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Avocados shed 7.3% as Mexican supply floods terminals, while apple pear prices surge 11.7% on Chilean and Chinese import gaps, diesel jumps
ProduceWire
Weekly Brief Issue 26 · August 18, 2026
The week in one line
Avocados shed 7.3% as Mexican supply floods terminals, while apple pear prices surge 11.7% on Chilean and Chinese import gaps, diesel jumps 3.7%, and onion markets tighten globally on drought and rising export demand.
Commodity briefings
Avocados ▼ 7.3%
Mexican surge drives 7.3% price decline
Avocados averaged $35.64 wholesale, down 7.3% week-over-week with a range of $23.25–$50.25 across seven markets. Mexico dominates supply with Florida and Peru trailing. The Michoacan season closed 27% below prior year at 1.25 million tons to the U.S., but late-season volume is overwhelming terminals. Expect continued pressure through August as inventories clear, with support likely only if Mexico's new-crop sizing disappoints in early September. [1]
Apple Pears ▲ 11.7%
11.7% jump as import volumes tighten
Apple pears averaged $26.54, up 11.7% week-over-week with a range of $14.00–$34.00 across five markets. California, Chile, and China lead origins, but Chilean late-season volumes are winding down and Chinese shipments face continued freight cost headwinds. Retailers are chasing limited supply ahead of Labor Day promotions. Prices should hold in the high $20s through early September unless California accelerates domestic harvest.
Anise ▼ 8.5%
California supply softens prices 8.5%
Anise averaged $36.28, down 8.5% week-over-week with a range of $20.45–$40.00 across three markets. California is the sole origin, and harvest volumes are outpacing demand in Miami, New York, and Phoenix terminals. Foodservice channels remain sluggish post-summer peak. Look for prices to stabilize in the low $30s as growers slow picking and divert acreage to higher-margin herbs through late August.
Onions ▲ up
Export demand and drought lift prices globally
Onion markets are tightening across Europe and North America due to hot, dry weather that reduced early yields and delayed harvests. China's Shandong small red onion exports are up year-over-year with prices rising on limited high-quality supply. European growers report prices climbing one to two cents weekly as tight supply meets strong July demand. Greek harvesters cite uncertainty over cost recovery despite higher wholesale quotes. U.S. export activity is accelerating into the peak shipping window. Expect further upward pressure through September unless rainfall improves in key growing regions. [2][3][4][5]
Table Grapes — flat
California peaks mid-season, export volumes mixed
California table grape supply is at seasonal peak with good volumes entering mid-season. Harvest of early-season fruit is complete, with late-season programs starting mid-to-late September. Greece's seeded varieties face weak demand while downy mildew is hitting seedless crops. China's Shine Muscat exports are under pressure from oversupply, compressing margins. India is importing Chinese Shine Muscat at nearly double last season's pace, absorbing some excess volume. U.S. domestic supply should remain ample through Labor Day, with pricing dependent on September heat and export channel absorption. [6][7][8][9]
The rest of the market
Most widely traded commodities this week · tap any for full detail
Commodity Avg Range vs. Prior
Apples $37.85 $28.00–52.00 ▼ 2.1%
Bananas $22.16 $16.00–32.50 ▲ 7.6%
Basil $9.99 $5.00–26.00 ▲ 7.8%
Beets $22.26 $12.00–38.00 ▲ 1.6%
Blueberries $21.98 $7.00–30.00 ▼ 2.0%
Bok Choy $26.99 $14.75–36.00 ▲ 1.5%
Cabbage $17.97 $12.00–30.00 ▲ 1.8%
Carrots $28.53 $16.50–39.00 ▼ 3.1%
Celery $29.87 $21.00–42.00 ▼ 1.2%
Corn, Sweet $20.56 $16.00–33.00 ▼ 8.9%
Cucumbers $18.95 $9.00–38.00 ▼ 4.0%
Dry Eschallot $30.22 $14.00–65.00 ▼ 3.0%
Eggplant $26.04 $16.00–42.00 ▲ 2.9%
Garlic $59.29 $40.00–88.00 — 0.1%
Grapefruit $32.51 $22.00–40.00 ▼ 2.2%
Grapes $35.28 $26.00–45.00 ▼ 6.7%
Greens, Kale $19.96 $14.00–30.00 ▼ 1.7%
Lemons $33.44 $20.00–44.00 — 0.8%
Limes $30.49 $12.00–42.00 ▲ 27.9%
Mangoes $11.05 $8.00–14.00 ▼ 4.6%
Mushrooms $19.55 $11.50–29.00 — 0.9%
Nectarines $32.71 $22.95–38.00 ▲ 2.5%
Oranges $30.37 $22.00–42.00 — 0.9%
Papaya $29.88 $21.00–39.00 ▲ 2.8%
Parsley $27.42 $16.50–36.00 ▲ 1.4%
Peaches $33.66 $28.00–38.00 ▲ 1.2%
Pears $42.34 $32.00–53.00 ▲ 2.1%
Peppers, Bell Type $18.88 $11.00–35.00 ▲ 4.9%
Peppers, Jalapeno $22.78 $15.00–38.00 ▲ 3.0%
Plums $39.25 $30.00–48.00 ▼ 4.5%
Potatoes $28.64 $13.00–58.00 — 0.3%
Radishes $21.50 $15.00–34.00 ▲ 2.6%
Squash, Yellow Straightneck $17.70 $14.00–25.00 ▲ 3.3%
Squash, Zucchini $16.42 $13.00–22.00 ▲ 11.4%
Sweet Potatoes $35.73 $21.00–68.00 ▼ 2.3%
Tangerines $34.43 $25.00–46.50 — 0.4%
Tomatoes $21.17 $15.00–28.00 ▲ 3.6%
Tomatoes, Grape Type $16.79 $12.00–30.50 — 0.4%
Tomatoes, Plum Type $18.18 $15.00–28.00 ▲ 2.5%
Watermelons $141.69 $15.00–248.50 ▼ 4.9%
Cross-commodity signals
  • Diesel spiked 3.7% to $5.454/gallon, the sharpest weekly gain in three months, compressing margins for long-haul commodities including Mexican avocados, Peruvian asparagus, and Chilean apple pears. Florida severe thunderstorm warnings add volatility to citrus and tropical specialty supply chains.
  • California almond prices closed the 2025/26 season up 26.5% at $3.10/lb, driven by tighter supply and steady export demand — a bullish signal for tree nuts broadly, with walnut and pistachio pricing likely to follow similar trajectories into fall. See article 10571.
  • Chinese pomelo production is up 10% this season, but persistently high shipping costs are squeezing export margins, mirroring the oversupply and freight pressure hitting Shine Muscat grapes. See articles 10558, 10253.
  • Jalapeño recalls expanded from Coast Citrus Distributors to Whole Foods and Dairyland Produce over Salmonella risk, pulling volume from Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas terminals and temporarily tightening pepper markets. See articles 10260, 10567, 10606.
What to watch next week
  • Apple harvest timing in Washington, New York, and Pennsylvania — early indicators show production growth across key varieties, and any delay will collide with late-season Southern Hemisphere carryover. See article 10570.
  • Idaho potato acreage dropped 15,000 acres this year due to drought, low prices, and pesticide-resistant pests; expect tighter fall supply and higher processing costs if yields underperform. See article 10294.
  • EU citrus imports hit a record 1.57 million tons this season, up sharply from prior years, signaling structural demand growth that will pressure Southern Hemisphere suppliers into 2027. See article 10578.
  • Maersk's new export security surcharge takes effect October 1 — $15/container from U.S. ports, $12 from Canada — adding another layer of cost to an already elevated freight environment. See article 10553.
Compliance reminder
FSMA 204 enforcement remains active. See PTI Label Studio for traceability label validation.
Sources
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