Feb 20, 2023

Organic citrus supply, quality still good; potato problems loom

Organic citrus continues to be plentiful, with peak season supply in late February and promotional opportunities extending into March, according to Organic Produce Network’s Week 7 report.

Larger fruit is becoming more prevalent because of heavy rain in California to open the year, with organic navel oranges peaking with jumbo 40-48 count and four-pound bags. Cara cara oranges are in excellent supply, while tango mandarins are also in good supply.

Organic grapefruit, lemons and pummelos supplies are steady, while organic blood oranges, Minneola tangelos and specialty citrus are available but not abundant.

Mexican-grown organic mini mix sweet peppers are also in great supply, while organic green bell peppers from Punta Gorda, Florida, continue to yield strong supplies with outstanding quality and promotable prices. The harvest flush on organic color bell peppers from Mexico is subsiding and prices are returning to normal levels. Although volumes will decrease, quality is expected to remain strong. Organic chili peppers and specialty peppers are readily available from Florida, including shishito peppers.

Heading into March, organic euro and mini seedless cucumbers will start to drop in price. Cucumbers from Mexico are stable in volume with consistent quality and pricing.

Hass avocados are in great supply with promotable volume, while Kent Mangos will see volume dropping heading into March.

Organic pineapple supplies from Costa Rica will continue to be strong, while organic broccoli remains in steady supply from Arizona and California, though supplies are expected to tighten and prices to increase next month.

Supply continues to be limited and costs higher for organic cauliflower as colder temperatures in desert growing regions have slowed growth.

Organic russet potato supply will tighten in the next few weeks and remain limited into April, with multiple growing regions reporting complete crop failures of storage potatoes that were expected to bridge the gap from February to July. Colorado is the only region that has any meaningful quantity of organic potatoes, though quality is subpar.

Organic blueberries remain promotable and good quality out of Chile, while raspberry supplies are improving. Strawberries remain expensive, though prices are dropping. Blackberry supplies are tightening but no shortages are expected, and quality has been excellent.

Organic grapes are being imported from Peru and South Africa, with excellent quality on Peruvian fruit. ­

— Organic Produce Network