Produce movement across the U.S. is experiencing seasonal shifts, with varying trends in supply, pricing, and trade activity depending on origin and commodity. Below is a summary of market conditions for key fruits and vegetables:
Asparagus
Movement from the Walla Walla District and the Lower Yakima Valley, Washington, is expected to remain steady. Trading is moderate. Extra Fancy 11-pound cartons/crates large are mostly $32.00, standard are mostly $28.00–$32.00. Pyramid 28-pound bunched cartons of large and standard are mostly $60.00–$64.00. Imports from Peru through Southern California are expected to increase, with light supplies.
Avocado
Mexican avocados crossing through Texas are seeing increased movement. Trading is fairly active on conventional 70s and 84s. Prices for the 70s are higher, others mostly steady or lower. Conventional Hass 2-layer cartons: 32s are mostly $72.25–$74.25, 36s $71.25–$73.25, 40s and 48s $65.25–$67.25, 60s $53.25–$54.25, 70s $43.25–$44.25, 84s $27.25–$28.25. Organic 48s are $82.25–$84.25, 60s $70.25–$72.25, 70s $52.25–$54.25.
Cucumber
Movement from Mexico through Nogales is expected to decrease slightly. Trading is moderate. Prices are slightly higher. 1 1/9-bushel cartons: medium mostly $16.95–$18.95, fair quality $12.95–$14.95, ordinary quality $5.95–$7.95, small $7.95–$9.95, large $15.95–$17.95. Cartons 24s are $5.95–$7.95, 36s $8.95–$9.95. Quality is variable. From Texas, the movement is also decreasing. Large prices are slightly higher; medium mostly steady. Medium is $17.95–$19.95, fair quality $12.95–$14.95, ordinary $8.95–$9.95, large $19.95–$20.95.
Green bell pepper
Nogales crossings are decreasing seasonally. Trading is moderate with slightly lower prices. 1 1/9-bushel cartons: extra-large $18.95–$22.95, large $16.95–$20.95, medium $12.95–$16.95, irregular size fair quality $12.95–$14.95, small-medium fair quality $9.95–$11.95. The Central and South Florida movement remains steady. Prices are lower on most sizes. Jumbo are $12.00–$14.35, extra-large $13.35–$15.35, large $10.35–$12.35, fair quality $8.00–$9.35. Coachella Valley harvest is expected to begin the week of April 20, with generally good quality.
Strawberry
Oxnard's movement is increasing. Supplies are heavy. Early trading was active, later moderate. Prices are slightly lower. Flats of 8 1-pound containers with lids, medium are mostly $10.00–$14.00; organic mostly $18.00–$20.00. From Mexico through Otay Mesa, movement is steady. Mediums are mostly $10.00–$12.00; organic medium is $14.00–$18.00. Santa Maria's movement is also increasing, with medium priced mostly $10.00–$14.00; organic $18.00–$20.00. Salinas-Watsonville sees increasing movement.
Tomato
Mexican crossings through Texas are decreasing. Trading is slow. Prices are mostly unchanged. Vine Ripes 2-layer 4x4s are $7.37–$7.95, 4x5s $7.39–$7.95, 5x5s $7.13–$7.95, 5x6s $6.64–$6.95. 25-pound loose cartons: 4x4–4x5 sizes mostly $8.30–$8.95, 5x5–5x6 mostly $8.30. From Nogales, movement is increasing. Pricing and quality are similar to Texas.
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