Fresh produce markets showed diverging trends this week, with tomatoes, green bell peppers, blueberries, and Peruvian asparagus all posting higher prices. Meanwhile, strawberries, avocados, and cucumbers faced downward pressure from seasonal supply shifts and slower trading activity.
The tomato strengthening comes as supply tightens from key growing regions, while strawberry softness reflects the ongoing flush out of Salinas — a market that's been struggling to find demand at volume. The mix of winners and losers this week is a useful snapshot of where seasonal transitions are creating real pricing volatility across categories.
Buyers managing multi-commodity programs should watch the tomato market closely for continued upside, while strawberry promotions may be worth accelerating before the window closes on peak Salinas supply.