is steady, while zucchini is up out of Central and South Florida, with moderate supply and light demand reported on squash, and light supply and good demand reported on zucchini.

GREEN BEANS  

The green bean market is up this week. Machine-picked product out of Central and South Florida is up, with light supply and good demand reported. Product out of Mexico crossing through Arizona is up, with moderate supply and moderate demand reported. Imported Haricot Verts are up, with light supply, moderate demand and a wide range in quality reported.

BELL PEPPERS

Green  

Green bells are down this week. Product out of Central and South Florida is down, with light supply and light demand reported. Product out of Mexico crossing through Arizona is down, with good supply and light demand reported.

Red  

Red bells are down this week. Product out of Mexico crossing through Arizona is down, with good supply and light demand reported.

Hot  

Hot peppers are steady to down this week. Habañeros, Serranos, Anaheims and Jalapenos are all down, while Poblanos are steady. There is moderate supply, moderate demand and a wide range in quality reported.

TOMATOES 

Rounds  

Red rounds are steady this week. Product out of Mexico crossing through Texas and Arizona is steady, with moderate supply and demand reported. Product out of Central and South Florida is steady, with moderate supply and good demand reported.

Romas  

Roma tomatoes are steady to down this week. Product out of Mexico crossing through Texas is down, with moderate supply, light demand and a wide range in quality reported. Product out of Mexico crossing through Arizona is steady, with good supply and light demand reported. Product out of Central and South Florida is down, with moderate supply and light demand reported.

Grape & Cherry  

Grape tomatoes are steady to down this week. Product out of Mexico crossing through Texas and Arizona is steady, with moderate supply and light demand reported. Product out of Central and South Florida is down, with moderate supply and moderate demand reported. Cherry tomatoes are steady this week out of Central and South Florida, with light supply and good demand reported.

CARROTS  

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

GREEN ONIONS  

The green onion market is steady to down this week. Medium 48's are down out of Mexico, with moderate supply and moderate demand reported. Product out of South Carolina is steady, with moderate supply and good demand reported.

CAULIFLOWER  

The cauliflower market is up this week. Supplies are light, as weather conditions in production regions in California, Arizona and Mexico had an impact on the growing cycle and harvests during December and January. In addition, weather conditions have affected availability throughout January. Demand continues to increase, and the market is climbing, according to suppliers.

ASPARAGUS  

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

BROCCOLI  

The broccoli market is up this week. Increasing demand and light supplies are being reported, with no quality issues, according to suppliers.

HANGING FRUIT

Apples and Pears

Apples  

Fujis are down, while all other varieties out of Washington are steady, with moderate supply, good 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, all 3 districts are being picked and packed to keep up with demand on all sizes and grades. Suppliers expect to complete picking in District 3 this week, but will continue to harvest in Districts 1 and 2 as they continue to pick, pack and ship.

LIMES  

The lime market is flat this week. with prices reaching their highest level since May 2021, according to the USDA. In the Atlantic Region, suppliers expect low volume and low quality, with more oil spotting, decay, and skin breakdown, due to last week’s rains across the Gulf of Mexico. They also expect continued blanching and scarring. 200 counts and 230 counts continue to have the highest volumes. There are some delays in inbound and outbound transit, due to the rain last week. In the Pacific Region, suppliers expect lower volumes due to weather. Medium to small sizes continue to have the highest volumes. There could be more oil spotting, scarring and skin breakdown due to cold temperatures, according to suppliers. Pricing continues to be unstable due to tight volume in both regions, according to suppliers.

ORANGES  

The orange market is up this week. Suppliers are reporting that the industry has been in short supply, and that with demand as strong as it is for both domestic and export needs, supply will continue to be an issue, as the industry starts to experience short picks from the field. Also, with the light tree set, sizing is inclined towards 88 count and 72 count, which is creating additional shortages on small and extra large fruit, according to suppliers.

BERRIES

STRAWBERRIES  

The strawberry market is down this week. Suppliers in Oxnard are reporting that quality is good, with nice shape, sheenand color, while production continues to increase. Suppliers in Santa Maria are reporting that overall quality is good, with occasional pin rot on organic fruit and a few green shoulders on conventional fruit. The organic Fall crop production has increased, and light first harvests are underway for conventional Spring crops. Suppliers in Florida report that quality is good, with occasional green tips, and that sizing and production continue to steadily increase. Suppliers in Mexico report that quality is good, with occasional overripe or bruised fruit due to labor shortages. They also report that production is steady and will continue to increase over the coming weeks.

GRAPES  

The grape market is steady this week. Crimson Seedless, Flame Seedless, Red Seedless, Red Globes and White Seedless are all steady, with light supply and demand exceeding supply reported out of Peru.

TROPICAL

PINEAPPLES  

The pineapple market is up this week, with good supply and quality reported by suppliers.

BANANAS  

The banana market is up this week. Good quality and availability are reported. Suppliers are not reporting any supply issues at this time, but note that the traditional winter cycle is expected to arrive around February, which could impact volumes due to the temperatures in the tropics.

AVOCADOS  

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

MELONS

CANTALOUPES  

The cantaloupe market is flat this week. Suppliers report that due to good weather conditions recently, the size profile overall is inclined to larger sizes (jumbo 9 count and 9 count). The market continues to be steady, with fairly good demand.

HONEYDEWS  

The honeydew market is flat this week. Suppliers report that due to good weather conditions recently, the size profile overall is inclined to jumbo 5 count and 5 count. The market continues to be steady, with fairly good demand.