MARKET UPDATE 04.02.26

Good afternoon,

ASPARAGUS demand is high due to the Easter pull. We should see lower demand starting next week as well as improved availability out of Peru. Look for this market to hang on through next week but ease around the second week of April. Quality out of PERU should also be an improvement on the late season Mexican product.

The BELL PEPPER story remains the same this week, with the only change being marginal improvement out of Florida. RED, YELLOW, and GREEN BELLS look to remain tight for at least another week.

The spring California TRANSITION is well underway. Initial volumes were strong but now that more demand is centered around the Salinas Valley, markets have slightly tightened. We are still early in the transition, so although quality should be improved from Arizona, anticipate some price fluctuations and possible size adjustments for the next few weeks on: LETTUCE, ROMAINE, CAULIFLOWER, BROCCOLI, and CA mixed veg.

Florida CELERY is gapping for a few weeks, sending prices higher. We should be able to finish out the month of April with some Florida product and then CELERY will join the rest of the lineup out in California!

GRAPE markets are on the rise as all the new arrivals have seen rain causing quality defects and decreased production. The change seemed to happen from week to week as arrivals hit the docks and importers were caught with limited stocks. GRAPE markets look to be on the rise, or at least elevated, through May until Mexican fruit comes available.

Strong demand and limited supplies are also affecting MELON markets. CANTALOUPE and HONEYDEW imports here in South Florida have been hit or miss when it comes to availability. Shippers have picked up on the trend and are beginning to ask for higher prices for inbound product.

FREIGHT costs continue to rise far too early in the season. Typically, July 4th is where pricing hits its peak. If that trend holds true this year, we are in for the most expensive freight market ever. Oil pricing due to the war plus stricter CDL requirements have truck pricing 30% higher compared to last year at this time.

More as it happens,

Parker Tannehill