Bondi Produce Market Report August 15th 2023

Cucumbers supply is slowly improving in the east as more local famers begin to harvest, volume is improving crossing through Texas and Otay Mesa. The hot pepper and tomatillo market remains very active with Sinaloa completed and Baja late to start, which is driving prices higher with strong demand on the Mexican national market keeping a majority of the product in Mexico. California volume continues to ramp up on hot peppers. Tomatoes remain tight this week crossing from Mexico, volume in the east will be hit and miss this week due to rain, and California tomato production is stable. Cantaloupe and honeydew production is now in full swing out of Firebaugh and Patterson. We are seeing tight supply on Pineapples and expect this to continue through October.

The shortage of large avocados is expected to last into September, possibly longer.  End users are sizing down where possible as reducing demand on 48s & larger will support a decrease in those overall market price points. The next Mexico crop transition will be from Loca into Aventajada in September, coinciding with Peru programs transitioning back into Mexico.  While the market will continue to adjust up & down week-over-week, the big downward adjustment that we would all like to see isn’t likely until Q4. Asparagus supplies remain minimal, especially on larger sizes large and larger. Mexico continues to face ongoing weather issues lowering yields and spear sizes, and there continue to be seedy tips. Peru is amid transition from the northern to the southern growing region, which is typical for this time of year. However, these volumes won’t be felt until early September.