U.S. domestic blueberry production is showing robust national supply as harvest activity shifts toward the Pacific Northwest, according to Agronometrics data. Weather-related setbacks in the Southeast created regional challenges, but overall production trends have remained strong through the transition.

This is a meaningful signal for buyers navigating a category that has seen significant investment and expansion in recent years. The Pacific Northwest handoff is a critical window — if volumes hold, it should support promotional activity heading into late summer and early fall.

With Peruvian blueberry imports also ramping up mid-August via Oppy and others, the category could see solid supply overlap that creates pricing pressure. Category managers should watch volume and pricing trends closely over the next four to six weeks.

The earthquake that struck western Colombia recently has left significant human impact in Valle del Cauca, but according to an exporter who traveled through the affected area, the avocado export sector appears to have escaped the worst of the structural damage — at least in the immediate aftermath. The account provides early ground-level visibility into a growing export region.

Colombia has been emerging as a meaningful Hass avocado source for North American buyers, particularly as Michoacán supply has faced scrutiny. A 7.4-magnitude earthquake in the Colombian avocado heartland was covered as a breaking story earlier this month, and this is the first concrete on-the-ground assessment of actual crop and infrastructure damage.

The situation remains worth monitoring — early damage assessments can shift as growers access more remote areas and post-harvest effects become clearer. Buyers with Colombian sourcing should stay in close contact with suppliers over the next few weeks.

U.S. avocado inspection operations in Michoacán have resumed following a suspension, with Ambassador Ron Johnson confirming that while work has restarted, permanent security monitoring will remain in place going forward.

This is a concrete development in one of the most-watched supply stories of the summer. The shutdown sent shockwaves through the avocado supply chain, with Mexican exports to the U.S. running 35% above year-ago levels before the halt. Resumption removes the most acute near-term supply risk, but the new permanent security oversight signals this situation isn't fully resolved.

Watch for how the trade responds to the monitoring requirement — California growers have already been pushing for USMCA-level import restrictions, and any further incidents in Michoacán could reignite that conversation fast.

C&S Wholesale Grocers has announced a proposed transaction to become the majority owner of The Winn-Dixie Company, with the deal expected to finalize in early 2027. Winn-Dixie operates across the Southeast U.S., a key region for produce buyers serving that geography.

This is a significant ownership shift for one of the larger grocery chains in the South. C&S is primarily known as a wholesale distributor, making this a notable move into direct retail ownership. Changes in ownership at this scale typically trigger resets in supplier relationships, category priorities, and promotional strategy.

Worth monitoring how produce programs at Winn-Dixie stores evolve leading up to and following the close — category managers and salespeople with exposure to Southeast retail should keep this on their radar heading into 2027.

Industry sources say lettuce demand has become more stable in recent weeks, a notable shift after the Cyclospora outbreak hammered the category. Valerie Terrault of Gen V, a hydroponic lettuce and vegetable grower, described the situation as settling down compared to the peak of the crisis.

The Cyclospora outbreak drove consumers away from all lettuce — not just implicated product — and prompted Sysco to reroute iceberg sourcing away from Mexico. Growers in some regions were plowing under unsold crops. Any stabilization in demand is significant for a category that took one of the hardest hits of the summer.

This is a situation worth continuing to watch — consumer confidence in the category is rebuilding, but the speed of recovery at retail and foodservice will vary. Buyers reengaging with lettuce programs should monitor sell-through closely before committing to volume increases.

Wildfires and falling ash are damaging fruit production in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley, with orchardist and BC Fruit Growers' Association president Deep Brar reporting that peaches are rotting on trees. Drought conditions were already pressuring growers before the fires moved in, and pears were noted as the next crop at risk.

The Okanagan is a critical stone and tree fruit region for Western Canada and portions of the Pacific Northwest supply chain. This compounds an already difficult summer — wildfires had previously forced evacuations through BC's cherry country, and drought stress was a factor even before the smoke arrived.

Buyers sourcing BC peaches or pears this fall should watch for tighter availability and potential quality issues as the full extent of ash damage becomes clearer in the coming weeks.