Freshspective
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 | Issue 166
Keep up with the most recent market trends in our Freshspective updates. Discover what's influencing conventional produce, organic options, temperature-controlled capacity, and floral so you can plan ahead and avoid disruption.
Conventional Vegetables
🌱 Weekly Asparagus Update – Easter Pressure & Market Volatility! 🚨
As mentioned in our previous updates, Easter is just around the corner! Keep in mind:
1️⃣ Fields are starting to go out of production, as projected, putting heavy pressure on supply and driving prices up sharply.
📅 Season Projections
🇲🇽 Mexico:
Many growers are entering the final harvest rounds. Rising temperatures are affecting both yield and quality, and we’re starting to see seeding appear across the industry. We anticipate crossings will continue next week, but volumes will keep declining.
🇵🇪 Peru:
Despite an early-start strategy, fields are responding slower than expected, with reduced volume and quickly rising prices. We’re in daily communication with growers and will continue to keep you informed.
🇺🇸 Michigan & 🇨🇦 Canada:
Still on track to start around the second week of May, with good volume expected from our Michigan grower and additional availability from Canada. Let’s start planning programs and locked pricing now!
Bell Peppers
Oscar.Rodriguez@robinsonfresh.comNewer fields are slowly starting to produce, but we are still under a deficit. Satisfactory-quality pepper is limited, and any special pack will take days to fulfill. We hope that volume will get better in Florida, but as far as Mexico goes, we are rapidly approaching the tail end of the season. We do expect volatility in markets as we open April. Volume is still limited; so short term, please refrain from any promotions.
Broccoli
Kelly.Wilson@robinsonfresh.comBroccoli will be starting in Georgia in the next 10 to 14 days. There is currently some product available from Mexico. Expect to see better supplies in the upcoming weeks.
Cabbage
Kelly.Wilson@robinsonfresh.com
Plenty of cabbage available in the Southeast. Texas has had some weather in the last few weeks but does have supplies available. There will be deals available as we move into the Easter pull.
Celery supplies are steady with good volume available in Oxnard and Yuma. Most growers have started harvesting in the northern region and the desert is expected to wrap up over the next week or so. The weather forecast calls for average temperatures with no rain expected in the growing regions. Please reach out to your Robinson Fresh representative for updates and information regarding availability and promotions.
Cucumbers
Oscar.Rodriguez@robinsonfresh.comHigh markets continue to be the norm. Volume in both growing regions remains limited, but we do expect Florida to get into better volume in the upcoming weeks. For the time being, we expect demand to exceed supply.
Greens
Jaimie.Arias@robinsonfresh.comQuality and availability are both good in the Southeast. Weather over the next 10 days looks to continue to support this trend. Easter is just around the corner, so if you have not planned for your holiday promotion, see your Robinson Fresh contact today!
Leaf Lettuce
Josh.Armstrong@robinsonfresh.comIceberg lettuce, romaine, red and green leaf supplies are steady as growers prepare to move north in early April. Quality reports are showing great overall quality and good weights. The weather forecast calls for warmer temperatures in the desert this week with average temperatures expected in the northern region. The primary shipping points are Yuma and the Imperial Valley with some availability in Oxnard. Santa Maria and Salinas are set to start soon. Please reach out to your Robinson Fresh representative for more details.
Potatoes
Barry.Rosen@robinsonfresh.comWe are starting to wind down in South Florida in the next 10 days to two weeks with reds and yellows. North Florida will start as South Florida winds down. Supplies will improve as we head north. No changes to report on russets.
Squash
Oscar.Rodriguez@robinsonfresh.comThe outlook from Florida and Nogales is looking much better than in the previous weeks. Florida is slowly getting into their new crop, with Nogales starting to see better availability. We should see better supplies in the upcoming weeks.
Sweet Corn
Mike.Beyer@robinsonfresh.comSubscribe to Freshspective and never miss an update!
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Conventional Fruits
Apples
Charlie.Incaudo@robinsonfresh.com
As we enter April, we are shipping out of storage this time of year and we still have good supplies of most varieties available out of Washington. Most varieties are still very promotable, and growers are looking to promote apples. There are a few items that have tight supply with Honeycrisp being very limited. All Honeycrisp packs, sizes, and grades are tight and continue to increase in price. We expect this trend to continue until the new crop arrives in mid-August. Other items that are firming up are the Gala premium 88 size and larger as well as the premium Fuji 72 size and larger. In the next couple of weeks, we will start to see a few imports of Gala and Honeycrisp begin to arrive in small quantities to the East Coast. Although this is a welcome new supply, we don’t expect to see a drop in the market pricing in the near future. The imports should provide a stabilizing effect and keep the market from any significant price increases. Overall, we still have a large crop of apples to sell and expect to see attractive pricing on most varieties into the summer this year.
Avocados
Robert.Chirchick@robinsonfresh.com
Avocado market is mostly steady as tariffs loom. Mexico is more than 80% of the supply with good quality. 48s are available while 32s and 70s are tight. California fruit also available. Peru will begin late April and Colombia’s new crop will begin in a couple/few weeks.
Bush Berries
Anthony.Labetti@robinsonfresh.com
Blueberries:
Florida: Increasing daily, with the imports all but gone, and Mexico having a lighter than anticipated season. This will probably cause a 2–3-week gap or high market.
Georgia: Overall, the crop is looking like it is delayed until May or so; but with the delays out of Florida, this will allow for a smoother transition. The crop looks the same size as last year, which will allow for great promotions in May.
Mexico: Currently, volume is steady and filling in for the delays of the domestic season. Expect a lighter season, as thrips remain a challenge.
Mexico: Steady volume. There are a lot of promotions driving high demand, with a little lighter volume in some regions. The field markets have been active the last few weeks, indicating high demand. While some volume is lower, we are seeing the short market mostly driven by promotions.
Santa Maria: Projecting a late-May start.
Watsonville: Projecting a late-June start.
Georgia: Looking at an early-June start. Overall, everything is looking like a strong season.
Santa Maria: Projecting a late-May start
Watsonville: Projecting a late-June start.
Cantaloupe
Katie.Karpenko@robinsonfresh.com
Steady arrivals into East Coast ports with mostly larger sizing and market about steady. Stronger demand on the 12 counts. Similar situation into West Coast ports with larger sizing and fewer 12s available.
Citrus
Matt.Horvath@robinsonfresh.com
Oranges: California continues to have good availability and quality on navel oranges. All sizes are available, but most growers still peaking on 72 counts and smaller. Fruit is reported to have great quality and brix ranging from 12-15. Some growers are getting into gibbed fruit and late-lane navels.
California cara cara crop is strong with a sizing profile is similar to navels. Cara caras should be available through April and into early May. Blood oranges are available, dependent by grower, as some will have fruit through April. Minneola crop is peaking on 100/125 counts. Large fruit has been more limited this season, as it’s been across the board on California citrus commodities. Minneolas should finish up in the next 4 weeks.
Florida has good volume on Valencias, peaking on 80/100/125 counts. Fruit looks clean with brix averaging 11. Product should be available through June.
Mandarins: Moroccan Nadorcotts and Murcotts are available on the East Coast. Quality is reported to be good with overall volume expected to slow down through April as May approaches.
California has strong supply on mandarins. Tangos are the predominate variety, with Murcotts available as well. Overall volume for the season is up from last year with sizing peaking on 28 count.
Grapes
Many of the larger importers still have high inventories, but supply and demand for quality fruit appear to have reached a balance. Over the last two weeks, exports from South America have declined, and we can expect the spot market to gradually increase over the next four weeks. However, it’s important to note that only high-quality fruit will command these higher prices, as there will still be an excess of lower-quality, distressed fruit in the market. Reports from Sonora, Mexico, suggest that the harvest for both red and green seedless varieties will begin around May 15th, but production will be minimal at first.
Honeydew
Katie.Karpenko@robinsonfresh.com
Southern Mexico honeydews are shipping into Nogales with the market as steady. Sizing is mostly 5 count with lesser 6 count and few 8 count. New crop out of Northern Mexico will start toward mid to end of April into Nogales. Import honeydews are seeing lighter demand out East and market is steady. West Coast imports are slightly lower this week with mostly 5-count sizing and few 6 count.
Limes
Juan.Torres2@robinsonfresh.com
Region: Veracruz, Mexico
Market Intel: The demand for limes has been steady.
Weather Update: The weather forecast for next week shows sunny days and some cloudy ones, with temperatures ranging from 69 to 100 degrees. Humidity will be at 73% and there is a 0% chance of rain. It will be an excellent week for the normal development of activities.
Sizing Profile: Peak sizes are 175/200/230. Size distribution: 110-4%, 150-19%, 175-24%, 200-23%, 230-22%, and 250-8%.
Quality: Quality issues being reported: oil spots, blanching, scarring, and skin breakdown.
Looking Ahead: We’ve reached April with a conservative but steady volume in the region. The trees are holding fruit of regular size, healthy and strong. While the overall volume is expected to be moderate, we believe it will be enough to meet the needs of all our programs.
May is expected to bring very good conditions, with the fruit reaching its optimal ripeness. During the field visit, we confirmed that the fruit remains fresh, clean, green, and well cared for, allowing us to meet all our program needs and maintain smooth operations throughout this period.
Mangos
Ramiro.Quintanilla@robinsonfresh.com
We are now on week 14 and the market continues to stay firm, with large fruit limited but small fruit available in small quantities. We expect to see more small fruit available this week and next from Michoacan, mostly 10s with some 12s and 9s. Oaxaca is peaking on 8/9s, but most of the supply is going to fill contracts and commitments. Available fruit from this region is 6 and 12 counts. Several growers are restricting harvest times this week until they hear clearer news about the possible tariffs that might be implemented. We will wait and see what the outcome is and see if it will affect packing this week for next week.
Papaya
Gustavo.Lora@robinsonfresh.com
Supply Meeting Demand for Papaya in U.S. Market
Supply conditions are stable out of Mexico with some surplus fruit. Weather is currently good for papaya production and is expected to continue through April. Contracts are being serviced but with fruit available to offer. Prices are stable in the U.S. market for the remainder of March. This week, all eyes are on the potential tariffs that could affect Mexican imports. This will likely determine volume that will cross going forward.
Inventories are showing some availability to offer.
Majority of sizes are between 6–12s with SOME surplus fruit.
Quality is reported as good with fruit showing less speckling and mostly green.
Color 25%- 50% / 12-14 brix at point of shipping. The ideal temperature for Imperial papaya is 48 degrees to avoid quality issues upon receiving.
Crop outlook: Forecast has conditions for good supply for the next two weeks.
Market Intel: Enough supply to service demand.
Pears
Charlie.Incaudo@robinsonfresh.com
The Northwest pear crop this season is very small as the crop was down between 30% and 50%, depending on the variety. We are currently shipping Anjou and red pears out of Washington. We expect the market to remain tight and the pricing to remain on the higher side for the foreseeable future. The import season has now begun, and we now have imported Bartletts, Bosc, and Anjou available on the East Coast. We have good supplies of Bartlett pears arriving and, although pricing is higher than normal, the quality is reported to be good, and sales are brisk. The imported Anjou and Bosc are just beginning to arrive in small quantities and the pricing is fairly high on these two items; we expect it to remain this way through the month of April. Overall, we have pears to sell but pricing will remain higher than normal until new crop starts out of the Northwest in the fall.
Pineapple
Gustavo.Lora@robinsonfresh.com
Availability: Supply Meeting Demand for U.S. Market
Growing region: MEXICO - Good volume of fruit crossing out of Mexico again this week. Production is stable with a good distribution of sizes, peaking on 6s and 7s. Weather at the pineapple growing regions remains fair with good yields and good quality. Transportation out of Mexico is stable with good availability of trucks to service pineapple shippers. This week, all eyes are on the potential tariffs that could affect Mexican imports. This will likely determine volume that will cross going forward. COSTA RICA - Supply is stable but with little to NO surplus as most growers ramp up packing for the Easter pull. Availability is low on all counts with 6s and 7s much tighter than last week. Good quality of fruit is being exported to U.S. and Europe. Market is stable but expected to increase with less availability to service demand. NO significant surplus is expected to happen, and prices will likely increase.
• Mexican fruit quality is GOOD with better condition overall. COSTA RICA - Volume is stable AT PACKING with the expectation of tight supply in the month of April. NO surplus fruit is available to pack on all counts currently. The U.S. market is stable on all counts.
• Forecast: Little to NO surplus fruit is being offered at U.S. shipping points by large grower/shippers at this time. Market is stable versus last week.
Strawberries
Vickie.Casacca@robinsonfresh.com
California growing areas did receive some light drizzle but there was not enough rain to keep them from picking. Soft demand is keeping the markets depressed. Most shippers are pulling out of the Central Mexico and Florida regions to transition to the West. There is ample supply out of Baja and California, with plants in Santa Maria showing a good fruit set. There should be plenty of volume available for the Easter holiday and promotable stem strawberries.
Weather outlook:
Santa Maria, California, for the week of March 31st is forecast on Wednesday and Thursday to be windy but mostly sunny, Friday partly sunny and breezy in the afternoon, Saturday sunny, and Sunday sunny to partly cloudy. Highs in the 60s, increasing to the 70s on Sunday and lows in the 40s. The week of April 7th is forecast on Monday for clouds then sun, Tuesday and Wednesday sunny skies, Thursday sun through high clouds, Friday partly sunny with occasional showers in the afternoon, Saturday morning rain, and then Sunday mostly sunny. Highs in the 60s to low 70s and lows in the 40s.
Oxnard for the week of March 31st is forecast on Wednesday to be windy with intervals of clouds and sun, Thursday partly sunny with passing showers, and Friday through the weekend sunny to partly cloudy. Highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s. The week of April 7th is forecast on Monday for clouds then sunshine, Tuesday and Wednesday sunny skies, Thursday and Friday partly sunny, and Saturday and Sunday sunny skies. Highs in the upper 60s to low 70s and lows in the upper 40s to low 50s.
Watermelon
Sam.Schneider@robinsonfresh.com
Watermelon supplies will be light for the next two weeks. Demand has also been light but is expected to improve slightly. Florida is underway with decent supplies expected next week. Texas and Nogales have steady supplies from Southern Mexico this week, but a gap is expected next week before Northern Mexico begins the following week. Northern Mexico will start by April 15th. We will have very good supplies on mini watermelons in May shipping out of Nogales. New crop will also start in four to five weeks. The end of April will be a great time to promote melons.
Organic Fruits & Vegetables
Organic Apples
Charlie.Incaudo@robinsonfresh.comWe had a good crop overall on organic apples this season out of Washington. Movement has been very strong in this category across the country, and this is starting to put some upward pricing pressure on most of the varieties. We expect to see adequate supplies on most of the key items into spring this year; although, we are expecting prices to be higher than last year. The one variety that is extremely tight and very pricey is the organic Honeycrisp. This variety will remain extremely scarce and expensive until the new crop arrives in mid-August. Organic Granny Smith will be the next tightest variety. We are starting to see some price changes this week and this will continue to trend up over the next several months. Overall, we will have supplies on most varieties into the summer this year.
Organic Citrus
Chris.Lemmon@robinsonfresh.comThe below update from a week ago still remains the case as far as peak sizes and quality. But, with the rain that we have been experiencing over the last week and anticipated this week, supply will be kept very tight as growers are unable to get into the fields to harvest.
Navels: The navel market is changing this week. We have continued to have days of rain causing growers to not be able to harvest. We started off this week with rain and we are seeing a few more days of rain this week. Navels are going to start to get tight.
Lemons: Plenty of organic lemons as well this week and for the next month or two. There is a good mix of sizes coming in from the fields right now but the peak sizing seems to be 115 and 140 counts. The pack-out right now is very good--more than 90% fancy and 10% choice. We are packing a few loads each week.
Grapefruit: We have plenty of supply on our grapefruit. We are packing an orchard run on the grapefruit with the fruit being 90% fancy.
Organic Dry Vegetables
Chris.Lemmon@chrobinson.comAll colors of bell peppers are available right now out of Nogales. Sizing and volume vary each day on arrivals. For the most part, markets are steady and not very strong. There are plenty of mini sweet peppers available and the market on them is cheap. It’s a good time to promote if you are looking for a great advertisement item. Roma tomatoes are going strong as well and are another item that could be a good promotion.
Organic Melons
Sam.Schneider@robinsonfresh.comOrganic mini melons are scheduled to begin out of Northern Mexico in about 3 weeks.
Organic Onions
Chris.Lemmon@robinsonfresh.comThere is a two-tier price structure right now on onions. There are still good supplies on yellow and sweet onions coming out of Washington and the pricing is still moderate. The red onion market out of Washington has jumped as the supply is very limited on open business as most are saving their volume for contracts.
There are new-crop onions coming out of Texas now and all three are available--yellows, reds, and sweets. The pricing is strong as they are just getting started and waiting for the Northwest to clean up this month.
We finished our onions out of Hollister last week but will be back in with red and yellow new-crop onions.
Organic Pears
Charlie.Incaudo@robinsonfresh.comThe organic pear crop was severely damaged this season and down around 50%. We are still shipping organic Anjou in very small quantities. Imported organic Bartletts have started to arrive now into the U.S. but expect to see pricing much higher than last season. Overall, organic pears will continue to be tight and expensive for the remainder of the year until the new crop is harvested in September.
Organic Potatoes
Chris.Lemmon@robinsonfresh.comColorado potatoes are still available but finding a quality red potato is not possible. Quality on russets is very nice though. The market on russets continues to be strong and cartons are tight with high prices at this point. The yellow supply dried up over the last week in Colorado. So, until new crop starts in California, the yellow market is going to become active. Washington potatoes are starting to dry up. Most of the russet supply is either gone or committed, so finding russets on the open market is tough. There are still good supplies on both red and yellow potatoes and the market is steady on them.
Organic Squash
Chris.Lemmon@robinsonfresh.comHard squash out of Nogales is available but not as plentiful as it has been the last few weeks. Markets are starting to rise a little on all varieties. Soft squash is all over the place, depending on the day you want to buy. Currently, supply on Italian and yellow squash is tight as is the pricing. Last week, cucumbers were cheap and this week the market has jumped up again. There is supply but pre-books are recommended for volume orders.
Organic Sweet Potatoes
Chris.Lemmon@robinsonfresh.comAs smooth as the market and supply have been on sweet potatoes, we are starting to see some changes. It is the time of the year when storage sweet potatoes start to dry up and pricing jumps. The first variety for this to happen is with the Japanese variety. We have seen that market jump over the last week. Overall, the rest of the varieties are in good supply for now and pricing remains steady.
Transportation
REFRIGERATED TRUCKLOAD
East Coast United States
The East Coast refrigerated market has remained very soft with capacity readily available, in line with seasonal trends. Typical produce season is ramping up, starting out of southern Florida, moving its way into southern Georgia, and eventually to the Carolinas in the coming months. Small pockets of produce have started to ship out of southern Florida already, but not enough to shift the market yet. Expect volumes to truly pick up around mid-April when produce begins to fully ripen.
Central United States
The Midwest temperature-controlled market continues to be relatively soft with capacity available, especially for standard palletized chilled goods with good load/unload times. The outlook for April and May is for more of the same.
Capacity out of the Midsouth is also readily available, although same-day freight may see some tightness. By May, this dynamic will likely shift further. Make loads as attractive as possible to help secure capacity.
West Coast United States
Costs have declined in the refrigerated market on the West Coast due to an excess supply of capacity, aligning with historical first-quarter trends across California, Arizona, and the Pacific Northwest. At the end of March, demand began to shift from Yuma, Arizona, to Northern California and may continue to do so in early April. This could potentially cause short-term rate spikes due to changes in where produce is being harvested, though costs are expected to stabilize as carrier supply adjusts. Meanwhile, outbound freight costs from the Pacific Northwest are likely to remain low, although inbound rates may see increases to offset demand dynamics.
GLOBAL UPDATES
OCEAN CARRIER CONSOLIDATION - Fresh produce growers and shippers attempting to move cargo globally via ocean vessels are dealing with scenarios where ocean carriers genuinely dictate some markets. They dictate and determine the marketability and viability of export markets for many fresh produce exporters. Shippers are being forced to commit earlier to ocean lines to reserve space for upcoming seasons, and spot market space on vessels is nearly impossible to secure.
TARIFF IMPACTS - Fresh produce growers and shippers in North America are bracing for the potential implementation of new tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada. These tariffs could significantly affect the cost structure and market dynamics for many fresh produce exporters. Growers and shippers are being advised to diversify their markets and strengthen local partnerships to mitigate the impact of these tariffs. Additionally, there is an increased focus on leveraging technology and innovative practices to enhance supply chain resilience and reduce dependency on any single market. The uncertainty surrounding these tariffs is prompting industry players to prepare for multiple outcomes, ensuring they can continue to provide a steady supply of fresh produce to consumers despite potential cost increases.
DEMURRAGE/DETENTION CHARGES - Shippers negotiating with ocean carriers or freight forwarders on perishable cargo contracts should request as much free time at destination as possible to reduce the risk of detention/demurrage charges when inspections/fumigations or drayage capacity constraints delay cargo delivery at destination. Unavoidable and unprecedented demurrage and detention charges due to delays in turning cargo at destination continue in 2025.
CONTAINER SHORTAGE – The ongoing shortage of refrigerated ocean containers is significantly affecting shipments from Latin America (LATAM) to the USA. This issue stems from a combination of seasonal demand and global logistics disruptions. An imbalance in container availability, compounded by extended transit times and port congestion, is leading to delays and rising shipping costs. Most ocean carriers have responded by imposing elevated peak-season surcharges. Addressing this issue requires coordinated efforts to improve container availability and streamline logistics processes.
For more global freight insights please visit Global Freight Markets Insights | C.H. Robinson.