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Diesel at $6.28 and climbing freight costs ripple through harvest-intensive categories as apple pears spike 23%, asparagus jumps 10%, and ar
ProduceWire
Weekly Brief Issue 31 · September 22, 2026
The week in one line
Diesel at $6.28 and climbing freight costs ripple through harvest-intensive categories as apple pears spike 23%, asparagus jumps 10%, and artichokes gain 8% amid tightening supply corridors.
Commodity briefings
Apple Pears ▲ 23.1%
China, California supply drives 23% surge
Apple pears averaged $25.94, up 23.1% week-over-week with a range of $14-$48 across six markets. China, California, and Chile dominate supply in a period typically characterized by transition volatility. The 23% jump reflects both constrained import flows and elevated freight costs as diesel crossed $6.28 per gallon. Expect prices to hold elevated through early October unless Chilean volumes accelerate ahead of schedule.
Asparagus ▲ 10.0%
Peru, Mexico supply tightens 10% gain
Asparagus wholesale averaged $66.83, up 10.0% week-over-week with a range of $46.75-$74.50 across Chicago, Fresno, Miami, and New York. Peru and Mexico lead origins as Southern Hemisphere production winds down and Mexican volumes have not yet peaked. The double-digit move comes as diesel surged 5.3% to $6.285 per gallon, compounding harvest and transportation costs during the heaviest export window. Prices likely remain elevated above $65 through month-end absent a Mexican supply surge. [1]
Artichokes ▲ 8.0%
California-only supply pushes 8% higher
Artichokes averaged $58.66, up 8.0% week-over-week with a range of $45.55-$78 across Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, and Phoenix. California remains the sole meaningful origin as Castroville district growers navigate elevated diesel costs nearing $10 per gallon in parts of the state. The 8% gain reflects both tight supply and record harvest-related fuel expenses compressing grower margins. Expect prices to hold firm in the $56-$62 band through the end of September unless weather disrupts the central coast. [1]
Apples ▲ 0.4%
Washington, New York hold steady at $39.39
Apples averaged $39.39, up 0.4% week-over-week with a range of $27-$55 across ten markets led by Washington, New York, and Pennsylvania. Polish exporters report lower volumes as the new season starts later than last year following frost and hail damage, constraining European supply and supporting U.S. pricing power in global markets. Domestic volumes remain adequate but diesel-driven logistics costs are preventing any downward price pressure. Watch for Washington harvest pace updates in early October as peak picks accelerate. [2]
Avocados ▲ 3.2%
Mexico dominance lifts prices 3.2%
Avocados averaged $34.85, up 3.2% week-over-week with a range of $25-$48 across six markets. Mexico, California, and Florida supply 32 listings as Mexico's Ministry of Labor launches a September 17-30 pilot requiring labor certification for avocado exporters under the new Velagro platform, introducing modest administrative friction. Peru's ginger exporter Nativa Organics flags strong yields but moderate pricing as autumn demand builds, indirectly supporting related freight corridors. Expect prices to consolidate in the $34-$36 range through month-end unless certification delays ripple through the supply chain. [3][4]
The rest of the market
Most widely traded commodities this week · tap any for full detail
Commodity Avg Range vs. Prior
Bananas $21.75 $16.00–32.00 ▲ 1.4%
Basil $10.86 $5.00–18.00 ▲ 5.6%
Beets $21.80 $12.00–37.00 ▲ 3.4%
Cabbage $19.24 $14.00–37.00 — 0.3%
Carrots $26.05 $15.00–36.00 ▼ 3.6%
Celery $29.32 $22.00–42.00 ▼ 1.2%
Coconuts $40.50 $30.00–54.00 — 0.5%
Corn, Sweet $20.13 $14.00–24.00 ▼ 2.8%
Cucumbers $23.98 $12.00–32.50 ▼ 2.2%
Eggplant $24.23 $14.00–38.00 — 0.7%
Garlic $61.74 $44.00–90.00 ▲ 8.4%
Grapes $34.85 $24.95–40.00 — 0.7%
Kiwifruit $37.73 $18.00–48.00 ▼ 1.5%
Lemons $26.76 $12.00–34.00 ▼ 11.1%
Limes $35.70 $13.00–52.00 ▲ 19.1%
Mangoes $12.77 $10.00–16.00 ▲ 3.7%
Mushrooms $19.82 $12.00–29.00 — 0.4%
Nectarines $36.69 $32.00–44.00 — 0.7%
Onions, Dry $26.70 $16.00–40.00 ▼ 1.5%
Onions, Green $32.96 $22.00–44.75 ▲ 4.8%
Oranges $30.07 $19.00–45.00 ▲ 3.9%
Papaya $27.20 $20.00–34.00 ▲ 2.7%
Parsley $27.12 $14.95–35.00 ▲ 3.0%
Peaches $39.06 $32.00–52.00 ▲ 2.0%
Pears $44.32 $26.95–58.00 ▲ 3.7%
Peppers, Bell Type $17.15 $10.00–26.00 ▼ 2.4%
Pineapples $20.36 $11.00–45.00 — 0.2%
Plums $43.18 $34.00–57.00 — 0.4%
Pomegranates $51.75 $22.00–65.00 ▼ 8.5%
Potatoes $30.80 $17.00–58.00 ▲ 2.0%
Pumpkins $141.22 $22.00–280.00 ▲ 9.3%
Radishes $22.79 $16.00–34.00 ▲ 1.4%
Squash, Yellow Straightneck $28.00 $22.00–36.00 ▲ 6.1%
Squash, Zucchini $20.16 $14.35–29.00 ▼ 2.4%
Sweet Potatoes $34.33 $22.00–66.00 — 0.7%
Tangerines $35.42 $30.00–46.50 — 0.1%
Tomatoes $24.84 $16.00–32.00 — 0.4%
Tomatoes, Grape Type $22.28 $16.00–38.00 ▲ 8.9%
Tomatoes, Plum Type $26.47 $23.00–30.00 ▼ 3.0%
Watermelons $165.44 $25.00–260.00 ▲ 25.9%
Cross-commodity signals
  • Diesel hit $6.285 per gallon, up 5.3% week-over-week, with California regions approaching $10—harvest-intensive categories including asparagus, artichokes, and apple pears all posted gains as growers passed through fuel surcharges. See articles 14334.
  • Florida flood warnings remain active but have not yet impacted pricing for Florida-origin alfalfa sprouts, aloe leaves, or avocados—monitor for delayed effects on packhouse throughput and quality in the next 7-10 days.
  • Qatar's new 15% seasonal tariffs on imported vegetables (article 14594) and Iraq's tomato import ban through October 20 (article 14320) signal growing protectionist posture in Gulf and Middle East markets, potentially redirecting export flows back to U.S. and European buyers.
What to watch next week
  • Diesel trajectory through peak October harvest—any move above $6.50 per gallon will force repricing across stone fruit, leafy greens, and root vegetables.
  • Polish apple volume revisions as frost damage assessments finalize—lower European exports could tighten U.S. pricing into November (article 14577).
  • Mexico's Velagro labor certification rollout post-pilot—broader implementation could introduce 3-5 day delays for avocado and vegetable shipments starting October 1 (article 14583).
  • Florida flood impacts on late-September packhouse operations—aloe leaves already down 6%, further weather-related quality issues could cascade into October shipments.
Compliance reminder
FSMA 204 enforcement remains active. See PTI Label Studio for traceability label validation.
Sources
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