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Diesel surges 3.9% to $6.53/gal while severe flooding in Arizona and Florida compounds supply pressure across asparagus, citrus, and fall tr
ProduceWire
Weekly Brief Issue 32 · September 29, 2026
The week in one line
Diesel surges 3.9% to $6.53/gal while severe flooding in Arizona and Florida compounds supply pressure across asparagus, citrus, and fall transition commodities.
Commodity briefings
Asparagus ▼ 6.9%
Peru imports tighten, prices drop 6.9%
Asparagus wholesale averaged $62.20, down 6.9% week-over-week with a range of $47-$70. Peru, Mexico, and Canada dominate supply across five markets. Peruvian imports through South Florida are expected to remain stable with light supplies continuing. The 6.9% decline suggests easing pressure from earlier peaks, but Peru's second ginger season reporting lower export volumes signals broader logistical constraints that could ripple into asparagus flows. Expect prices to stabilize in the $58-$64 range unless Peruvian supply tightens further. [1][2]
Apples ▼ 0.7%
Washington harvest underway, down 0.7%
Apples averaged $39.12 across 207 listings in 10 markets, down 0.7% week-over-week with a range of $28-$55.50. Washington, New York, and Pennsylvania lead domestic supply as the fall harvest ramps. Polish crop set to fall while AJC demand remains weak, putting downward pressure on processing markets. New Zealand counter-seasonal apples continue to hold strong positions in China due to varietal advantages. U.S. crop forecast at 10.4 billion pounds, down from prior year, should support pricing into October but watch for processing-grade inventory buildup as concentrate demand lags. [3][4][5][6][7]
Avocados ▼ 1.8%
Mexico regular crop arrives, down 1.8%
Avocados averaged $34.21 across 30 listings in six markets, down 1.8% week-over-week with a range of $24.25-$46. Florida, Mexico, and Dominican Republic supply the domestic market. Mexico's 2026/27 season is transitioning from early "loca" fruit to the regular crop, which began in significant volumes mid-September. California's 330 million pound season performed strongly and is now winding down, clearing shelf space for Mexican volume. Morocco's Hass crop forecast at 100,000 tonnes, recovering but limited by summer heatwaves. Expect continued downward pressure through early October as Mexican regular-crop volumes build. [8][9][10]
Citrus — flat
Import overlap complicates California transition
No week-over-week pricing data available for citrus this week. The transition from Southern Hemisphere imports to California production is more complicated than usual, with significant import volumes still expected as the domestic season approaches. Egyptian citrus exports rose 16% in 2025/26 to 2.44 million tonnes, intensifying the overlap pressure. India's domestic oranges are beginning to arrive while South African fruit continues to reach the market. California growers face a compressed transition window with higher-than-normal import inventory competing for shelf space. Monitor California navel arrival timing and Southern Hemisphere inventory drawdown rates through mid-October. [11][12][13]
Table Grapes — flat
California season runs three weeks early
No week-over-week pricing data available for table grapes this week. California supply has tracked close to preseason estimates, but the entire season has run approximately three weeks early, threatening to end before Thanksgiving. Prices are strengthening as volumes tighten. Greek exports performed poorly this season, with major exporters handling volumes equivalent to domestic-only traders. Australian 2025/26 crop was smaller and weather-affected, though stronger export values helped offset volume declines. U.S. crop forecast to increase in 2026, but the early California finish means a supply gap before Chilean and Peruvian arrivals. Expect sustained pricing strength through October if the early finish holds. [14][15][16][6]
The rest of the market
Most widely traded commodities this week · tap any for full detail
Commodity Avg Range vs. Prior
Bananas $21.68 $16.00–31.00 — 0.3%
Basil $10.43 $5.00–18.00 ▼ 4.0%
Beets $20.44 $11.00–36.00 ▼ 6.2%
Cabbage $19.60 $15.50–41.00 ▲ 1.9%
Carrots $26.25 $15.00–36.00 — 0.8%
Celery $31.21 $22.00–42.00 ▲ 6.4%
Corn, Sweet $19.68 $16.00–22.00 ▼ 2.2%
Cucumbers $25.45 $12.00–38.00 ▲ 6.1%
Dragon Fruit (Pitaya) $24.38 $18.00–29.00 — 0.5%
Eggplant $23.47 $14.00–35.00 ▼ 3.1%
Figs $36.56 $8.00–48.00 ▲ 6.6%
Garlic $61.50 $44.00–88.00 — 0.4%
Grapes $35.28 $27.50–42.00 ▲ 1.2%
Kiwifruit $37.18 $18.00–48.00 ▼ 1.5%
Lemons $28.10 $20.00–38.00 ▲ 5.0%
Limes $39.59 $15.00–52.00 ▲ 10.9%
Mangoes $14.53 $12.00–17.00 ▲ 13.8%
Mushrooms $19.82 $12.00–29.00 — 0.0%
Nectarines $36.53 $32.00–42.00 — 0.4%
Onions, Dry $26.04 $16.00–38.00 ▼ 2.5%
Onions, Green $41.24 $22.00–55.00 ▲ 25.1%
Oranges $31.74 $25.00–45.00 ▲ 5.6%
Papaya $28.24 $20.00–37.00 ▲ 3.8%
Parsley $26.58 $15.45–34.00 ▼ 2.0%
Peaches $40.48 $35.00–48.00 ▲ 3.6%
Pears $43.98 $28.95–56.00 — 0.8%
Peppers, Bell Type $18.27 $10.00–25.00 ▲ 6.5%
Pineapples $18.98 $10.00–45.00 ▼ 6.8%
Plums $47.31 $37.00–57.00 ▲ 9.6%
Pomegranates $48.94 $20.00–65.00 ▼ 5.4%
Potatoes $30.97 $17.00–58.00 — 0.6%
Pumpkins $144.76 $22.00–280.00 ▲ 2.5%
Radishes $23.04 $14.00–34.00 ▲ 1.1%
Squash, Yellow Straightneck $27.09 $17.00–37.00 ▼ 3.3%
Squash, Zucchini $20.07 $14.00–31.00 — 0.4%
Sweet Potatoes $32.61 $20.00–68.00 ▼ 5.0%
Tangerines $35.74 $29.00–47.00 — 0.9%
Tomatoes $23.04 $12.00–30.00 ▼ 7.2%
Tomatoes, Grape Type $24.14 $18.50–35.00 ▲ 8.3%
Watermelons $166.19 $30.00–250.00 — 0.5%
Cross-commodity signals
  • Diesel surged 3.9% to $6.53/gal while severe flash flood warnings hit Arizona and Florida—two states with active produce flows. Mexico reporting lower Peruvian ginger exports (article 14688) and stable-but-light asparagus supplies (article 14919) suggest broader South American logistics constraints that could affect avocado and citrus flows.
  • Southern Hemisphere to Northern Hemisphere transitions are compressing across apples, citrus, and grapes. California citrus faces heavier-than-normal import overlap (article 14925), California table grapes are running three weeks early (article 14909), and California avocados are winding down (article 14815)—all creating October supply uncertainty.
  • Asian export demand signals are mixed: New Zealand apples holding strong in China due to counter-seasonal timing (article 15024), Peruvian blueberries up 28% with Asian diversification (article 15177), but Vietnamese fruit facing growing price pressure (article 14816). Asian buyers are shifting procurement strategies mid-season.
What to watch next week
  • California citrus navel arrival timing against Southern Hemisphere inventory drawdown—any delay extends import competition and pressures domestic pricing into November.
  • Mexico avocado regular-crop volume ramp through early October; if flows exceed 2025 levels, expect sub-$32 wholesale averages by mid-month.
  • Arizona and Florida flood impacts on distribution throughput—watch for disruptions in Miami and Phoenix market pricing volatility over the next 7-10 days.
  • Diesel's $6.53/gal level approaching the $6.75 threshold where grower-shippers historically pause spot market participation and shift to contract-only fulfillment.
  • Polish apple controlled-atmosphere storage fill rates as AJC demand remains weak; if processing inventory builds, expect spillover pressure into fresh-market pricing by November.
Compliance reminder
FSMA 204 enforcement remains active. See PTI Label Studio for traceability label validation.
Sources
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