Apples – The apple market remains tight this week as the new crop came in well below the normal crop size. We are projected to have around 100 million cases this year; this is compared to an average crop of around 125 to 130 million cases. This will make the third crop in a row that is considered below average. Expect product to remain tight as we enter the new year, with higher prices than normal in early 2023.
Broccoli & Cauliflower– Prices are falling on both as harvests catch back up with demand. Mexican fields are adding a lot of volume to the market and pressuring California growers.
Cabbage – Christmas week cold weather shut down Georgia’s cabbage harvest and they’re struggling to get started back up. They went from a glut of product to a shortage situation almost overnight.
Cucumbers, Squash and Peppers – Are recovering quickly after the Christmas week freeze. Mexico has plenty of squash and Florida is ramping back up on peppers and squashes also.
Greens – A 6 full-day historic freeze in the Southeast has destroyed the greens crop in the Carolinas and Georgia. We’re seeing small availability on kale and collards as crews work to clean up fields. Turnips and mustard are not as fortunate as none of those leaves can be salvaged. Prices rose last week with the shorter supplies.
Limes – Prices are way up as they normally are this time of year as harvests slow due to the cooler weather in Mexico.
Potatoes – markets remain strong as we wind down shipments for the holiday season. Large sized russets remain especially tight. Prices might ease off a bit after the New Year as demand typically dwindles as people make their New Year’s resolutions. That said, prices will remain elevated compared to historical averages as we continue to deal with a short crop.
Tomatoes – Supplies are much stronger out of Mexican and Florida fields. Prices continue to ease downward.
Q: Have you heard the joke about insomnia? You’ll never get tired of it.
