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Apple pear prices surge 58% on supply tightness while asparagus and artichokes slide double digits as seasonal transitions accelerate.
ProduceWire
Weekly Brief Issue 35 · October 20, 2026
The week in one line
Apple pear prices surge 58% on supply tightness while asparagus and artichokes slide double digits as seasonal transitions accelerate.
Commodity briefings
Apple Pears ▲ 58.2%
SHINKO prices jump 58% week-over-week
Apple pear wholesale averaged $28.20 for SHINKO cartons 1 layer, up 58.2% from $17.83 prior week with a range of $18.00–$36.00. China, California, and Chile supply six markets including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Philadelphia. The sharp move reflects tightening supplies as the transition between hemispheres creates availability gaps. Expect elevated pricing to persist through early November unless Chilean volumes accelerate.
Artichokes ▼ 20.9%
Globe variety drops 21% on volume
Globe artichoke wholesale averaged $43.44, down 20.9% from $54.92 prior week with a range of $28.00–$55.00. California South and Central Districts supply seven markets. The sharp decline signals peak harvest volume hitting terminals as fall production ramps. Expect prices to stabilize in the $40–$45 range as the season matures, with downside risk if California weather remains favorable.
Asparagus ▼ 10.1%
Peru supply drives 10% price decline
Asparagus wholesale averaged $51.66 for 11 lb cartons bunched, down 10.1% from $57.49 prior week with a range of $41.00–$65.00. Peru and Mexico lead supply across seven markets including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Philadelphia. Peruvian imports through South Florida ports are increasing volume as the season builds. Prices should hold in the $48–$54 range through month-end unless Mexican production accelerates faster than expected.
Avocados ▼ 6.9%
HASS drops 7% on Mexican flow
HASS avocado wholesale averaged $32.94 for cartons 2 layer, down 6.9% from $35.37 prior week with a range of $22.00–$48.00. Mexico crossings through Texas dominate supply to eight markets. The decline reflects steady Mexican production flow meeting stable demand, with Florida supplementing volume. Expect prices to drift toward $30–$32 through early November as Mexican harvest pace remains consistent.
Apples ▲ 2.1%
Red Delicious gains 2% on steady demand
Red Delicious wholesale averaged $40.59 for cartons tray pack, up 2.1% from $39.76 prior week with a range of $26.00–$56.00. Washington's Yakima Valley and Wenatchee District lead supply across 11 markets with New York supplementing. Brazilian exports to Europe jumped 104% year-over-year as harvest volumes recover and EU-Mercosur tariff removal takes effect. U.S. fresh apple exports hit a record $1.16 billion in 2025/26, supporting pricing power. Expect Red Delicious to hold in the $39–$42 range as storage season begins. [1][2]
The rest of the market
Most widely traded commodities this week · tap any for full detail
Commodity Avg Range vs. Prior
Bananas $21.17 $18.00–24.00 — 0.3%
Beets $11.94 $6.00–20.00 — 1.0%
Broccoli $23.86 $16.00–42.00 ▼ 31.3%
Cabbage $18.19 $16.00–21.00 ▲ 2.3%
Carrots $20.79 $11.00–32.00 ▼ 4.0%
Cauliflower $30.96 $20.00–46.00 ▼ 23.0%
Celery $30.43 $22.00–47.00 ▲ 3.3%
Cucumbers $25.36 $12.00–40.00 ▲ 5.0%
Dragon Fruit (Pitaya) $23.59 $15.00–32.00 ▲ 7.6%
Eggplant $19.18 $10.00–24.00 ▼ 2.3%
Garlic $71.66 $42.00–97.00 — 0.6%
Grapefruit $28.67 $22.00–36.00 ▼ 9.2%
Grapes $38.96 $25.00–54.50 ▲ 13.5%
Kiwifruit $44.61 $40.00–55.00 ▼ 1.7%
Lemons $34.69 $20.00–55.50 ▲ 1.2%
Lettuce, Iceberg $65.26 $37.00–87.00 ▲ 11.0%
Lettuce, Romaine $47.92 $20.00–82.00 ▲ 58.6%
Limes $35.35 $24.00–45.00 ▼ 9.9%
Mangoes $14.95 $7.50–19.00 ▼ 5.7%
Mushrooms $23.23 $15.00–30.00 — 0.0%
Onions, Dry $26.06 $16.00–35.00 ▲ 2.2%
Oranges $34.18 $17.00–49.50 ▼ 4.8%
Papaya $33.45 $26.00–42.00 ▲ 2.3%
Parsley $28.29 $21.00–42.00 — 0.7%
Pears $45.38 $35.00–58.00 — 0.0%
Peppers, Bell Type $28.39 $20.00–40.00 ▲ 26.4%
Peppers, Habanero $25.56 $16.00–44.00 ▼ 8.9%
Pineapples $15.48 $12.00–21.00 ▲ 2.9%
Plantains $34.63 $26.00–42.50 — 0.1%
Plums $42.63 $32.00–58.00 ▼ 13.9%
Potatoes $30.46 $18.00–42.00 ▲ 2.2%
Pumpkins $166.43 $100.00–200.00 ▼ 11.9%
Radishes $25.57 $23.00–30.00 ▼ 1.1%
Spinach $27.00 $20.00–35.00 ▼ 10.6%
Strawberries $20.64 $7.00–32.00 ▲ 38.2%
Sweet Potatoes $26.11 $16.00–57.00 ▼ 1.1%
Tangerines $29.61 $24.00–35.00 ▼ 3.8%
Tomatoes $49.19 $40.00–60.00 ▲ 65.7%
Tomatoes, Plum Type $33.82 $26.00–48.50 ▲ 17.4%
Watermelons $399.95 $315.00–450.00 ▲ 4633.1%
Cross-commodity signals
  • Diesel averaged $6.179/gallon, down $0.020 (-0.3%) week-over-week, providing marginal relief on freight costs. Severe flood warnings in Georgia and Florida threaten southeastern production and distribution corridors.
  • Import-driven commodities show divergent pricing: Peruvian asparagus down 10.1% on volume while Mexican avocados slip 6.9%, but apple pear imports surge 58.2% on supply gaps between hemispheres.
  • Rising input costs pressuring global trade: diesel prices for refrigerated shipping up 70% since February, fertilizer availability tightening due to Iran conflict impacts on banana, grape, and citrus exporters. See articles 17654, 17806.
  • India's blueberry market growing 40–50% year-over-year despite price sensitivity, with buyers prioritizing flavor over crunch. See article 17805. Peru's fresh blueberry export forecast cut to 344,000 tons from 366,000 tons due to climate conditions, down 6.1% from prior estimate. See article 17969.
What to watch next week
  • Peruvian blueberry exports now forecasted at 344,000 tons versus 366,000 tons in early October — 6.1% downward revision signals tighter North American supply through December.
  • South African grape season starts early November; Maersk extending WAF7 service to handle increased volumes as citrus shipments conclude. See article 17656.
  • Indian pomegranate exporters unable to source quality fruit due to drought and water stress, disrupting shipments from key growing areas. See article 17951.
  • La Unió calling for 16% EU tariffs on third-country citrus to offset rising cultivation costs — potential regulatory shift ahead of Mediterranean harvest. See article 18276.
  • Georgia and Florida severe flood warnings could disrupt southeastern production and terminal operations through week ending October 27.
Compliance reminder
FSMA 204 enforcement remains active. See PTI Label Studio for traceability label validation.
Sources
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