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Artichokes surge 6.4% as California supply tightens while asparagus and avocados retreat on improved import flow from Peru and Mexico.
ProduceWire
Weekly Brief Issue 29 · September 8, 2026
The week in one line
Artichokes surge 6.4% as California supply tightens while asparagus and avocados retreat on improved import flow from Peru and Mexico.
Commodity briefings
Artichokes ▲ 6.4%
California supply tightens, +6.4% surge
Artichokes averaged $55.77, up 6.4% week-over-week with a range of $35.55–$70.00 across four major markets. California remains the sole origin. Supply constraints drove prices higher as the tail end of the season approaches. Expect continued upward pressure through September unless weather patterns shift to extend harvest.
Asparagus ▼ 6.1%
Peru-Mexico imports ease prices 6.1%
Asparagus wholesale averaged $58.05, down 6.1% week-over-week with a range of $48.75–$65.00. Peru and Mexico dominate supply across six markets including Boston, Chicago, Fresno, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York. Improved import flow from both origins relieved earlier tightness. Prices should stabilize in the $56–$60 range barring logistics disruptions, though Texas flood warnings merit monitoring for cross-border freight delays.
Avocados ▼ 3.0%
Mexico-Florida flow softens prices 3.0%
Avocados averaged $33.98, down 3.0% week-over-week with a range of $22.25–$48.25 across seven markets. Florida, Mexico, and California supply all channels. Chile's 2026-27 crop is projected to reach 285,000 tons, a 17-year high and 10% above prior season, which will apply additional pressure when Southern Hemisphere volume ramps in Q4. EU markets face congestion and price weakness from competing origins. India's market is entering a more measured growth phase as Tanzanian volumes correct from peak levels. Expect the $32–$36 range to hold near-term, with downside risk building as Chilean fruit arrives. [1][2][3][4][5]
Apples ▼ 0.2%
Washington crop holds steady, -0.2%
Apples averaged $38.26, down 0.2% week-over-week with a range of $26.40–$55.00 across ten markets. Washington, New York, and Pennsylvania lead origins. Turkey's new season offers stronger quality and availability after a difficult 2025, adding competitive pressure to U.S. exports. India's imported apple market faces intensifying competition as domestic crop arrival accelerates, squeezing Northern Hemisphere suppliers just as the transition from Southern Hemisphere supply begins. Prices should remain range-bound in the $37–$39 band through mid-September. [6][7]
Citrus — flat
Brazilian juice revenue plunges 37.5%
Brazilian orange juice export revenue fell 37.5% year-on-year in July despite higher shipment volumes, with average export prices down 41.7% to $2,390.75 per ton. South Africa cut its 2026 citrus export estimate from 209.4 million 15kg cartons to 197.9 million, below the 204 million final 2025 volume, following a season affected by weather and logistics challenges. California growers are seeking a tariff-rate quota on Argentine lemons as import volumes overlap with the domestic harvest window, intensifying competitive pressure. [8][9][10]
The rest of the market
Most widely traded commodities this week · tap any for full detail
Commodity Avg Range vs. Prior
Bananas $21.12 $16.00–32.00 — 0.3%
Basil $10.17 $5.00–18.00 — 0.0%
Beets $21.27 $12.00–38.00 — 0.0%
Cabbage $17.63 $13.00–36.00 — 0.1%
Carrots $27.08 $15.00–39.00 ▼ 2.8%
Celery $29.32 $20.00–42.00 — 0.8%
Cucumbers $20.37 $10.00–36.00 — 0.3%
Dragon Fruit (Pitaya) $27.89 $17.00–36.00 ▼ 6.8%
Eggplant $23.50 $14.00–42.00 — 0.0%
Figs $32.71 $8.00–46.00 — 0.3%
Garlic $57.17 $40.00–86.00 ▼ 1.1%
Grapes $36.06 $27.50–42.00 ▼ 1.1%
Greens, Kale $19.64 $14.00–30.00 ▼ 2.5%
Kiwifruit $39.05 $20.00–48.00 ▲ 1.9%
Lemons $29.76 $22.00–40.00 ▼ 1.2%
Limes $28.30 $12.00–40.00 ▼ 1.6%
Mangoes $12.32 $10.00–16.00 ▲ 6.8%
Mushrooms $19.45 $12.00–29.00 — 0.3%
Nectarines $33.37 $25.00–40.00 — 0.3%
Onions, Dry $26.85 $16.00–40.00 — 0.6%
Onions, Green $29.55 $21.00–38.00 ▲ 5.7%
Oranges $28.76 $20.00–47.00 — 0.9%
Papaya $27.39 $19.00–39.00 ▼ 1.5%
Parsley $26.48 $18.00–35.00 ▼ 2.3%
Peaches $35.27 $26.95–40.00 — 0.4%
Pears $41.51 $28.00–56.00 ▼ 2.3%
Peppers, Bell Type $16.83 $8.00–30.00 — 0.4%
Peppers, Jalapeno $26.35 $17.00–38.00 ▲ 17.3%
Pineapples $22.55 $12.00–45.00 ▲ 9.6%
Plums $43.39 $35.00–50.00 ▲ 1.5%
Pomegranates $52.54 $22.00–70.00 — 0.6%
Potatoes $29.74 $15.00–55.00 ▲ 3.0%
Radishes $22.61 $16.00–35.00 ▲ 5.3%
Squash, Zucchini $21.73 $15.00–28.00 — 0.2%
Sweet Potatoes $35.23 $20.00–68.00 — 0.0%
Tangerines $33.64 $26.00–46.50 ▲ 1.1%
Tomatoes $23.30 $14.35–33.00 ▼ 1.1%
Tomatoes, Grape Type $18.41 $14.00–30.00 ▲ 2.4%
Tomatoes, Plum Type $23.54 $18.00–32.00 — 0.2%
Watermelons $159.67 $23.00–248.50 ▲ 1.6%
Cross-commodity signals
  • Texas flood warnings create dual risk for asparagus and avocado freight, both heavily reliant on Mexico cross-border flows through affected corridors.
  • Southern Hemisphere supply transitions are compressing pricing across apples, avocados, and citrus simultaneously as Chilean volume builds and South African citrus winds down below prior-year levels.
  • Diesel prices dropped 0.9% to $5.599/gallon, offering modest relief on freight costs just as import volumes from Peru, Mexico, and Chile intensify across multiple categories.
What to watch next week
  • Chile's 285,000-ton avocado crop—largest in 17 years—begins arriving Q4, likely pushing U.S. wholesale below $30 if Florida and Mexico volumes hold.
  • California citrus growers' TRQ petition on Argentine lemons will determine whether domestic harvest window protection materializes or import competition intensifies through Q1 2027.
  • North Dakota River Valley potato volume is down significantly due to June rains and southern Valley drought; monitor for November-December supply gaps and price spikes in fresh reds and yellows.
Compliance reminder
FSMA 204 enforcement remains active. See PTI Label Studio for traceability label validation.
Sources
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