PRO*ACT Crop Update: Hearts tight, melons light, lemons in sight
PRO*ACT Crop Update: Hearts tight, melons light, lemons in sight
The lettuce market remains one of the most challenging supply situations the industry has seen in years. Iceberg, Romaine and Romaine hearts have all been under pressure for an extended stretch, with historically elevated markets lasting longer than normal.
Harvestable yields across the Salinas Valley continue to be impacted by soil-borne disease, INSV pressure and weather-related stress, which has reduced field productivity and kept carton availability below normal.
While supplies remain tight across all lettuce categories, there are signs that Romaine and Romaine hearts have reached the peak of the market. We expect these markets to begin a gradual correction over the coming weeks as supplies slowly improve. Romaine and Romaine hearts remains limited, but some production is beginning to improve, which has created some downward movement in pricing. Even with these early signs of relief, demand continues to exceed available supply across much of the industry, and spot opportunities can still be difficult to secure.
The cantaloupe market is moving through a major supply gap. The Yuma season started early due to above-normal temperatures during the growing cycle, but those same conditions allowed whitefly and virus pressure to build and spread through later fields.
As a result, late acreage has seen lower yields, weaker plants, and a much smaller size profile. Jumbo fruit is essentially unavailable, nine-count fruit is extremely limited, and most of the remaining production is leaning toward 12s and 15s. Yuma is finishing earlier than expected and California production is not expected to bring meaningful relief until early July. Lead time and size flexibility will be key to securing fruit.
Lemons remain elevated, but we are getting closer to relief as imports begin arriving in early July. District One has wrapped up, and District Two is carrying the bulk of domestic production. With fewer growers in the district and strong demand still in place, all sizes remain tight, not just small fruit. Markets are expected to stay firm through the balance of June. Offshore lemons should help supplement domestic supply as we move into July, though early arrivals will likely lean toward larger fruit and carry strong pricing before broader relief develops.
Idaho russet potato supplies are tightening as storage quality becomes more of a concern. An unusually warm winter in Idaho has accelerated quality issues in storage, including pressure bruising, and pack-outs are declining faster than expected. This has reduced the amount of shippable product and is putting pressure on larger sizes in particular. Keeping inventories tight and turning product every one to two weeks will be important until new crop becomes available.
Looking ahead, new crop potatoes are expected around early August, but there are concerns beyond the current storage season. Some acreage may shift into alternative crops, and Idaho water shortages could impact yields for the next years crop.
We are starting to see some signs of relief in select areas, but availability remains far from normal. Lead time, tighter inventory management, and flexibility on sizing and substitutions will be the biggest help in keeping orders covered as the industry works through these supply gaps.
Joey Piedimonte, sourcing manager at PRO*ACT LLC, leverages over a decade of produce industry experience to lead teams, manage key vendor relationships and simplify complex challenges. He is dedicated to growth, strong partnerships and supporting the agricultural community.
