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Diesel surged 6.6% as apple prices firmed across major export origins and Peru tightened blueberry supply forecasts ahead of winter shipping
ProduceWire
Weekly Brief Issue 30 · September 15, 2026
The week in one line
Diesel surged 6.6% as apple prices firmed across major export origins and Peru tightened blueberry supply forecasts ahead of winter shipping.
Commodity briefings
Apples ▲ 2.6%
Washington crop drives 2.6% advance
Apples averaged $39.24 across 129 listings, up 2.6% week-over-week with a range of $27.00–$56.00. Washington, Pennsylvania, and New York lead supply into nine markets. Polish exporters face price instability as conflicting crop estimates circulate, while Turkish growers anticipate improved volumes and competitive pricing after a difficult prior season. Greek red apple exporters report pessimism following poor Gala season results. Prices should hold near $39 through mid-October unless Polish volumes flood Northern European channels. [1][2][3]
Avocados ▼ 0.6%
Flat at $33.76 as Florida, Mexico supply balance
Avocados averaged $33.76 across 34 listings, down 0.6% with a range of $22.00–$50.00. Florida, Mexico, and California anchor supply across six markets. Tanzanian exporters report demand so strong they cannot fulfill orders as the October season close approaches. Morocco enters the winter export window with recovery expectations, competing with Chile, Israel, Colombia, and Spain for European shelf space. European prices remain elevated despite tight supply from certain origins; trading remains slow in North America. Expect $32–$35 through late September as Mexican volumes stabilize. [4][5][6]
Blueberries ▲ up
Peru ships early but El Niño threatens volume
Blueberry data shows mixed signals as Peru ships large early volumes to Europe while warning signs emerge that El Niño will reduce total season supply below forecasts. Mexico closed the latest season with 72,900 tons of fresh exports, up 15% year-over-year, driven by lower U.S. state availability due to weather. Peruvian imports into North America are increasing seasonally, though shipments already trail estimates. Egyptian growers expect reduced acreage next season after a difficult 2025/2026 campaign, which should ease supply pressure. Monitor Peruvian shipping data closely through October for confirmation of El Niño impact. [7][8][9]
Asparagus ▲ 4.7%
Peru and Mexico lift prices 4.7% to $60.75
Asparagus averaged $60.75 across 12 listings, up 4.7% week-over-week with a range of $50.00–$75.00. Peru and Mexico dominate supply into Boston, Chicago, Fresno, Miami, New York, and Philadelphia. Prices rose on limited supplies as North American markets tighten heading into late September. Expect the $58–$63 band to hold through month-end unless Peruvian export volumes accelerate above current pace.
Anise ▲ 10.1%
California crop jumps 10.1% to $28.56
Anise averaged $28.56 across four listings, up 10.1% week-over-week with a range of $13.55–$28.00. California remains the dominant origin into Miami, New York, and Phoenix. The sharp weekly gain reflects seasonal tightening as California fields transition between plantings. No major supply disruptions reported, but the price move signals heightened buyer interest ahead of fall demand. Watch for $26–$30 stability if California harvest pace normalizes by late September.
The rest of the market
Most widely traded commodities this week · tap any for full detail
Commodity Avg Range vs. Prior
Bananas $21.45 $15.00–29.00 ▲ 1.6%
Basil $10.28 $5.00–18.00 ▲ 1.1%
Beets $21.09 $12.00–38.00 — 0.8%
Cabbage $19.18 $14.00–40.55 ▲ 8.8%
Carrots $27.03 $16.00–38.00 — 0.2%
Celery $29.67 $22.00–42.00 ▲ 1.2%
Corn, Sweet $20.70 $14.00–24.00 ▲ 4.2%
Cucumbers $24.51 $12.00–36.00 ▲ 20.3%
Dry Eschallot $33.06 $14.00–66.00 ▲ 9.3%
Eggplant $24.41 $14.00–42.00 ▲ 3.9%
Figs $35.41 $8.00–50.00 ▲ 8.3%
Garlic $56.95 $40.00–85.00 — 0.4%
Grapefruit $31.55 $25.00–42.00 ▼ 7.0%
Grapes $35.10 $24.95–42.00 ▼ 2.7%
Greens, Kale $19.73 $14.00–32.00 — 0.5%
Kiwifruit $38.32 $20.00–54.00 ▼ 1.9%
Lemons $30.11 $20.00–39.00 ▲ 1.2%
Limes $29.98 $12.00–44.00 ▲ 5.9%
Mangoes $12.32 $9.50–15.00 — 0.0%
Mushrooms $19.74 $12.00–29.00 ▲ 1.5%
Nectarines $36.45 $30.00–42.00 ▲ 9.2%
Onions, Dry $27.12 $16.00–40.00 ▲ 1.0%
Onions, Green $31.45 $21.00–40.00 ▲ 6.4%
Oranges $28.95 $20.00–47.00 — 0.7%
Papaya $26.48 $18.00–32.00 ▼ 3.3%
Parsley $26.33 $18.00–35.00 — 0.6%
Peaches $38.28 $28.85–48.00 ▲ 8.5%
Pears $42.72 $24.95–54.50 ▲ 2.9%
Peppers, Bell Type $17.58 $8.00–30.00 ▲ 4.5%
Peppers, Jalapeno $27.82 $16.00–41.00 ▲ 5.6%
Plums $43.37 $34.00–52.50 — 0.0%
Potatoes $30.20 $16.00–56.50 ▲ 1.5%
Radishes $22.47 $16.00–32.00 — 0.6%
Squash, Zucchini $20.65 $16.00–29.00 ▼ 5.0%
Sweet Potatoes $34.09 $22.00–68.00 ▼ 3.2%
Tangerines $35.38 $26.00–52.00 ▲ 5.2%
Tomatoes $24.93 $16.95–33.50 ▲ 7.0%
Tomatoes, Grape Type $20.46 $14.00–30.00 ▲ 11.1%
Tomatoes, Plum Type $27.28 $21.00–32.00 ▲ 15.9%
Watermelons $131.36 $6.00–240.00 ▼ 17.7%
Cross-commodity signals
  • Diesel prices jumped 6.6% to $5.967/gallon, adding immediate pressure to trucking costs as Florida faces severe flood warnings that threaten citrus and winter vegetable logistics. The combination of fuel and weather stress will compress margins for short-haul distribution from Miami and Tampa hubs.
  • Global fruit export momentum is shifting: Tanzania's avocado demand outpaces fulfillment capacity, Peru warns blueberry volumes trail estimates due to El Niño, and Mexico closed blueberries up 15% on weather-driven U.S. shortfalls. Origin reliability becomes the premium through Q4.
  • Apple price dynamics diverge by origin: U.S. Washington crop prices firmed 2.6%, Turkish exporters expect competitive pricing ahead, Polish markets face instability from conflicting crop data, and Greek red apple exporters report pessimism. European buyers will arbitrage between Turkish value and Washington quality through October.
What to watch next week
  • Peruvian blueberry shipment volumes in week ending September 22 will confirm or refute El Niño supply warnings; early-season shortfalls below 2025 comps would reset European pricing expectations through December.
  • Florida flood severity and duration will determine whether citrus and winter vegetable planting schedules slip; delays would tighten December–February supply and push prices up 8–12% in Atlanta, Miami, and Philadelphia wholesale channels.
  • Polish apple crop estimates need reconciliation by September 30; conflicting data is paralyzing exporter pricing strategies and delaying European buyer commitments for Q4 programs.
  • Morocco's winter avocado season discipline in October will signal whether European markets can absorb simultaneous volume from Chile, Israel, Colombia, and Spain without price collapse; early November pricing will reveal coordination success or failure.
Compliance reminder
FSMA 204 enforcement remains active. See PTI Label Studio for traceability label validation.
Sources
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