Produce Market Report for August 12, 2022
The potato market continues to be extremely tight. The heat and drought during the 2021 growing season led to farmers finishing up several weeks early. Additionally, cool and wet temps during the beginning of planting the 2022 crop has led to delays with harvesting the 2022-23 crop. Prices are elevated and quality is a concern.
Supplies continue to be tight on the larger sizes of asparagus due to various weather conditions in growing regions. Quality is low and prices are high. Be open to subbing sizes during this time.
Problems and Issues:
| Asparagus: Up significantly! Extreme market! Cucumber: Up $2 Green Bell Peppers: Up significantly Limes: Up $10 (for big boxes) Potatoes: Remain very high & quality is challenging Romaine Hearts: Up $3 Strawberries: Up significantly, some quality issues |
Caution:
| Apples (Gala & Golden Delicious): Prices increasing Green Onions: Prices up Herbs (Cilantro & Parsley): Prices up Oranges: Prices up Red Bell Peppers: Prices remain high |
Steady Items:
| Bananas, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Celery, Eggplant, Grapes, Green Bell Peppers, Lemons, Lettuce, Melons, Onions, Peaches, Romaine, Shallots, Squash, Tomatoes |
Prices coming down:
| Avocados: Continuing downward trend Brussels Sprouts: Harvest numbers up, steadying Corn: Down $4 |
More Market News
As mentioned above; Idaho potatoes, as well as other potato varieties, are one of the biggest produce concerns at this time due to the gap in growing seasons. This is impacting all sizes and grades. While demand exceeds supply and quality is a concern – we will all need to be flexible and open to alternatives.
Strawberry prices are extremely elevated and quality is a concern. Harvest numbers are low due to various conditions – soil disease, weather, labor shortages. Orders are being shorted and supply is weak.
We are heading into a gap in the domestic orange growing season. Supplies are getting tight and prices are trending upward. Limes are in shorter supply and prices are increasing.
Watermelon prices are elevated and supplies tight due to heavy rains in the current growing regions.
Romaine Heart supplies are improving but due to weather and soil conditions there are still some concerns with quality. Cilantro and Parsley numbers are down as well – supplies are limited and prices are elevated.
Corn numbers are starting to improve and prices are trending downward.
Our local (East of the Mississippi) produce is a varied but steady market. Squash, zucchini, eggplant, greens, cabbage are all steady.
Peak season for stone fruit, grapes, and melons coming from the west coast. Harvest numbers are great, prices are good, quality is a good as it gets!
