Freshspective
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 | Issue 198
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
Most domestic asparagus sources are coming to an end. Peru and Mexico are now the primary sources of supply. Demand exceeds volume, and availability is expected to remain tight for at least the next several weeks.
Bell Peppers
[email protected]Eastern North Carolina production is expected to wind down over the next 10 to 12 days. As the season progresses northward, Maryland and New Jersey are both expected to begin harvesting by the end of the week. New Jersey production appears to be ahead of schedule, which should result in improved volume by mid-month. Michigan, one of the key summer pepper-growing regions, is projected to begin harvesting between July 22 and 25.
Broccoli
[email protected]Broccoli supply is active in California with consistent production out of Salinas and Santa Maria, supported by Mexican crossings and emerging regional harvests in the Midwest and East Coast, including New Jersey. The market is generally steady, with some localized firmness depending on field yields. Quality is good overall, though some lots are showing minor variability in sizing due to changing weather conditions. As temperatures increase, growers are closely managing harvest timing, which can impact pack-outs in certain areas. Over the next two weeks, supply is expected to remain adequate across regions, with the potential for slight market firming if production tightens during transitional periods.
Cabbage
Cabbage has been in good supply out of the Carolinas. The northern regions like Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and the Northeast have also begun. Look for great quality in all areas with promotable volume. There are deals to be had!
Celery
[email protected]Celery supply is steadily improving with strong production out of Salinas and additional volume from Oxnard, supported by regional programs in the Midwest and East Coast as those seasons begin. Mexico continues to play a supplemental role, primarily in the southern U.S. The market is steady with a slight easing trend as overall availability improves. Quality is good, with consistent sizing and strong pack-outs supporting reliable shipments. Hearts and value-added items may still experience occasional tightness, but overall supply is more predictable. Over the next two weeks, the category is expected to remain stable with continued dependable supply across multiple growing regions.
Cucumbers
[email protected]Michigan is beginning to generate stronger cucumber volumes, while additional Northeastern growing regions continue to come online. The local season is in full swing, helping to expand overall supply availability.
Greens
[email protected]Greens are in good supply out of the Carolinas. The northern regions like Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and the Northeast have also begun. Look for great quality in all areas with promotable volume. There are deals to be had! See your Robinson Fresh account manager today!
Leaf Lettuce
[email protected]Leaf lettuce supply is improving out of California as Salinas and Santa Maria production continues to build, while regional programs in the Midwest and New Jersey are beginning to add supplemental volume. Mexico remains active in romaine, particularly on hearts, helping support overall availability. Markets are holding a firm tone, with romaine still experiencing the most pressure due to variable yields and sizing. Quality is trending better but remains inconsistent at times, with lighter weights and occasional shelf life concerns. Short-term operational impacts such as prorates or substitutions may still occur. Over the next two weeks, supply is expected to gradually stabilize as regional production strengthens; though, the market will remain sensitive to weather and field conditions.
Squash
[email protected]Recent heat waves pushed temperatures into the triple digits across several growing regions. Despite the extreme weather, squash supplies remain steady as the local season is now fully underway throughout much of the Eastern growing areas.
Sweet Corn
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Conventional Fruits
Apples
We are in the heart of the storage crop season and the import season. The storage crop is smaller than last year, which has tightened availability across many varieties and packs. This trend is expected to continue until new-crop harvest begins in August. Gala apples remain the most significantly reduced item this year, with the latest storage report showing inventory down more than 20% compared to last year. Gala availability is expected to remain tight until mid-August, when stronger harvest volumes should begin. Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Cosmic Crisp are also limited.
Overall, the crop is smaller than expected, but fruit remains available, and the team should continue to maximize opportunities as they arise. Import apples are providing steady weekly supply and should help stabilize availability over the next couple of months. New crop will begin in a limited way in August, with expectations for a stronger fall crop.
Avocados
- Mexican Fruit
Mexico remains the main supplier of avocados for the U.S. market, and the crop is transitioning from old crop to new crop. Old-crop fruit has high dry matter, covers sizes 32 through 84, eats well, and ripens quickly due to higher oil content. New-crop fruit is mainly 48s and smaller, with adequate dry matter and slower, even ripening. Promotable sizes are 48, 60, and 70.
- California Fruit
California harvesting is normal, with a high percentage of 60s. More promotions are needed to move volume. Quality is strong, jumbo sizes are less abundant, and the size curve is heavier to 48s, 60s, and smaller fruit.
- Peruvian Fruit
More shipments are arriving, and volumes available for programs and open market opportunities are expected to increase this month. Peru is forecasting a shorter crop due to weather and the effects of El Niño. Larger fruit is more prevalent.
- Colombian Fruit
Colombian production has also been affected by El Niño. Some fruit is available, but volumes are below prior expectations, and certain programs are experiencing delays and shorts from this origin. Quality is good, with positive reports on ripening and flavor.
- Dominican Fruit
Shipments continue to arrive on the East Coast. Quality is typical of new crop, and volumes remain low but are expected to improve into the summer.
Bush Berries
[email protected]- Blueberries
Supplies remain steady. As the California season winds down, Pacific Northwest production is ramping up, with fruit now shipping into California for loading. This transition should improve overall availability as volumes increase. The New Jersey season is ending quickly due to recent weather events that have affected production and quality. Peruvian blueberries are expected to arrive from late August into early September.
- Raspberries
California and Baja production is expected to increase over the coming weeks, improving availability. Supplies remain limited as Central Mexico continues to experience reduced production due to adverse weather. Reports of soft fruit and leaking berries persist, affecting overall quality.
- Blackberries
Demand continues to outpace supply. California production has been slow to start, with stronger volumes expected in approximately two to three weeks. The New Jersey season has concluded, and Pacific Northwest production is anticipated to ramp up by mid-July.
Cantaloupe
New-crop cantaloupe production is beginning to increase out of California’s Central Valley this week. Quality looks excellent, with sizing trending larger to jumbo 9s and 9s. Athena cantaloupes are starting lightly out of North Carolina and Indiana in the East.
Citrus
Oranges
- California Navels: The season is coming to an end, with only a few growers still harvesting remaining fruit. Sizing continues to skew larger, heavy to 72-count and larger. Smaller sizes, including 88, 113, and 138 count, are expected to remain limited through the end of the season. Most growers are finished, while some larger growers may continue into mid- to late July.
- California Valencias: Harvest is ramping back up as navels wind down. Smaller sizes, including 113 and 138 count, remain tight, as the broader orange market is short on these sizes. Overall sizing is expected to skew larger this season, similar to the early Navel crop.
- Import Navels: First arrivals of South African and Chilean navels have landed with limited early availability. Sizing is projected to be well balanced, with peak volume in 64 and 72 count. Overall volume should continue to ramp up through July.
- Import Caras: Chilean supply is trending earlier than last season, with good overall volumes projected. First arrivals are expected this week, with South African product expected to follow in mid- to late July.
Lemons
- California Lemons: Market conditions remain active due to strong demand and limited supply. District 2 fruit is predominantly choice grade, with peak sizing in 75 and 95 count; smaller sizes remain tight. Firm conditions are expected to continue into the summer import season.
- Import Lemons: Argentinian and Chilean lemons have arrived, with a large portion already committed to contracts. Early-season fruit quality is fair, with some greening expected. Early-season sizing is limited on larger fruit, including 95 and 115 count. The import season is projected to mirror last year, with limited availability. Continued demand from global markets is constraining supply and reducing export volumes to the U.S.
Grapefruit
- California Grapefruit: Star Ruby and Red Flame varieties are currently being harvested. No major quality concerns are reported, and supply is strong across all sizes.
- Import Grapefruit: First arrivals of South African product are here, with excellent quality reported. Overall volume to the U.S. is expected to be down compared to last year, which saw elevated shipments compared to typical seasons.
Mandarins
- Import Mandarins: Supply from Uruguay, Peru, Chile, and South Africa is now available, primarily clementine and primosole varieties. Murcotts and Tangos are expected in the next few weeks. Due to the shortened California season, the import market remains active, but conditions should ease as volume ramps up this month.
Grapes
Fruit quality out of California is excellent so far, with ideal growing conditions supporting color and sugar development. Harvest volumes will increase this week as production ramps up, and strong retail promotions through July and August should keep demand high. Green grape supply is expected to meet and may exceed demand this week.
Honeydew
Honeydews remain somewhat tight, with Central California starting in a light way. Production and availability are expected to improve next week.
Limes
Region: Veracruz, Mexico
- Weather Update:
Very hot and humid conditions are expected over the next two weeks, with maximum temperatures ranging from 88°F to 97°F and minimum temperatures between 73°F and 79°F. Periods of sunshine and variable cloud cover are expected, along with the possibility of scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly during the afternoons and evenings. Intense heat and high humidity are forecast to persist through most of the period.
- Market Intel:
The market continues to change rapidly. Please contact the lime team for the latest availability details.
- Sizing Profile:
Peak sizes are 175, 150, and 200. Size distribution is 110 at 10%, 150 at 19%, 175 at 24%, 200 at 19%, 230 at 17%, and 250 at 11%.
- Quality:
Fruit may be susceptible to burn damage associated with manual handling, or oil spot, due to the combined effects of forecasted rainfall, elevated temperatures, and high dew point conditions. These factors increase peel susceptibility to physiological and mechanical damage during harvesting and post-harvest handling.
- Looking Ahead:
By early July, a substantial volume of fruit production is visible throughout the orchards. By mid-July, a substantial level of fruit production is anticipated, with fruit sizes expected to vary throughout the harvest period.
Mangos
Demand remains strong on most sizes of red mangos, while honey mango demand is softer as the market is saturated with small sizes. Most available honey mangos are 18, 20, and 22 count, and many shippers have stopped harvesting as the crop comes to an end this week. Red mangos from Northern Sinaloa and Los Mochis began shipping this past weekend, with sizing leaning toward 7s and 8s and limited smaller sizes. Keitt mangos are expected to be available starting in August for three to four weeks before the season ends.
Papaya
Papaya supply is meeting demand in the U.S. market. Supply conditions are stable, with enough fruit crossing to service demand. Yields and quality are good, with a balanced internal market competing against exports. Similar volume is expected to arrive into the U.S. this week.
Papaya production is expected to remain sufficient for at least the next two weeks, with good quality and favorable harvest conditions. Inventories show less availability to offer. Most sizes are between 6s and 12s, with some surplus fruit.
Quality is reported as good, though shorter shelf life, stem issues, and lower color have been noted. Color is 25% to 50%, with 12 to 14 Brix at point of shipping. The ideal temperature for Imperial papaya is 48°F to help avoid quality issues upon receiving. The crop outlook indicates lighter supply over the next two weeks.
Pears
Two pear regions are shipping this week. Old-crop Anjou and Red Anjou pears are shipping out of Washington and Oregon and should remain available until new-crop Anjou begins in early September. California is starting new-crop Bartletts and red Bartletts this week, with availability expected for the next couple of months. Washington will begin new-crop Bartlett harvest in late August.
The Bartlett crop looks slightly smaller than last year but remains a good crop to sell this summer and fall. California Bosc pears are expected to start next week and remain available until the Washington crop begins in early September. The Bosc crop also looks slightly smaller than last year but should provide a solid crop for fall sales.
Pineapple
Supply Meeting Demand in U.S. Market.
- Supply: Some Mexico growers are entering the summer gap, with yields declining quickly. Our organic grower will be out until early September. Supply is stable out of Costa Rica, with good volumes expected through the first weeks of July, though some growers are seeing yield reductions. Tight Costa Rica volume is still expected after week 31. Some fruit is available in the U.S. market, and supply conditions are expected to remain stable for Costa Rica over the next three weeks.
- Quality: Mexico is experiencing low yields, slightly lower Brix, and limited availability. Costa Rica volume is stable, with good quality at packing. Good-quality fruit is being exported to the U.S. and EU.
- Market: Demand remains good, with overall stable availability on 6s and 7s.
- Forecast: Demand remains strong. Similar surplus fruit continues to be offered at U.S. shipping points by large grower-shippers.
Strawberries
California by District
- Santa Maria: Yields remain moderate. The east side district continues to phase out as the transition to the west side progresses, positioning the region for the next production cycle. Some fruit is being sent to freezer due to poor quality, which helps support better returns to the farm.
- Salinas/Watsonville: Production is generally stronger, with more consistent overall availability. Growers continue to manage field performance closely to maximize fresh-market quality amid ongoing challenges.
Watermelon
Watermelon supplies are steady. Shipments from Tifton, Georgia, are expected to continue for another two to three weeks. North Carolina should start in the next week or two, and Indiana is expected to begin at the end of July. Texas is moving limited volume, while Arizona and California are active in the West. Wapato, Washington, is expected to start around mid-July. Mini watermelon volume also remains steady out of Georgia, California, and North Carolina.
Organic Fruits & Vegetables
Organic Apples
[email protected]Organic Gala, Honeycrisp, Cosmic Crisp, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady apples are shipping out of Washington State. Overall, the organic apple crop is mirroring the conventional crop on quality and size. Organic Gala and organic Honeycrisp remain the tightest varieties.
Availability has tightened across most varieties recently, and this trend is expected to continue over the next month. Supplies are expected through the summer on most varieties. Imports from Argentina and Chile are still arriving at eastern U.S. ports in a light way and should help stabilize availability over the next month.
Organic Citrus
[email protected]The California organic citrus market is undergoing a pronounced summer transition, marked by a critical squeeze on lemons and a robust seasonal pivot to Valencia oranges. Overall, organic citrus continues to be a massive growth category, with sales surging 18.1% year-over-year as retail demand expands rapidly.
Organic Dry Vegetables
[email protected]The market for organic bell peppers and soft summer squash is stabilizing with excellent quality as seasonal crops successfully transition to summer production hubs. After navigating tighter spring supplies and elevated pricing, increased regional volume has arrived to ease costs and provide promotable opportunities on retail shelves
Organic Melons
[email protected]Good supplies of organic mini 6-count melons are available out of Patterson, California. Supplies are expected to continue until September.
Organic Onions
[email protected]The California organic dry onion market is experiencing a highly stable summer season with excellent crop quality and steady terminal pricing. Production has successfully transitioned out of the Southern California desert regions and is now heavily active in the San Joaquin Valley and Central California. Our onions coming from Hollister, California are looking great. Supply is strong on both red and yellow jumbo onions.
Organic Pears
[email protected]Low volumes of imported organic pears are currently shipping. Small volumes of organic Anjou and organic Bosc are arriving on the East Coast this week. New-crop organic Bartletts are expected to be available out of Washington State in August.
Organic Potatoes
[email protected]The California organic potato market is experiencing exceptional demand, robust volume, and steady summer pricing as fresh-run harvesting hits its peak. California continues to dominate the organic space, representing roughly 17% of the total U.S. organic potato market. Driven by a broader nationwide boom that has pushed potatoes to the number 6 top-selling organic produce item, the current season reflects strong retail momentum and clean field quality.
Organic Squash
[email protected]The dry vegetable market is currently transitioning. Mexico’s winter supply is winding down, forcing a reliance on escalating summer harvests across Central California and the mid-Atlantic. Organic bell peppers, hot peppers, and summer squash are moving into peak domestic volumes.
Organic Sweet Potatoes
[email protected]The California organic sweet potato market is experiencing a firm upward pricing trend as inventories tighten ahead of the upcoming late-summer harvest. California is the dominant player in this space, partnering with North Carolina to supply roughly 91% of all U.S. organic sweet potatoes. Due to the state’s dry summer climate and sandy riverbed soils, California shippers face fewer pest pressures, allowing them to grow organics far more reliably and profitably than other regions.
Transportation
REFRIGERATED TRUCKLOAD
East Coast United States
Refrigerated conditions along the East Coast vary from north to south. Catch-up shipments after Roadcheck Week and Memorial Day have moderated, with most lanes settling back into more typical seasonal patterns.
Capacity across the Southeast is tight, and remains sensitive to short-term demand spikes, particularly in produce-heavy corridors. Georgia particularly continues to experience tightening tied to residual produce movement, which can create pockets of elevated outbound pricing. Capacity is improving for outbound Northeast loads, while rates slowly begin to normalize as backlogs of freight are being worked through.
Execution dynamics continue to favor well-structured freight. Loads with consistent schedules, minimal handling requirements, and ample lead time are covered efficiently, while expedited or same-day tenders face more variability in both cost and available capacity. This reflects a market that is stable on the surface but still requires disciplined planning to avoid disruption.
As June progresses, East Coast markets are expected to remain bifurcated due to the seasonal harvest. Overall, capacity is available, but pricing and flexibility are becoming more critical to securing it, especially in Southeast produce markets and where there’s an imbalance in return freight.
Central United States
Refrigerated market conditions across the Mid-North have shown some easing following Roadcheck Week, with activity returning closer to seasonal norms. At this stage, no immediate large-scale disruptions are expected outside of typical holiday-driven surges, suggesting a more stable short-term environment across these lanes.
In contrast, Texas continues to experience elevated rates and tighter capacity conditions. Markets in the region remain highly competitive, driven by a combination of produce shipping, cross-border dynamics, and overall supply constraints. As a result, the market is operating with limited room for inefficiency.
Overall, Texas continues to be the most disrupted and elevated refrigerated market in the region on a year-over-year basis. While conditions elsewhere have begun to normalize, Texas remains a focal point for tight capacity, elevated pricing, and ongoing volatility—making it a key area for shippers to monitor as peak produce and beverage seasons progress.
Shipment characteristics are also playing a larger role in execution. Straight-through freight with minimal handling requirements is securing capacity more quickly, while shipments with added complexity—such as multiple pickups or deliveries—are seeing disproportionately higher costs and longer lead times to cover. This divergence is becoming more pronounced as carriers prioritize efficiency and asset utilization.
West Coast United States
Refrigerated market conditions across the West have largely mirrored trends seen in the Central region, with significant tightening observed through Roadcheck Week and the Memorial Day shipping cycle. During this period, many lanes experienced meaningful rate acceleration, with increases of 40% or more in some high-demand corridors.
While capacity remains accessible, execution has become increasingly dependent on planning and lead time. Loads that are prebooked with adequate notice continue to secure more favorable pricing and consistent coverage. In contrast, same-day tenders and recovery freight are encountering both elevated costs and limited carrier availability, reflecting a market that remains highly reactive to short-term demand spikes.
As June progresses, some modest easing from peak holiday pricing is expected. However, any downward movement is likely to be limited. Backlogs created during the recent surge are still working their way through the system, which is delaying meaningful cost normalization. This dynamic could push out any significant relief until after the July 4 shipping cycle, which typically begins to build momentum in the back half of June.
From a regional and commodity perspective, several key produce-driven factors continue to shape market conditions:
- Northern California is expected to remain elevated due to sustained and diversified produce volumes, keeping outbound refrigerated demand strong.
- Nogales, Arizona, continues to ramp up with watermelon season, further tightening capacity across key Southwest lanes
- Washington is entering cherry season in early June, which is expected to introduce Increased upward pressure on rates and longer dwell times as volumes build and facilities work through higher throughput.
Across most Western markets, capacity is technically available, but access is increasingly linked to price. In practical terms, trucks are available but often at a premium, particularly for short lead-time or high-demand freight. This dynamic is contributing to higher instances of route guide failure, as contract rates lag current market conditions and more freight is pushed into the spot market.
Overall, West Coast refrigerated conditions remain elevated and highly sensitive to both produce flows and short-term demand changes, with execution increasingly dependent on planning discipline and pricing flexibility.
GLOBAL UPDATES
OCEAN TRENDS - Global Ocean networks remain structurally constrained, driven by ongoing conflict in the Middle East rather than demand growth. Most major carriers continue to avoid the Red Sea/Suez Canal, routing Asia–Europe and Asia–U.S. East Coast services around the Cape of Good Hope, adding approximately 10–14 days transit time and absorbing effective vessel capacity. Tightened vessel cycles, elevated bunker costs, and persistent blank sailings are limiting schedule flexibility even as overall demand remains soft to stable post–Lunar New Year. Carriers continue to manage capacity actively, resulting in inconsistent space availability and shorter rate validity windows despite largely stable base rates. Reefer demand remains resilient, particularly from Latin America, with equipment imbalances persisting through peak produce season.
TARIFF IMPACTS - On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) provides no authority for imposing tariffs, voiding all IEEPA based tariffs as of February 24, 2026. The U.S. Government responded by imposing Section 122 tariffs which is a broad general 10% tariff on all USA imports with the exception of USMCA qualifying goods from Canada and Mexico, and the maintained “Tropical” produce exemption on produce not grown in substantial quantities in the USA (avocados, limes, mangos, pineapples, oranges, etc.). Section 301 Tariffs are anticipated – Robinson Fresh anticipates that, even after the Section 122 10% surcharge expires in late July 2026, U.S. tariff measures will likely continue, but in a more targeted, country-by-country form. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has already initiated multiple Section 301 investigations (trade reviews) covering numerous countries and unfair trade practices. These ongoing Section 301 reviews – including probes into areas like excess manufacturing capacity and forced labor policies across dozens of economies – are widely expected to culminate in new, long-term tariffs or other trade actions tailored to specific countries. In other words, a return to country-specific U.S. tariff rates is likely soon, potentially with higher rates (above 10%) on certain countries or products based on USTR’s findings.
DEMURRAGE/DETENTION CHARGES - Following a D.C. Circuit decision on September 23, 2025, the Federal Maritime Commission removed 46 CFR 541.4 (the "properly issued invoices" provision) from its Demurrage and Detention Billing Requirements. All other requirements remain in effect (invoice data elements, 30-day issuance deadline, and dispute windows).
REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE LANDSCAPE - FDA updated its General Food Labeling Compliance Program (CP 7321.005) to align inspections with current allergen and labeling rules. Separately, FSMA 204 (Food Traceability Rule) compliance was proposed to be extended and Congress directed FDA not to enforce the rule before July 20, 2028; however, many retailers are already requiring end-to-end traceability across broader product sets and faster timelines than FDA’s baseline.
ISPM-15 WOOD PACKAGING PROTOCOLS (UPDATED 2026) - Effective January 1, 2026, APHIS and CBP resumed full enforcement of the ISPM-15 hyphen requirement in the IPPC mark (hyphen between country code and producer code). No soft enforcement period was provided. Noncompliant WPM may be held, re-exported, or penalized.
EMERGENCY BUNKER SURCHARGE - Emergency bunker and fuel surcharges are now widely in effect across global container networks as carriers respond to extreme fuel price volatility and supply disruptions stemming from the Middle East conflict and ongoing instability around the Strait of Hormuz. While structures and terminology vary by carrier (EBS vs. EFS), the intent is consistent: recovery of incremental bunker costs not covered by standard BAF or fuel index mechanisms.
Although many carriers hold firm with their original EBS rates, there have been multiple carriers that have published upcoming decreased rates to take effect late June 2026.
For more global freight insights, please visit Global Freight Markets Insights | C.H. Robinson (https://www.chrobinson.com/en-us/resources/insights-and-advisories/global-forwarding-insights/)
Floral
Supply remains abundant. Retailers are running promotions to help growers move product, and air freight capacity remains strong out of both growing regions.