Freshspective
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | Issue 202
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
Asparagus market remains short and at all-time record high, this certainly has started to feel like a new norm for this category, the reality is that productive acreage in Peru is reduced approximately 20% compared to years past due to fields coming to an end and there is not a concrete plan of replacing that surface any time soon, that combined with challenging weather patterns caused by El Super Nino continues to cause the perfect storm. Mexico doesn’t have the volume available to make up the shortages experienced in Peru. From a sizing standpoint, big sizes are extremely limited and now with most retailers subbing standard with small sizes, it has created an unprecedented shortage on a size that historically has been abundant in the past. Even Europe has started to inquire on smalls which is unheard of. We will continue to see strong markets at least through the first half of October, maybe even longer.
Bell Peppers
[email protected]Rain is in the forecast for several growing regions ( MI, OH and NY ). Expect harvesting to be affected as a result. The goal is for local season to stay in the mix until mid-October, but local is on the way out. Georgia crop is expected to start around the middle of October. Expect markets to react in the upcoming weeks.
Broccoli
[email protected]Broccoli supplies remain adequate with active production in California and continued supplemental volume from Mexico. Regional harvests across the Midwest and Northeast are also contributing seasonal supplies as the summer growing season progresses. Market conditions are generally steady, with periodic firmness possible as production levels fluctuate. Quality is good overall, with strong color and appearance, although occasional sizing variation and minor field-related defects may be present. Supply remains available across multiple growing regions, helping minimize operational disruptions. The outlook for the next two weeks remains favorable, with steady availability expected and only modest market movement anticipated.
Cabbage
Cabbage continues to be in limited supply especially on mediums and small sizing. There will be a little relief next week when additional fields are ready. Southeastern cabbage will be ready mid-October.
Celery
[email protected]Celery supplies remain strong with steady production from California and additional regional supply supporting market coverage. Quality is excellent, with strong sizing, color, and overall appearance supporting reliable shipments. Disease pressure has eased compared to earlier periods, though isolated quality variability may still occur in some growing areas. Operationally, supply chains remain smooth with minimal disruptions expected. Over the next two weeks, favorable growing conditions are expected to support steady availability and stable market conditions.
Cucumbers
[email protected]Fall crops in the Northeast have started with new fields producing improved yields. Recent rainfall across the region has created some challenges, including decay and sunken areas that may not become visible for several days. North Carolina is about to ramp up with production as newer fields are ready to be harvested.
Greens
[email protected]Production in northern regions is slowing but will continue until the first hard freeze. Mustard appears to be the only SKU with limited supply at this time. The Georgia crop will be ready by 9/25 and in full production by October 1. It appears it will be a smooth transition except for mustard.
Leaf Lettuce
[email protected]Leaf lettuce supplies continue to improve as California production remains active in Salinas and Santa Maria, while regional harvests in the Midwest and East Coast contribute additional volume. Mexico continues to support the market with romaine availability, helping maintain overall coverage. Market conditions are gradually easing, particularly on green leaf and red leaf, while romaine remains firmer due to ongoing demand and variable field yields. Quality is generally good, though occasional lighter weights and minor shelf-life variability may still occur. Some buyers may continue to experience intermittent prorates on romaine hearts. The outlook for the next two weeks calls for improving availability and a more balanced market as harvest volumes continue to build.
Squash
[email protected]Overall availability is improving as the season is slowly transitioning back to North Carolina and Georgia. One factor to monitor is the whitefly activity that typically occurs during the fall season in Georgia. We are continuing to check the situation and adjusting accordingly to make sure we are on top of our fields. The local and regional season remains active, but the season is quickly changing. Michigan lows were mid-40s this morning.
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Conventional Fruits
Apples
The Washington harvest is now in full swing, and we are now harvesting Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith and Fuji this week. In the next couple of weeks, growers will begin to harvest the Red Delicious and Golden Delicious. In October, they will harvest the Cosmic Crisp, Envy and the Pink Lady. So far, the harvest is coming in shorter than projected on the earlier varieties and it looks like the trend is going to continue for most varieties this year. Expect the overall crop to be smaller than last year but for the quality to be excellent. Michigan's crop is projected to be better than last year's at approximately 25 million cases. New York's crop is expected to be slightly smaller than the previous year. Pennsylvania's crop will also be down significantly after poor weather caused severe crop loss this season.
Avocados
Texas is the main shipping point for avocados from Mexico. Sizes are still peaking on 48s. The size curve may shift smaller once the second bloom occurs in about a week. California is still harvesting but volumes are lower. Peru is nearly finished as some suppliers have already stopped inbound shipments. Quality remains good.
Bush Berries
[email protected]- Raspberries:
Conventional: California raspberry production is declining seasonally, with strong demand and limited supply keeping the market firm. Baja production will be key to the transition before Central Mexico ramps up and improves availability.
Organic: Supplies remain tight as California production declines, with demand exceeding availability. Baja and Central Mexico production should gradually improve supply, but the market is expected to hold firm in the near term.
- Blackberries:
Conventional: Santa Maria production is declining after its seasonal peak, with recent heat causing some quality and pack-out variability. Central Mexico is ramping up and should improve availability in the coming weeks, however current thundershowers could impact early season production if weather persists.
Organic: Supplies remain tight as California production declines. Central Mexican organic volume is expected to increase over the next 2–3 weeks, but the market expected to remain firm.
- Blueberries:
Conventional. Production in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) and British Columbia is all but done for the season, expected to conclude mid-September. Peruvian imports entering the marketplace are holding high FOBs. Organic blueberry supply remains limited, with seasonal transition keeping availability tight.
Cantaloupe
Seeing increased demand on cantaloupes out of California. While growers are past their peak production there is still steady volume and good quality. California product should go through early October and the next region of harvest in Yuma, Arizona will begin early to mid-October.
Citrus
Oranges
- California Oranges: California Valencias remain available with good quality and are expected through late November. The California Navel crop is running 2-3 weeks early, with harvest expected around second week of October. Crop volume is projected about 10% above last season, with peak sizes expected on 56s, 72s, and 88s.
- Import Oranges: Offshore Navels and Valencias are expected to remain available through October, helping bridge the transition to California fruit.
Lemons
- California Lemons: California production is expected to be higher than last season overall. Recent rainfall has improved sizing prospects, and quality is reported to be very clean with strong shelf-life potential.
- Import Lemons: Offshore supplies remain available through October, with good quality.
- Mexico Lemons: Supplies remain available but are expected to tighten as the season progresses.
Grapefruit
- California Grapefruit: California is expecting one of its strongest grapefruit crops in recent years, with production projected about 18% above last season and peak sizes on 32s-48s. Import Grapefruit: Offshore supplies remain available but are gradually winding down.
- Florida: Florida programs continue to provide consistent supplies.
Mandarins
- California Mandarins: Overall production is expected to be lower than last season, but quality is projected to improve significantly with better packouts and eating quality.
- Import Mandarins: Peru remains the primary offshore supplier. Import supplies are available through October, although the season has been affected by lighter production and quality challenges.
Minneolas
- California Minneolas: The crop is projected about 5% larger than last season, with strong quality and good availability expected. Supplies are expected to be steady, with harvest anticipated to begin in January.
Outlook
- California citrus crops are generally expected to have better quality and strong availability this season. Navels, grapefruit, Minneolas, and lemons are projected to show increased production, while mandarins are expected to be lighter but with significantly improved quality. Offshore supplies should remain available through October, supporting a smooth transition into the California season.
Grapes
California growers are preparing for unpredictable weather by protecting late-season grapes with plastic covers, while continuing to pack quality fruit in hopes of extending the season. Peru’s northern growers are expected to begin harvesting in early October, with Ica potentially starting 3–4 weeks ahead of schedule. Buyers should see ample quality grape supplies through November, with California marketers continuing to push promotions through October.
Honeydew
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There is increased demand on honeydews this week out of California. Production will continue in California through early October and production in Yuma Arizona will begin early to mid-October. Honeydews out of Northern Mexico loading in Nogales are starting up for the season.
Limes
Weather Update: A warm to very hot and humid period is forecast, with maximum temperatures ranging from approximately 85°F to 97°F and minimum temperatures between 68°F and 77°F. Partly cloudy to overcast skies are expected, with frequent showers and thunderstorms, primarily during the afternoon and evening hours. Warm temperatures, high humidity, and intermittent rainfall will persist, with periods of increased precipitation activity. These conditions may maintain elevated moisture levels within the orchards and contribute to increased disease pressure.
Sizing Profile:
Peak sizes 200/230/250
Size distribution: 110-11%, 150-12%, 175-15%, 200-23%, 230-21%, 250-18%
Quality: These conditions of elevated temperatures and high humidity may increase phytosanitary pressure, favoring the development of diseases and pest activity, while also increasing the risk of oleocellosis (oil spot) and fruit quality deterioration during harvesting operations. Looking Ahead: The orchards have completed the peak harvest period and are now entering a lower-production phase, with a progressive decline in the volume of fruit available for harvesting. The orchards are entering a post-harvest vegetative recovery stage, during which increased shoot emergence and foliage development are expected as the trees prepare for the next flowering and production period. This recovery phase is expected to be completed within this period, provided that significant rainfall occurs across the region.
Mangos
This week Brazil is packing mainly from the Petrolina region, and the season is going through the 7th week. The regular season is expected to go until week 42-43. Brazil shipped 130 containers last week (week 37) and it is expected that the number will increase this week. This week, the volume available for harvest is expected to increase as the season approaches to the peak harvesting period. Regarding fruit sizes this week, there is a predominance of sizes 9, 10, and 12, while larger sizes appeared in smaller proportions, 62% of the fruit is size 10/12 count.
Papaya
Papaya supply is generally meeting U.S. demand. Supply conditions are somewhat tighter, with fewer small-count fruit available than prior weeks. Yields and quality are good with a slightly stronger internal market competing against exports. Supply for at least the next two weeks for papaya production is expected to be a bit tighter especially on small fruit. Inventories showing some availability to offer on large fruit. Majority of sizes between 6s – 12s with some surplus fruit. Quality is reported as Good, some speckling and lower color. Color 25%- 50% / 12-14 brix at point of shipping, ideal temp for Imperial Papaya is 48 degrees to avoid quality issues upon receiving.
Crop outlook: Forecast has conditions as with enough supply for the next two weeks.
Pears
We are now shipping Bartlett pears, Anjou and Red pears out of Washington and Oregon. The overall Washington crop is projected to be smaller than last year's bumper crop, but ample fruit should be available this season. Quality is reported as good, and sizing appears normal, with a balanced mix of sizes.
Pineapple
Availability: Supply is not meeting U.S. demand. Mexican supply is set to increase at the end of September with a good U.S. market attracting Mexican imports. This is still due to the expectation of Costa Rica being tight. Organic supply will restart on the third week of September as a pack to order program only.
Supply: Supply continues to be unstable out of Costa Rica with variability one week to the next. Volumes expected to continue to drop significantly in September and remain low deep into November. Tight volume in CRI is due primarily to strong Natural Flowering followed by a lack of harvestable product. Supply conditions are expected to come down in the next three weeks for CRI.
Quality: Mexico has low yields, good fruit condition, and very limited availability. Costa Rica has lower volume and good quality at packing, with quality fruit being exported to the United States and European Union.
Forecast: Market is Slightly higher with good demand and some availability on 6s and 7s. Forecast: GOOD demand remains for the next three weeks. Some surplus fruit being offered at U.S. shipping points by large Grower Shippers at this time.
Strawberries
FOBs are expected to correct slightly this week and into next with softer post-holiday demand. Another heat wave is moving across both Northern and Southern California growing districts, which is expected to compound lingering field challenges and continue to impact fresh-market quality, berry sizing, and daily yield output. Persistently warm nights and hot afternoons are not ideal growing conditions and is expected to negatively affect berry development and overall pack-outs. The Northern district is expected to exit production within the next few weeks. Meanwhile, fall crop production is anticipated to ramp up toward the end of September. Oxnard district is expected to scratch in the coming weeks However, continued abnormal warmth could have the opposite effect on plant health and potentially delay the improvement in supply. Organic FOBs are slightly stronger this week, with sporadic availability across both Northern and Southern districts. Supply is expected to gradually improve as the new fall crop gains momentum in late September. Until then, the market is likely to remain somewhat volatile, and the transition between production cycles continuing to influence availability and pricing.
Watermelon
Supplies are starting to get a little tighter on watermelons. Indiana, Oklahoma and Michigan are still shipping with light supplies. Minis are tight in the east as well as they are only out of Indiana. Out west we are shipping out of Stockton, California and Wapato Washington with limited supplies. Our fall crop will start in October out of Nogales.
Organic Fruits & Vegetables
Organic Apples
[email protected]The new Washington State crop has started in very light volume. New-crop organic Gala apples are being harvested and shipped, providing welcome relief after being among the shortest items in the apple category over the past couple of months. Organic Honeycrisp apples are also being harvested in very low volume. Other key organic varieties, including Fuji, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady, are not expected to be harvested until September or October, although limited supplies remain from last year's crop.
Organic Citrus
[email protected]California organic citrus is entering a critical transition period heading into the latter part of the 2026 season. Growers are balancing record retail demand against tighter upcoming crop volumes.
Overall Navel Volume Down: Recent estimates project California's upcoming navel orange crop to be approximately 35% smaller than the previous year's exceptionally large harvest.
Shippers report that weekly volumes should remain relatively steady, but the overall season will be much shorter, causing peak availability to end earlier than usual.
Domestic Lemon Supply Gaps: California's District 1, or Central Valley, completed its lemon harvest earlier this summer. This contributed to a high-demand, low-inventory environment expected to persist through September 2026.
Organic Dry Vegetables
[email protected]The peak local season for organic hard winter squash is beginning and is expected to support produce departments through early November.
- Regional Lineup: Mid-Atlantic and East Coast grower cooperatives, particularly in Pennsylvania, are reporting excellent initial quality across staple varieties.
- Core Varieties: Strong volumes are building for organic butternut, spaghetti, and green acorn squash.
Specialty Standouts: Organic delicata, known for its edible skin, and organic pie pumpkins are reaching shelves with strong early-season quality.
Organic Mini Melons
[email protected]We are shipping organic minis out of Stockton California, and we will have supplies the next couple of weeks.
Organic Onions
[email protected]The California organic onion season is in full swing. Supply is strong, and quality is outstanding. The Pacific Northwest, including Washington and Oregon, has started with light volume. Medium and jumbo onions are both in good supply. Shallots have also begun and are available in Hollister, California.
Organic Pears
[email protected]New-crop organic Bartlett pears have started in very light volume from Washington State. Organic Bosc and Anjou pears are not expected to be harvested until around September 21st. The overall Washington organic pear crop is projected to be smaller than last season’s bumper crop, but ample pears should be available for promotions over the next several months.
Organic Potatoes
[email protected]As the California potato season ends, the Northwest season is beginning to pick up. Russet, red, yellow, and fingerling potatoes are being harvested and placed into storage. Potatoes from the region are currently very fresh and should continue to be fresh-packed throughout September.
Organic Squash
[email protected]Organic summer squash supply, including zucchini, yellow crookneck squash, and cucumbers, varies significantly by region:
- West Coast: Supplies from California and Baja remain exceptionally tight. Persistent heat and erratic rainfall have affected local yields.
- East Coast and Midwest: Conditions are more favorable across New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Georgia fall production is beginning to increase and is expected to add needed volume to broader supply.
Organic Sweet Potatoes
[email protected]Organic sweet potato supply is stable and consistent, supported by steady shipping from core domestic growing areas and sufficient volume as the industry awaits late-summer and fall harvests. Properly cured organic sweet potatoes have a long storage life, helping the category avoid the sharp midsummer supply gaps seen in other dry vegetable categories. California continues to lead western supply, with strong production from the Central Valley. Shippers are drawing high-quality cured organic sweet potatoes from storage to meet steady demand.
Transportation
East Coast United States
Temperature-controlled freight conditions across the Eastern United States continue to reflect a mix of seasonal tightening and emerging areas of relief. In New England, capacity has tightened as expected for this time of year and is likely to remain constrained through the remainder of the summer produce season. Similar trends have developed across the Upper Atlantic, where rates have moved higher alongside stronger seasonal demand.
The Ohio River Valley has experienced some of the most volatile conditions in the region, with significant swings in demand creating equally volatile load-to-truck ratios and resulting in elevated transportation costs.
Further south, the Lower Atlantic experienced substantial rate increases throughout much of July, although early signs of easing began to emerge heading into August. The most notable shift occurred in the Southeast, where outbound refrigerated costs declined sharply as regional produce volumes fell and the summer harvest season began winding down.
While this improved outbound capacity availability, it has also created new challenges for inbound freight, particularly into Florida. With fewer outbound opportunities available, carriers have become more selective about serving the region, reducing the attractiveness of inbound loads and creating potential service challenges for shippers moving freight into the Southeast.
Central United States
Refrigerated market conditions across the Central United States softened during the second half of July as demand retreated from peak summer levels. The South Central region experienced the most significant decline, with outbound freight volumes falling sharply and load-to-truck ratios moving lower as a result.
While transportation costs have also eased, cost-per-mile declines have lagged the reduction in demand. This is consistent with broader national trends, as carriers continue to face elevated operating costs.
The Midwest and Great Lakes regions are following a similar trajectory, though at a more moderate pace. Freight demand and load-to-truck ratios are down, but pricing remains elevated compared to historical norms. The Upper Midwest remains the primary exception. Seasonal harvesting activity, particularly corn, is creating localized spikes in refrigerated demand and contributing to periodic capacity tightening.
These agricultural movements are generating uneven market conditions and preventing rates from declining as quickly as in other parts of the region. As harvest activity expands over the coming weeks, the Upper Midwest is likely to remain one of the tighter refrigerated markets in the country.
West Coast United States
The West Coast refrigerated market remains largely balanced overall, though conditions are beginning to diverge. In California, outbound demand has moderated somewhat compared to earlier in the summer. Load-to-truck ratios are down modestly and cost-per-mile trends have begun to ease, reflecting a more balanced supply-and-demand environment.
However, these conditions are not uniform. Pockets of tightened capacity continue to emerge sporadically across the state, depending on harvest schedules, commodity flows, and specific origin markets.
In contrast, the Pacific Northwest is entering a period of increasing seasonal pressure. Harvest activity for key commodities such as cherries and onions accelerated as July ended, driving a noticeable tightening in available refrigerated capacity. As additional crops move into harvest over the coming months, demand for refrigerated equipment is expected to increase further.
Historically, refrigerated pricing in the Pacific Northwest continues to strengthen through the fall harvest season and into Thanksgiving, and conditions suggest a similar pattern may develop this year. Shippers moving freight out of the region should expect tighter capacity and continued upward pressure on rates as harvest activity expands.Customs
OCEAN TRENDS - Global ocean networks continue to normalize, although operating conditions remain fluid and regionally uneven. The security situation in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and broader Middle East continues to influence carrier network decisions and routing strategies. During 2026, several major carriers, including Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd, have progressively expanded Suez Canal utilization on selected services following ongoing improvements in regional security conditions. However, many carriers continue to maintain contingency routings via the Cape of Good Hope, and overall Suez Canal traffic remains significantly below pre-crisis levels. Recent increases in containership transits suggest improving confidence, but war-risk insurance costs, operational flexibility concerns, and periodic security incidents continue to limit a full network return to pre-2024 operating patterns. Transit times have improved on services returning to Suez routing; however, vessels continuing to utilize Cape routings may still experience voyage extensions of approximately 10 to 14 days. Carriers remain disciplined in capacity deployment, while equipment imbalances and periodic space constraints continue to occur in select trade lanes. Reefer demand remains robust in several agricultural export markets, particularly in Latin America, and equipment repositioning challenges continue to affect refrigerated cargo availability in certain regions.
TARIFF IMPACTS - The U.S. tariff environment remains highly dynamic and continues to present significant compliance and cost-management challenges for importers. The temporary Section 122 import surcharge expired on July 24, 2026, upon reaching its statutory 150-day limit. Simultaneously, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative implemented new Section 301 tariff measures applicable to approximately 60 economies, establishing a two-tier tariff structure generally ranging from 10 percent to 12.5 percent. As a result, many importers have experienced little overall reduction in duty exposure despite the expiration of the Section 122 surcharge. Existing Section 301, Section 232, antidumping and countervailing duty programs remain in effect, and additional trade actions continue to be evaluated under multiple statutory authorities. Importers should continue monitoring developments closely, as trade policy remains subject to rapid regulatory and judicial change.
DEMURRAGE/DETENTION CHARGES - Following the September 23, 2025 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in World Shipping Council v. Federal Maritime Commission, the FMC ceased enforcement of 46 CFR Section 541.4, the provision governing which parties may be invoiced for demurrage and detention charges. The court vacated only that section of the rule and left all remaining Demurrage and Detention Billing Requirements fully intact. Accordingly, invoice-content requirements, the 30-day invoice issuance deadline, and associated billing dispute timelines remain enforceable. The FMC has indicated that future rulemaking may address invoicing responsibility; however, no replacement regulation has been finalized as of August 2026. Stakeholders should continue reviewing contractual allocations of demurrage and detention liability and ensure billing practices align with the remaining requirements of 46 CFR Part 541.
REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE LANDSCAPE - The FDA continues implementation activities associated with the Food Safety Modernization Act Section 204 Food Traceability Rule. The compliance deadline remains July 20, 2028. Although enforcement remains deferred, FDA has continued conducting stakeholder outreach, public meetings, tabletop readiness exercises, and discussions regarding potential implementation flexibilities, particularly concerning lot-level traceability requirements. Many retailers, foodservice providers, and supply chain partners continue advancing traceability initiatives ahead of the compliance deadline and may require enhanced recordkeeping and electronic data-sharing capabilities before federal enforcement begins. Companies handling Food Traceability List products should continue preparing for compliance despite the extended implementation timeline.
ISPM-15 WOOD PACKAGING PROTOCOLS (UPDATED 2026) - Effective January 1, 2026, USDA APHIS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection resumed full enforcement of the ISPM-15 hyphen requirement contained within the IPPC wood packaging mark. The agencies previously suspended enforcement during much of 2025 but confirmed there would be no additional grace period following December 31, 2025. Shipments containing noncompliant wood packaging materials may be subject to cargo holds, re-export requirements, penalties, or other enforcement actions. Importers and exporters should ensure all wood packaging materials fully comply with ISPM-15 marking requirements, including the required hyphen separating the country code from the producer code, in order to avoid potential supply chain disruptions.
EMERGENCY BUNKER SURCHARGE - Emergency bunker, fuel, war-risk, security, contingency, and conflict-related surcharges continue to impact global ocean transportation costs. Although portions of the container shipping industry have cautiously resumed Red Sea and Suez Canal transits, many carriers continue to apply war-risk and contingency-based pricing mechanisms due to ongoing geopolitical instability, elevated insurance premiums, and operational uncertainty in the Middle East. Recent security incidents and periodic disruptions in both the Red Sea and adjacent regional waterways continue to create uncertainty regarding transportation costs, transit times, schedule reliability, and network planning. While freight markets remain generally balanced, carriers maintain the flexibility to adjust surcharge programs rapidly in response to security developments, insurance market conditions, fuel costs, and vessel-routing decisions.
For more global freight insights please visit Global Freight Markets Insights | C.H. Robinson Ocean Shipping Freight Market Update | C.H. Robinson
Floral
No changes for floral. Product availability is adequate out of both growing regions, Colombia and Ecuador. At the same time, air capacity is also adequate out of both growing regions.