Good afternoon,
ASPARAGUS supplies are improving out of Mexico and Peru. As cooler temperatures subside, we expect better availability on LG and STANDARD sizes first. In the following few weeks, we expect better availability on all sizes of ASPARAGUS.
Chilean RED and GREEN SEEDLESS are beginning to arrive in better numbers this week. With PERUVIAN supplies still available, we are seeing markets beginning to soften on import grapes. Reports indicate strong volume for the month of February, so we should see a good opportunity for promotion mid-way through the month. As always with overlapping grape seasons, there will be two tiers to this market, one price level for better quality Chilean fruit and another for importers looking to get rid of stock on older crop fruit as the new imports arrive.
This past week was the most difficult of the season for FLORIDA STRAWBERRIES. Freezing temperatures through week 4 of 2025 slowed growth and forced farmers to water the berries. In freezing temperatures, STRAWBERRIES are one of the few perishable commodities that you can run water on to intentionally freeze them, protecting the fruit from the adverse conditions. Warmer temperatures are already starting up and that trend should continue into February. Volume will be strong which means pricing will be dropping weekly now that we have moved past this freeze.
The near freezing conditions in Yuma caused some field issues in LETTUCE and LEAFY GREENS. Epidermal peel, blistering, and discoloration can be found in some pack outs as harvesting crews do their best to sort product before packing. SPINACH supplies are low due to the same cooler weather and there have been reports of some moisture in packs as well as possible prorates.
Vessel delays have been a huge problem both in South Florida and in the Northeast. The entire supply of MELONS and PINEAPPLE was cleared out this week as multiple vessels were delayed for the better part of the week. We should see better supplies into next week as these vessels are expected to clear tomorrow and over the weekend.
More as it happens,
Parker Tannehill