MARKET UPDATE 07.16.26

Good afternoon,

ASPARAGUS supplies remain tight out of Mexico and Peru. Domestic crops finished at the end of June, leaving import supplies to cover demand. High levels of heat in both growing regions have impacted supplies and although PERU imports are picking up, we do not expect significant relief for another few weeks.

Domestic MELONS have transitioned to California providing significant relief to pricing! After a few weeks of historic highs, California CANTALOUPE and HONEYDEW have arrived. Fruit will peak on larger sizes for at least another few weeks as supplies begin to catch up with demand.

BLUEBERRIES have improved and increased out of Michigan and the Pacific Northwest. Quality is firm with sweetness returned as we move up to cooler northern climates.

California GRAPES are beginning to shine! The central valley crop has settled in with great quality and availability. We are entering the ideal period for California grapes over the next few months barring any weather events. Red SEEDED grapes follow slightly behind schedule to RED and GREEN seedless, so perhaps another week or two and California GLOBES will see the same improvements.

FREIGHT markets remain elevated, especially out of the west coast. Several factors have taken trucks off the road this year, increased fuel prices and nondomicile driver restrictions to name a few, and the effects are felt nationwide. The west coast faces the tightest markets as July brings the full perishable catalog to California. From the full line of vegetables, to plums, grapes, melons, and more, demand for trucks out of California is on the rise bringing up market pricing with it.

More as it happens,

Parker Tannehill