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Artichokes surge 12.8% on California supply tightness while asparagus climbs 9.3% as Mexican and Peruvian volumes lag into peak demand, even
ProduceWire
Weekly Brief Issue 27 · August 25, 2026
The week in one line
Artichokes surge 12.8% on California supply tightness while asparagus climbs 9.3% as Mexican and Peruvian volumes lag into peak demand, even as diesel jumps 3.7% and Canadian tariff uncertainty returns.
Commodity briefings
Artichokes ▲ 12.8%
California squeeze drives 12.8% jump
Artichokes averaged $46.24, up 12.8% week-over-week with a range of $30.75–$70.00. California dominates supply across five markets. Tightening availability in the Salinas Valley, likely compounded by heat and disease pressure affecting leafy greens in the same region, is pushing prices higher. Expect continued firmness through early September unless yields improve. [1]
Asparagus ▲ 9.3%
Mexico and Peru volumes lag demand
Asparagus averaged $56.03, up 9.3% week-over-week with a range of $48.00–$64.50. Mexico and Peru anchor supply across six markets. Supply is tightening as peak summer demand hits; Mexican production is not keeping pace. With diesel up 3.7% to $5.454/gallon and flash flood warnings in Arizona, logistics are adding incremental pressure. Prices should hold above $55 through early September.
Apples ▼ 1.1%
Early Chinese arrivals pressure imports
Apples averaged $37.45, down 1.1% week-over-week with a range of $28.95–$52.00. Washington, New York, and Pennsylvania lead 197 listings across ten markets. Early arrival of Chinese apples is putting downward pressure on already high imported apple prices in key markets, weakening domestic pricing power. Expect continued softness as southern hemisphere and Chinese volumes overlap with new domestic crop anticipation through September. [2]
Apple Pears ▼ 7.7%
China, California supply drives 7.7% drop
Apple pears averaged $24.50, down 7.7% week-over-week with a range of $14.00–$35.00. China, California, and Chile supply eighteen listings across six markets. The decline mirrors broader apple market pressure as Chinese fruit arrivals accelerate and overlap with domestic and Chilean volumes. Prices should stabilize in the $23–$25 range as the market absorbs the current supply wave. [2]
Apricots ▼ 3.6%
Washington and California volumes ease pricing
Apricots averaged $42.75, down 3.6% week-over-week with a range of $38.00–$56.00. Washington and California supply eight listings across three markets. The decline reflects late-season volume pushing through before the window closes. With the season winding down, expect prices to firm slightly as availability tightens into early September.
The rest of the market
Most widely traded commodities this week · tap any for full detail
Commodity Avg Range vs. Prior
Avocados $35.29 $22.00–50.25 — 1.0%
Bananas $20.91 $16.00–32.00 ▼ 5.6%
Basil $9.99 $5.00–24.00 — 0.0%
Beets $21.57 $12.00–36.00 ▼ 3.1%
Bok Choy $26.70 $14.75–47.00 ▼ 1.1%
Cabbage $17.77 $12.00–31.00 ▼ 1.1%
Carrots $28.28 $16.00–38.00 — 0.9%
Celery $30.26 $20.00–45.00 ▲ 1.3%
Corn, Sweet $19.50 $14.00–30.00 ▼ 5.2%
Cucumbers $20.37 $8.00–40.00 ▲ 7.5%
Eggplant $24.21 $14.00–42.00 ▼ 7.0%
Figs $28.95 $9.00–50.00 — 0.8%
Garlic $58.13 $40.00–88.00 ▼ 2.0%
Grapefruit $27.79 $17.10–40.00 ▼ 14.5%
Grapes $35.73 $25.00–43.00 ▲ 1.3%
Greens, Kale $20.69 $14.00–32.00 ▲ 3.7%
Kiwifruit $37.94 $22.00–44.00 ▲ 3.9%
Lemons $31.66 $21.00–42.00 ▼ 5.3%
Limes $29.09 $12.00–38.00 ▼ 4.6%
Mangoes $11.43 $8.00–16.00 ▲ 3.4%
Mushrooms $19.50 $11.50–30.00 — 0.3%
Nectarines $32.48 $22.95–38.00 — 0.7%
Onions, Dry $26.56 $16.00–40.00 ▲ 1.2%
Onions, Green $23.21 $16.00–31.00 ▲ 14.8%
Oranges $30.07 $21.00–41.00 — 1.0%
Papaya $28.81 $21.00–39.00 ▼ 3.6%
Parsley $26.88 $16.50–35.00 ▼ 2.0%
Peaches $34.47 $24.95–40.00 ▲ 2.4%
Pears $42.60 $29.00–55.00 — 0.6%
Peppers, Bell Type $17.99 $10.00–35.00 ▼ 4.7%
Plums $40.70 $30.00–48.00 ▲ 3.7%
Potatoes $30.54 $15.00–56.00 ▲ 6.6%
Radishes $21.52 $15.00–34.00 — 0.1%
Squash, Zucchini $20.66 $16.00–26.00 ▲ 25.8%
Sweet Potatoes $36.14 $21.00–68.00 ▲ 1.1%
Tangerines $34.02 $26.00–46.50 ▼ 1.2%
Tomatoes $21.80 $12.00–29.00 ▲ 3.0%
Tomatoes, Grape Type $17.35 $12.00–30.00 ▲ 3.3%
Tomatoes, Plum Type $20.56 $14.00–27.00 ▲ 13.1%
Watermelons $147.03 $20.00–240.00 ▲ 3.8%
Cross-commodity signals
  • Diesel jumped 3.7% to $5.454/gallon, with flash flood warnings in Arizona threatening distribution corridors for asparagus, leafy greens, and desert vegetable programs. Freight cost pressure is materializing across all categories.
  • California supply tightness is showing up across multiple commodities: artichokes surged 12.8%, lettuce faces disease pressure and lower yields in Salinas Valley (see article 11069), and arugula origins have shifted toward Florida and New Jersey as California volumes tighten.
  • Canadian tariff uncertainty returned after a brief pause; 50% tariffs are back in force after failed negotiations (see articles 10659, 10694, 11124, 11126, 11211). Impact will hit berries, potatoes, and greenhouse vegetable programs hardest as fall volumes ramp.
  • Peruvian blueberry exports to China surged 631% at the start of the 2026/27 season (see article 10690), signaling aggressive positioning in Asia even as U.S.-bound volumes rose 74% (see article 10886). Watch for Chinese demand to pull supply away from North American markets.
What to watch next week
  • Canadian tariff impact will materialize in September as greenhouse tomato, pepper, and cucumber programs hit peak fall volumes; processors and foodservice buyers should lock pricing now.
  • Alfalfa sprouts face multistate E. coli and Salmonella outbreak with 55 illnesses across 15 states (see articles 11106, 10983); expect retail delistings and category-wide scrutiny through Q3.
  • Hurricane season is active and will disrupt Florida citrus, avocado, and tropical programs; Arizona flash flood warnings compound logistics risk across the Southwest corridor.
  • Onion shortage expected to persist through year-end in South Africa due to weather-related supply failures (see article 10908); Chinese small red onion exports are entering peak season with prices up year-over-year (see article 10556), creating arbitrage pressure on U.S. domestic programs.
  • California almond prices closed the 2025/26 season up 26.5% at $3.10/lb on tighter supply and steady export demand (see article 10571); early positioning for the 2026/27 crop will be critical as buyers face reduced carryover.
Compliance reminder
FSMA 204 enforcement remains active. See PTI Label Studio for traceability label validation.
Sources
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