Bondi Produce Market Report September 18th 2023

Overview:

We are working with our Southeastern growers to assess damages by Hurricane Idalia this week in South Georgia and North Florida we do expect to see some volatile markets in that South Georgia timeframe. Florida did see losses in citrus and some local crops and areas of concern in the transition period in South Georgia are mixed citrus, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, hot pepper, and bell pepper. In general, we are seeing active markets on roma tomatoes and color bell pepper, and the hot pepper market remains very active between weather related pressure, late starts and supply gaps.

We hope to see markets improve over the next several weeks out of Mexico which should bring some relief to the market. Table grape markets are extreme due to sever losses and impacts of Hurricane Hillary and pineapples remain short which we expect to continue through October. With the demand from Peru and California shifting back to Mexico and a holiday week of reduced harvest, we can expect to see continued market strength for the next two weeks. Once this added demand for Mexican avocados is achieved and becomes the new normal, price points will taper off again. We expect an overlap of the Loca crop with Aventajada, in short, continued (limited) volatility for October leading to a more stable November & December.