Oil prices have climbed back above $100 a barrel as drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline and escalating Houthi activity in the Middle East threaten global energy supplies. For produce, that translates directly into higher fuel, transportation, and shipping costs at a time when margins are already thin. The ProduceIQ Index hit $1.26 per pound for week 37, up 3% over the prior week.

The pain isn't evenly distributed. Sweet potato prices swung from a 10-year low to a 10-year high in a single week as old crop nears end of life and new crop cures. Blueberry prices are up 58% week-over-week as the Northwest season ends and Peru ramps up. Cauliflower hit a 10-year high on heat and insect pressure. Grape-type tomato prices rose 35% in one week, driven by heat and rain damage in Southern growing regions.

Watch transportation costs closely over the next several weeks — if oil stays above $100, the freight premium will compound already elevated commodity prices heading into fall. Buyers sourcing from distant regions or relying on spot trucks will feel this most acutely.

Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. expanded a recall of frozen berries on September 2, 2026, covering Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend in 10 oz packages sold at Walmart stores. The affected lot code is 60401-6 with a Best By date of February 9, 2028. The recall now spans 26 states and Puerto Rico following a CDC-investigated multistate E. coli outbreak.

The affected states stretch from Alabama to Wisconsin, covering most of the Southeast, Midwest, and South Central U.S. The product was distributed exclusively through Walmart, giving retailers and buyers a clear distribution footprint to reference. Consumers are being advised to discard or return the product.

This is a separate event from the recently concluded cyclospora/iceberg lettuce outbreak, so buyer vigilance across the frozen berry category is worth maintaining. Worth monitoring whether the investigation expands to additional lot codes or SKUs as the CDC and FDA continue their work.

USDA retail ad data for week 37 shows white seedless grapes in 2 lb containers are priced 51% higher year-over-year — the largest commodity price jump in the weekly report. Honeydews and Bartlett pears are each up 23%, and cantaloupes are up 11%. On the flip side, Navel oranges (3 lb bags) are down 37%, blackberries are down 15%, and avocados are down 10%.

The grape pricing spike lines up with the broader California table grape situation: a challenging August, early-season supply tightness, and higher transportation costs are all compounding at retail. The timing is notable given the Rosh Hashanah and National Hispanic Heritage Month promotional windows this week, both of which drive concentrated demand for grapes and other key commodities.

For category managers building weekly ad programs, the divergence between grape and citrus pricing is a meaningful planning signal. Navel orange promotions may offer better value positioning this week, while grape promotional activity will likely require tighter margin management given where FOB prices are sitting.

Industry sources in Mexico and Peru are raising alarms about large volumes of Chinese garlic entering their markets through irregular channels, bypassing standard phytosanitary and customs controls. China accounts for roughly 80% of global garlic production, and according to sources, a significant share benefits from state support that artificially lowers costs, making it nearly impossible for Mexican or Peruvian growers to compete. Production costs in those countries typically run $15,000–$20,000 per hectare.

Beyond the price pressure, the food safety implications are serious. Irregularly imported Chinese garlic comes with no traceability and no verification of agrochemical use, irrigation conditions, or handling practices. Domestic Mexican and Peruvian garlic carries food safety certifications; the smuggled product does not. Sources say the garlic is entering Mexico through the same border routes used for other illicit goods, which is why many in the export sector are reluctant to speak on the record.

This issue has direct relevance for North American buyers sourcing garlic from Mexico. Watch for any increased regulatory scrutiny at U.S. ports of entry, and be aware that downward price pressure on Mexican garlic may be partly driven by this informal supply rather than legitimate market dynamics.

Mexico closed its latest blueberry export season at 72,900 tons of fresh fruit, up roughly 15% from the prior season, according to Aneberries general manager Juan José Flores. The jump was primarily driven by reduced domestic U.S. blueberry availability caused by weather problems in several producing states, which opened a larger window for Mexican supply. The previous two seasons had both come in below 65,000 tons.

Looking ahead, the sector is targeting more modest growth of around 5% for the coming season. With global blueberry supply expanding — Peru arriving early and heavy, Northwest domestic season winding down — Mexico is increasingly competing on quality, consistency, and food safety rather than market timing windows. Varietal renewal and production planning are becoming central to the industry's strategy.

This is worth watching for buyers building blueberry programs that span multiple origins. As overall global supply grows, Mexico's ability to deliver consistent premium fruit will matter more than simply filling timing gaps. Any overlap with Peruvian arrivals in key weeks could compress pricing for both origins.

New crop onions across the U.S. and Canada are described as strong, with growers putting a good harvest into storage, though acreage is down from last year's oversupplied season. Demand is holding up well — onions offer clear value relative to other produce, and more consumers cooking at home is boosting consumption. Current pricing is described as excellent and providing adequate grower returns after last year's disastrous lows.

The complicating factor is transportation. Driver shortages and high fuel prices are making onion movement difficult, and with oil now above $100 a barrel, those fuel costs are heading higher. In the East, plentiful rains during the growing season raise questions about late-harvest quality that won't be answered until those onions are pulled and stored.

For buyers managing onion supply through winter and spring, the combination of adequate storage volumes and transportation friction is worth monitoring. Any spike in freight costs or further tightening of truck availability could create localized shortages even when overall supply is sufficient.