Market Report - September 2022
Market Alerts
An overview of the current produce market, including specific crops, weather conditions, freight costs and more.
Apples – Expect the gala market to continue to adjust as more volume comes in line as the new gala crop in Washington has started. Golds and Fujis remain very tight with new crops starting in the first half of September. Local PA Apple in stock!
Asparagus – Good demand and light supplies on both coasts.
Avocados – Good supplies of large fruit. Overall, good quality.
Bell Peppers – There is a moderate demand keeping prices fairly steady on both coasts. The green bell pepper market is level. Red bell peppers continue to remain short; both field pack and hot house demands are high. Jersey Fresh Green Peppers in stock and looking beautiful!
Berries (Blackberries) – Steady supplies and overall good quality.
Berries (Blueberries) – Currently, Central Mexico, Michigan, New Jersey, and the Pacific Northwest are all in production and seeing early production in Peruvian blueberries also begin to arrive.
Berries (Raspberries) – Better raspberry numbers are expected off the Central California Coast. Overall good quality.
Berries (Strawberries) – Better quality is being found in the Santa Maria area. Salinas and Watsonville are reaching the end of their plant-growing cycles. We expect a severe heat event over the next several days, affecting the quality of all berry varieties.
Broccoli – Broccoli supplies in both California and Mexico have been good. Expect supplies to start becoming tight as we move through the current heat wave. .
Brussels Sprouts – Supplies continue to be good.
Carrots – Carrot supplies are ample with Bakersfield’s growing region underway. Snack pack carrot demand is increasing due to schools being back in session.
Cauliflower – Cauliflower supplies in both California and Mexico have been good recently. Supplies are getting tighter as we move through the current heat wave. Expect the market to go up moving into the weekend.
Celery – The celery market has remained steady with most shippers. The quality continues to be above average. Overall good quality.
Citrus (Lemons) – Central Valley is finished and Oxnard/Ventura County is now the main growing region. A gap is expected between growing regions. Harvesting will end early-June and new crop production will start in early November. Overall good quality.
Citrus (Limes) – The lime market has leveled off. Two-tiered markets with a heavy amount of off-grade limes are available with better quality.
Citrus (Oranges) – Supplies of all sizes are extremely tight throughout the season. Overall good quality.
Corn – Jersey Fresh White and Yellow corn are abundant and offered at a great price point. Don’t miss out on this summer staple!
Cucumbers – Cucumber supplies are light on both coasts. Michigan and Ohio continue to deal with the wet weather as crops have passed peak production. The Westcoast supply has decreased due to rain in Mexico. Overall quality is good. Jersey Fresh Cucumbers in stock and ready to ship!
Eggplant – The market remains steady. East coast supply is plentiful while the west continues to deal with heat and less acreage that is planted this season. Jersey Fresh eggplant in stock today!
Garlic – The garlic supply remains tight and China’s imports will help offset it in a minor way. The new California crop for 2022 will help supplies. Overall the quality is good.
Grapes (Green) – Lots of very fresh, well-priced, green grapes are available.
Grapes (Red) – Lots of very fresh, well-priced, red grapes are available.
Green Onions – Green Onion supplies continue to be extremely limited with the hot weather in Mexico.
Kale – Steady supplies are keeping this market level.
Lettuce (Iceberg) – Salinas continues to produce lower yields than normal due to fusarium and INSV. Demand in the market has increased.
Lettuce Leaf – Red and green leaves, as well as romaine, are firm in the marketplace. Yields continue to suffer in the Salinas valley due to INVS and fusarium that growers are dealing with on a daily basis. Fringe and tip burns, as well as mildew and decay, have been reported upon arrival. Demand is light, but supplies are expected to be light throughout the week. Value-added green leaf and romaine items are being escalated.
Lettuce Tender Leaf – Supply has been good with fair quality with size and texture. Cilantro supplies are improving slightly.
Melons (Cantaloupe) – Supply and quality is good.
Melons (Honeydew) – Supply is light and quality is good.
Melons (Watermelon) – Supply is light and quality is good.
Mushrooms – Good supplies and steady prices.Local Mushroom varieties available, please reach out to us at 609.345.3229 x 2 or Sales@SeashoreEast.com for a full list of availability!
Onions – Washington and Idaho are gapping on yellows. Super colossal remains extremely short. Expect better supplies and lower prices after Labor Day.
Pears – Washington has started packing Bartletts. Also, red variety pears have started this week. California pears are still available.
Pineapples – Due to the storm season in the tropics, there is a light volume of pineapples.
Potatoes –The market remains high. Larger potatoes are available in Washington. Idaho continues to ramp up with small potatoes.
Squash – Light supplies continue to be available in all regions. Summer crops on the east coast are slowing down as we begin to transition south. North Carolina will start this week, followed by Georgia the following week. The Westcoast supply has improved as growers move into new fields. It will take Baja about two weeks to start their fall crops, which will help supplement the supply.
Stone Fruit – Nectarine season is winding down quickly and peach volume is decreasing. The plum market is steady. Overall, quality remains good.
Tomatoes – East coast supply of round and Roma tomatoes are expected to be on the lighter side until the fall crops begin mid-October. Supplies out of Northern California are steady. Grape supply is good in all regions. Jersey Fresh Large and Medium tomatoes in stock and ready to ship!
Weather
California –There will be a significant heat wave through the weekend with little to no marine layer. Over the weekend, temperatures are expected to rise to the 90s to 107 degrees in South Monterey County.
Mexico – There will be isolated showers and thunderstorms throughout the weekend. A trace amount of precipitation to 0.15 inches is expected. There is a possibility of higher rainfall totals in thunderstorm-prone areas.
Florida – Showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue through Thursday, then mostly dissipate through the weekend, giving Florida’s central and south a chance to dry out. Temperatures will remain near normal with highs in the mid-upper 90s and lows in the mid-upper 70s in the morning.
Arizona – A strong high-pressure ridge is strengthening over the region, bringing afternoon highs near record levels (102-114 degrees). There are excessive heat warnings today and Thursday as temperatures only drop a few degrees.
At Peak Season
Green Grapes
Red Grapes
Freight
Trucks remain steady in California. Trucks in the Northwest and Idaho continue to tighten up. The national average for diesel increased and is currently at 5.115 per gallon. The diesel price in California is now up to 6.202 per gallon.
Commodities at a Glance
Apples Quality is fair, pricing is higher
Asparagus Quality is good, pricing is steady
Avocado Quality is good, pricing is steady
Bell Peppers Quality is good, pricing is steady
Berries (blackberries) Quality is good, pricing is steady
Berries (blueberries) Quality is good, pricing is higher
Berries (raspberries) Quality is good, pricing is lower
Berries (strawberries) Quality is fair, pricing is steady
Broccoli Quality is fair, pricing is higher
Brussels Sprouts Quality is fair, pricing is steady
Carrots Quality is good, pricing is steady
Cauliflower Quality is fair, pricing is higher
Celery Quality is good, pricing is steady
Citrus (Lemons) Quality is good, pricing is steady
Citrus (Limes) Quality is good, pricing is steady
Citrus (Oranges) Quality is good, pricing is steady
Cucumbers Quality is good, pricing is higher
Eggplant Quality is fair, pricing is steady
Garlic Quality is good, pricing is higher
Grapes (Green) Quality is good, pricing is steady
Grapes (Red) Quality is good, pricing is lower
Green Onions Quality is fair, pricing is higher
Kale Quality is good, pricing is steady
Lettuce Iceberg Quality is fair, pricing is lower
Lettuce Leaf Quality is fair, pricing is steady
Lettuce Tender Leaf Quality is fair, pricing is steady
Melon (cantaloupe) Quality is good, pricing is steady
Melon (honeydew) Quality is good, pricing is steady
Melon (watermelon) Quality is good, pricing is steady
Onions Quality is good, pricing is higher
Pears Quality is good, pricing is steady
Pineapples Quality is good, pricing is steady
Potatoes Quality is good, pricing is higher
Squash Quality is good, pricing is steady
Stone Fruit Quality is good, pricing is steady
Tomatoes Quality is good, pricing is higher