North American produce markets are seeing significant divergence across key commodities this week. Mexican asparagus movement through Arizona, California, and Texas is expected to decrease, with Hurricane Polo halting harvesting that is only now resuming as fields dry. Many remaining shipments are already committed to prior contracts, leaving spot buyers with limited options. Peruvian asparagus through South Florida remains stable but light, with jumbo bunched cartons trading at $60.75–$62.75.
California strawberries are telling the opposite story. Trading has been slow, with prices falling sharply — Salinas-Watsonville flats of eight one-pound containers are mostly $6–$8, and some fruit is being diverted to freezers and processors. Meanwhile, Peruvian and Chilean blueberry imports through the East Coast are increasing seasonally, with conventional pricing slightly softer. Avocado movement from Mexico through Texas is described as fairly slow, with Hass two-layer cartons ranging from $21.25 to $40.25 depending on size.
The USDA data snapshot captures a market in transition: weather disruptions on one side compressing asparagus supply, while strawberry oversupply is severe enough to redirect product out of fresh channels entirely. Buyers building fall programs around either commodity should factor in these simultaneous pressures.