-
NEW!
• California Avocados
• Import Durandeau and Alexander Lucas Pears (Monday)
• Green Garlic -
Promotable Volume
• Mexican Asparagus
• Baby Broccoli
• Fair Trade Covilli Green Beans
• Tomatero Red and Green Little Gem Lettuce -
COMING SOON
• Rhubarb week of April 17th
• Cherries in May
• Compostable Herb Packaging -
BACK IN STOCK
• Small Kabocha
• Celery Root
• Coke Spring Onions
• Tango Mandarins
• Delicata
• Medley Creamer Potatoes -
TIGHT INVENTORY
• Artichokes
• Butternut and Kabocha Squash
• Sunrise Nantes Carrots
• Jalapenos
• Organicgirl Arugula, Butter Lettuce, Little Gems
• Mini Seedless Watermelon
• Heirloom and Roma Tomatoes -
GAPPING
• Radicchio
• Bunched Spinach
• Napa Cabbage
• Iceberg
• Sunrise Nantes Carrots
• Romanesco
• Bunched Spinach
• Thai Coconuts -
WINDING DOWN
• Club Apples
• Cara Caras
• Peruvian Grapes -
FINISHED
• Domestic Jazz
BUYER’S NOTES
Updated April 9, 2023
FRUIT
MARKET update
Springtime is here and Mexico is winding down on warm veg, while California is slow to start due to cold weather and heavy rain delaying planting. Covilli will most likely be done in Mexico by the end of April. The March transition from the desert back up the Salinas/Watsonville growing area is delayed. The ability to enter the fields to plant spring crops has been few and far between. The desert growing regions are still experiencing cold mornings down into the 30’s where historically temps are already into the 50’s. We will see shortages and gaps in April and May. Think Broccoli, Romaine, Iceberg, Leaf Lettuce, Kales, Cauliflower, Cilantro, Parsley and Fennel. Organicgirl will see volatile supply and quality on arugula, butter, and little gems due to aphid pressure as the season winds down in the southern growing regions. Learn more here.
We are at the end of the Equal Exchange Mexican Avocado crop and will see other Mexican labels through April. California is slowly starting up with more consistent supply and sizing in about two weeks. Avocados at the beginning of the season will be immature with a lower oil content than Mexican fruit at the end of their season. Eat Mexican avocados sooner and with a slight give.
Mexican Asparagus continues to have good volume out of Caborca with prices rising this week. California Coastal View Produce Asparagus (Gonazales), weather dependent, will pick up in volume in the next few weeks. CVP is an Earl’s Exclusive! Don’t miss Tomatero Green and Red Little Gem Lettuce, a cross between Butter and Romaine Lettuce, offering both sweet flavor and crisp texture.
With the colder weather Strawberries (Baja) have a shorter shelf life. Until weather improves we won’t see any promotional volumes and pricing. Raspberries and Blackberries (Mexico) have good flavor with steady supply. California Forbidden Blueberries are back in both 6oz clamshells and ReadyCycle sustainable packaging. No pints available until production comes on strong.
Durondeau Pears
Apples
Steady supply of Domestic Gala, Granny and Pink Lady. Cosmic Crisp, Jazz and Envy Club Apple will have good supply for a little longer.
Avocados
We are at the end of the Equal Exchange Mexican Avocado crop and will see other Mexican labels through April. California is slowly starting up with more consistent supply and sizing in about two weeks.
Bananas
Earl’s is a banana house carrying Fair Trade Organic Bananas year-round. Did you know the banana plant is an herb and not a tree?
Alexander Lucas Pear
Berries
As Mexico gets more heat, we will see higher volume and lower pricing.
Blackberries: Good supply out of Mexico.
Blueberries: Forbidden coming on with more production as the heat colors up the berries.
Strawberries: Limited supply from various growers in Baja.
Raspberries: Good quality and legs. Grown under hoops in Baja, protecting them from the elements.
Citrus
Citrus and Lemons sizing up large from all the rain. Cara Cara’s for a few more weeks. Navels may make it through May. Mexico going strong on Valencia’s through April.
kiwi
All storage crop. Bulk out of Italy/Greece and bags from California. New Zealand starting in May.
Coliman Fair Trade Bananas: Cutting off one banana to check for maturity
Melons
Mini Seedless Watermelon (Mexico) tight on the front side of the week. Divine Mini Watermelons and Honeydew mid-April.
California will start in May as Mexico ends. Access will start with Honeydew, Cantaloupe and Mini Seedless Watermelons.
pears
Down to Domestic A’njou and Golden Bosc. Import Pears are getting colorful with Red Bartlett and Red A’njou.
NEW! Alexander Lucas and Durondeau Pears (Monday). When ripe, the Alexander Lucas Pear has buttery soft flesh, and is smooth and extremely juicy with a sweet delicate flavor. The Durondeau Pear has a golden exterior with streaks of red blush and is covered all over in a soft russet. They are a bit tart with a crisp bite and a floral flavor.
tropicals
High demand on Ataulfo has led to a shortage of large size fruit. Tommy Atkins in promotable volumes on larger 8ct. Thai Coconuts are gapping.
VEGETABLES
Anna’s Red Radishes
Asparagus
As weather warms up, we will see more California Coastal View Produce by the end of the week. Look for Mexican Asparagus prices to be in good supply with slightly higher prices.
Artichokes
Look for Ocean Mist to gap for 2 weeks while they transition up to the Castroville area.
baby bok choy
Anna’s starting in the next week as they wait for fields to size up. Don’t miss their beautiful Red Radishes!
bunched beets
By Mid-April California Bunched Beets will be in full force.
carrots
Sunrise Nantes full production in about 2 weeks. Plenty of Capay Sunrise Carrots through April out of the desert.
Asparagus
green beans
Covilli Fair Green Beans in good supply this week and on Earl’s Weekly Specials.
broccoli
Josie’s will have a small gap as they transition out of the desert back up to Salinas. Expect some disruptions.
sweet baby broccoli
Production has increased with weather improving. Look for some from Tomatero.
brussels sprouts
Good volume on Fair Trade Covilli Brussels.
cabbage
Green, Red and Savoy good supply. Napa gapping for a few weeks until Watsonville/Salinas Area starts up.
cauliflower
Tutti Frutti Bulk Cauliflower for about 2 weeks as well as some from Tomatero (Watsonville).
Covilli Fair Trade Green Beans
celery
Good supply for now but by the end of April California crop will be finished, with a transition to Mexico.
cucumbers
Plenty of Persian Clams, Slicers and Euro Cucumbers.
comanche creek
Spring Garlic and Purple Top Turnips from Comanche Creek. Green garlic is harvested young before the bulbs develop or dry out. It is harvested at the beginning of spring so its immature bulb and edible
greens
Great shape on all Kales and Chards.
herbs
Mixed Herbs are back.
lettuce
Don’t miss Tomatero Green and Red Little Gem Lettuce, a cross between Butter and Romaine Lettuce, offering both sweet flavor and crisp texture.
leeks
Ralph’s through April.
onions
Coke Spring Onions in a small way. Onions are all storage crop for now. Smooth transition to El Centro in the next couple of weeks.
peas
Celebrate springtime with crunchy Sugar Snap Peas from Tutti. English Peas are slow to go as the weather is starting to warm up. Del Cabo (Mexico) is done for the season.
bell peppers
Divine winding down in the next few weeks. Green Bells continue to have high pricing.
hot peppers
Cherry Bombs are sporadic. Jalapeño tight from the cold weather. Shishito and Padrons are limited. Good supply on Anaheims, Poblanos and Serranos.
potatoes
Last shipment of Golds out of the Pacific Northwest. Russet prices are skyrocketing as the storage crop gets tighter and new crop won’t start until June. Good supply on Russet Bales. We may see a gap on Russets for a few weeks before the new crop starts up.
roots
California Parsnips from Lakeside to supplement Ralph’s (WA).
bunched spinach
We may see a sporadic land here and there until the transition is complete.
summer squash
Covilli is back with a flush of Zucchini.
tomatoes
Covilli Mixed Heirlooms are slowing down and tight to start the week. Cluster Tomatoes in good supply. Roma Tomatoes are tight.
winter squash
Small Kabocha is back.
FOLLOW THE FLAVOR @EARLSORGANIC ON INSTAGRAM
VEGUCATION CORNER
