Asparagus: Alert 

Asparagus remains very tight in Mexico especially on the larger sizes. Rain and winds in Caborca have caused lower yields. Markets continue to be more active with decreased volume coming out of Mexico. Peruvian production is starting to increase gradually, followed by domestic asparagus in the next few weeks. Quality is good. 

Broccoli: 

Markets are steady. Quality is good. 

Brussel Sprouts: Alert 

Markets are very active and sold out. Labor shortage is the big issue this time of year with harvesters taking time off for Holy Week in Mexico. The extended hot weather in Mexico has also caused damage to the plants and stunted the growth causing a smaller size structure to the Brussels. Quality is fair to good. 

Cabbage: 

• Green Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality is good. 
• Red Cartons: Markets are steady. Quality is good. 
• Bagged Cabbage: Market is steady. Quality is good. 

Carrots: 

• Cello markets are steady out West. Canada is winding down, costs are steady. 
• Loose Mexican product is steady and continues to be good quality. Canada market is steady 
• Value-add Snack Carrots are steady. Quality is good. 

Cauliflower: 

Markets are steady, but supplies are slightly tight. Fields are behind with cooler weather. Minimal black mildew has been reported. Quality is fair to good. 

Celery: 

Markets are at the bottom. Quality is good. 

Citrus: 

• Orange: markets are up. Peak sizes have moved into 72ct and larger sizes as we are now into the late season navels. Markets are strengthening on the smaller sizes due to sizing increasing. Brix are in the 13 range. Valencia’s are expected to come into play in May. Quality is good. 
• Lemon: Markets are firming up across the board due to the recent rain events helping the fruit size up. We’re seeing 140ct and smaller tighten up. Small fruit is expected to remain snug until District 2 ramps up with more volume around June. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) is the main growing region, with District 2 (Ventura County/Oxnard) supporting with minimal volume. Quality is good. 
• Limes: Demand is starting to pick up, and supplies will be down for the next week due to the holiday. We started seeing the number of crossings decrease at the end of last week which has already started to push pricing up. Overall quality continues to remain better than normal for this time of year, and the fruit is showing good color as well. The downside to currently being in the lowest volume crop of the year and seeing better quality than normal is the supply of #2s has been extremely limited for several weeks now and will continue that way for the next several weeks as well. Once Holy Week is over, we will move right into the start of the retail and foodservice pulls for Cinco de Mayo. 

Cucumbers: 

• Cucumber market is steady with the potential to soften over the next few days. Quality has been good on inbound. 
• Euro Cucumbers markets are steady on both Canada and Mexico. Quality is good. 

Eggplant: 

Market is elevated but will remain steady and the quality has been fair to good. 

Grapes: 

Grape prices are starting to rise. Particularly on quality green grapes. It is a two-tiered market with troubled fruit selling at a discount. Red grapes are also increasing in price but at a slower rate than greens. Again, with a wide range in quality and price. Quality is good. 

Herbs: Alert 

• Basil: Supplies are tight and sold out due to weather and shipping issues. Quality is fair. 
• Rosemary: Supplies are tight and sold out due to weather and shipping issues. Quality is fair. 

Leaf: 

• Romaine markets are steady. There is minimal fringe and tip burn being reported. Quality is good. 
• Romaine Heart markets are steady. There is minimal fringe and tip burn being reported. Quality is good. 
• Green Leaf markets are steady. There is minimal fringe and tip burn being reported. Quality is good. 
• Red Leaf markets are coming down. There is minimal fringe and tip burn being reported. Quality is good. 

Lettuce: 

Lettuce markets are up from last week. There has been some reports of slight insect damage and misshapen heads. Weights averaging from 38 – 43 pounds. Quality is good. 

Lettuce Tender Leaf: 

Arcadian, Spring Mix, Spinach, Cilantro, Arugula, and Italian Parsley. Markets are steady. Weather has been ideal for steady supplies to start the Salinas season. Quality is good. 

Melons: 

• Cantaloupes: market is firming up a bit. Inbound quality is good. 
• Honeydew: market is steady. Inbound quality is good. 

Onions: 

The Onion market is steady. Quality has been fair to good. 

Peppers: 

• Green bell markets have softened quite a bit since last week. Quality on inbound has been good. 
• Red Pepper markets are steady. Quality is fair to good. 

Pineapples: 

Market is steady but may get tighter due to tariffs. Quality has been good 

Potatoes: 

The Potato market is steady. Quality has been good. 

Strawberries & Bush Berries: Alert 

• Strawberry markets are up and sold out. Post Easter supplies are increasing out of Santa Maria and Oxnard. Light numbers of fruit are beginning to arrive on the market out of the Salinas and Watsonville areas. The full mixed berry line up should be available in the North in 2 to 3 more weeks. Quality is fair. 
• Raspberry markets are steady, but supplies are tight. Very light numbers are coming in from Central Mexico and Baja, but those numbers will increase as we approach May. Quality is good. 
• Blueberry markets are up. There is a shortage of product coming into the U.S. from Central Mexico and Baja, with Florida production just starting in small volumes. Georgia will follow shortly, and we expect improved supplies from all regions by the last week of April. California will begin light production over the next few weeks. Quality is good. 
• Blackberry markets are steady, but supplies are tight. Product is still coming primarily from Central Mexico and Baja. We are seeing product being rejected back to the growers due to quality specifications not being met. These rejections continue to cause shortages for some Texas and West Coast shippers. Red cell and soft fruit are the primary issues we are seeing. California production should begin early next month. Quality is fair. 

Squash: 

• Green markets are steady. Quality is good. 
• Yellow markets are steady. Quality is good. 

Tomatoes: 

Tomato production is improving across Florida and Mexico. In Florida, better weather has boosted supply and quality with upcoming transitions to Ruskin/Palmetto. Mexico continues to provide steady volumes and good quality across major regions, though some areas show minor quality issues due to past heat. New fields in Mexico are expected to support consistent supply in the coming weeks. 

• Round tomato markets are at the bottom. Quality is good. 
• Roma tomato markets are at the bottom. Quality is good 
• Grape tomato markets are steady. Quality is good 
• Cherry tomato markets are slightly up. Quality is good. 

Market