The ProduceIQ Index hit $1.33/lb for Week 42, up 5% over the prior week, as a brutal mix of weather events and seasonal transitions hammered major commodities. Round tomato prices surged 93% week-over-week — driven by rain slowing the transition to South Georgia in the East and wet weather curtailing West Coast production — with elevated prices expected for at least three more weeks. Romaine is up 66% with intense disease and insect pressure reducing yields to record-low levels, and green bean volume is described as "ludicrously low" as Mexico and Georgia growers struggle through the fall transition.
Hurricane Trudy's heavy rain over Mexico's west-central coast is layering additional risk onto commodities like tomatoes, avocados, and limes. Freight rates are running well above year-ago levels, compounding the pain for buyers who were already absorbing crop losses from California's October heat wave. The one bright spot: asparagus prices are finally easing, down 11% week-over-week as Mexican and Peruvian production ramps up.
Watch for further pressure on romaine and tomato programs over the next two to three weeks — tight supply appears structural, not just a blip. Worth monitoring how Hurricane Trudy's full impact on Mexico's west coast supply zones shakes out as reporting catches up.