For the week ending January 11, 2025
Overall industry supply has declined due to limited harvest and packing from the last two weeks. Due to the USDA’s restricted packing hours production is capped in Mexico, which has contributed to the industry-wide supply shortage.
Demand is very high, and as a result, prices on all sizes have increased and are expected to remain elevated over the next few weeks as the pipeline refills. The size curve continues to be heavy on small sizes with less availability on large sizes. The industry expects demand to remain high through early February.
California, Baja, Central Mexico, and Florida are all harvesting product. Once picking schedules return to normal after the New Year, supply levels and prices will come back.
Prices are holding favorable and relatively steady with strong supplies continuing to come in from Peru. The quality has been consistent with good sizing and supreme flavor. Both Chile and Mexico are beginning to ship more volume to the states, which will keep prices down well into January.
Driscoll’s are shipping strong supplies out of Central Mexico. Allowing for lower prices through the end of the year. Quality has been excellent in recent weeks.
Peak production volumes from Central Mexico and Baja are expected to be seen within the next 1-2 weeks. The market is steady with outstanding quality.
Production and quality have improved significantly from southern California and Yuma, allowing prices to come back down. This market should remain steady heading into the New Year.
Limited supplies continue to drive prices higher in late-December. Yuma has been off to a slow start for cauliflower, which is the primary growing area this time of year. Some quality issues such as discoloration have been reported industry wide. Expect the market to remain tight through the holidays and then come off once we get into mid-January..
Lemons, limes, grapefruit, and orange markets are all holding steady. California blood oranges, cara cara navels, and Satsuma mandarins are also in stock. Other specialty citrus varieties are available upon request: Sumo oranges, pomelo, Seville oranges, and oro blanco grapefruit.
The growing area transition to Yuma is pretty much complete as we head into Christmas. Ideal growing conditions in the southern regions have resulted in abundant harvest volumes and much improved quality and yields. Prices on all varieties, including precut lettuces, have dropped to favorable levels.
Port delays combined with tropical storms have prevented the offshore melon (cantaloupe and honeydew) season from gaining any momentum. Supplies are limited with high prices until increased shipments begin to arrive from Honduras and Costa Rica – most likely early January
Watermelons will also be tight for a few weeks as Mexico transitions from northern to southern growing areas. Florida and Georgia are producing much less volume than usual due to Hurricane Milton
Green bell peppers remain in short supply, but the market is starting to improve with a nice price drop for next week. Florida is the main growing area in the east. More favorable growing conditions are beginning to yield better numbers for farmers there. Red, yellow, and orange bell pepper prices have spiked once again with less product crossing over from Canadian greenhouses. Out west, the main growing area will transition from Caochella to Mexico within the coming week, so supplies are also limited.
Demand is still exceeding supply, especially on round 5×6 and 6×6 sizes. Florida is typically the main growing area this time of year, but farmers there have seen their seasons delayed due to hurricanes in recent months. Harvest volumes and prices are finally starting to improve heading into next week. Expect markets to stay well above average and gradually come down throughout January.
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