Cauliflower average prices surged 102% in a single week, hitting a 10-year high with no sign of easing soon. A lethal outbreak of Diamondback Moth in California — fueled by hot, humid conditions — is hammering yields and sending prices sharply higher. The broader ProduceIQ Index was also up 6% week-over-week as heat and humidity continue stressing crops across California and Mexico.
Asparagus is in a similar spot, also sitting at a 10-year price high due to extremely limited supply, with relief not expected until late September at the earliest. Green onions are above average too, hit by heavy rain and triple-digit temperatures in Mexico reducing yields and shelf life. On the other end, cucumbers are near a 10-year low for this week of the season, with stable supply from both coasts keeping prices in check.
Watch cauliflower closely over the next few weeks — the pest pressure driving this spike doesn't resolve quickly, and buyers may want to explore contingency sourcing or consider promotional flexibility. El Niño strengthening in the background adds another layer of uncertainty for fall weather across key growing regions.