SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
MARKET REPORT
FRUIT | VEGETABLES | EGGS | DAIRY
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2026
Southern California Produce Market Update
California’s late-season transition continues to affect several key commodities. Lettuce, broccoli, broccolini, cauliflower, asparagus, and squash require the most attention this week as reduced yields, pest pressure, and seasonal growing-region changes affect availability. Citrus sizing remains a consideration, while new-crop apples continue to build, California grapes remain a strong seasonal item, and fall pear production is underway.
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MARKET HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
Iceberg lettuce, broccoli, broccolini, cauliflower, asparagus, and squash are among the commodities requiring the closest attention this week. Pest and disease pressure continues to reduce yields in the Salinas and Santa Maria regions. Small oranges and larger limes remain limited, while California table grapes continue to show strong seasonal quality. Fall growing-region transitions will become increasingly important as the industry moves into October.
SEASONAL PICKS THIS WEEK
SEASONAL FRUITS
Apples • California Grapes • Pears • Persimmons • Pomegranates
SEASONAL VEGETABLES
Bell Peppers • Tomatoes • Eggplant • Squash • Sweet Potatoes
FRUIT
Apples
New Crop — Washington / California
Availability: Improving | Quality: Good
New-crop harvest continues to build. Gala and Honeycrisp are underway, with Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, and Fuji transitioning into new-crop production.
Avocados
Mexico / California / Peru
Availability: Good | Quality: Good
Mexican production remains the primary source as California and Peru volumes decline seasonally. Smaller sizes are somewhat tighter, while overall supplies remain available.
Bananas
Imported
Availability: Good | Quality: Good
Current availability remains adequate with good overall quality. Longer-term production continues to be monitored as growing regions manage seasonal yield and disease pressure.
Blueberries
Pacific Northwest / Peru
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
Domestic Pacific Northwest production is declining as the season winds down. Peruvian volume is increasing and supporting the transition toward imported supplies.
Cantaloupe
Central California
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
Central California production continues as the Westside season winds down. Cooler weather and lower yields are reducing volume ahead of the fall growing-region transition.
California Grapes
California Season
Availability: Good | Quality: Excellent
California table-grape quality remains strong. Green varieties are beginning to tighten as some shippers approach the end of harvest, while red grape availability remains comparatively steady.
Honeydew
Central California
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
Domestic production continues from Central California as the Westside season winds down. Availability varies by size as the market approaches its fall transition.
Lemons
California
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
Overall supplies remain relatively steady, but smaller fruit continues to be limited. California production remains active as the industry transitions toward new-season supplies.
Limes
Mexico
Availability: Tight | Quality: Variable
Mexican lime supplies remain tight as production transitions between growing regions. Larger fruit is especially limited, while current production continues to favor smaller sizes.
Oranges
California Valencia
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
California Valencia production is winding down and continues to favor larger fruit. Small sizes remain particularly limited as the industry prepares for the upcoming California Navel season.
Pears
New Crop — Washington / California
Availability: Good | Quality: Good
New-crop Washington Bartletts are available as California Bartlett production winds down. Washington Anjou production is also beginning in lighter volume.
Pineapples
Imported
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
Supplies are tightening during the seasonal production cycle. Contract programs remain supported, while open-market availability is more limited. Overall quality remains good.
Strawberries
California
Availability: Tight | Quality: Variable
California production remains in transition. Salinas and Watsonville volume is declining while production increasingly shifts toward Santa Maria and Oxnard. Softness, bruising, and shorter shelf life can occur, making proper cold-chain handling important.
Watermelon
California / Mexico
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
Seasonal demand and domestic supplies are beginning to ease. California and Mexico continue to contribute volume, with additional Mexican production expected as the industry moves into October.
Stone Fruit
California — Late Season
Availability: Limited | Quality: Good
California peach harvest is nearly finished and nectarine production has largely concluded. Late-season plums remain the strongest domestic stone-fruit option.
VEGETABLES
Asparagus
Mexico / Peru
Availability: Very Tight | Quality: Variable
Availability remains very tight. Mexican production continues to be constrained by weather and lower yields, while Peruvian production is gradually improving. Larger sizes remain particularly challenging.
Bell Peppers
California / Mexico
Availability: Good | Quality: Good
Western supplies remain steady. California green bell production continues, while colored peppers maintain generally good availability and quality.
Broccoli
Salinas / Santa Maria
Availability: Tight | Quality: Variable
Supplies have tightened significantly. Insect pressure, pin rot, and reduced yields are affecting California production, with discoloration, uneven sizing, and hollow core possible in some lots.
Broccolini
California
Availability: Very Tight | Quality: Good
Supplies are extremely limited. Elevated insect pressure and low yields continue to constrain availability, although overall product quality remains good.
Brussels Sprouts
California / Mexico
Availability: Tight | Quality: Variable
Supplies remain tight as insect pressure reduces yields and availability. Demand is increasing as the industry moves further into fall.
Cabbage
California / Regional
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
Green cabbage availability has tightened. Recent heat and increasing insect pressure have reduced yields in some production areas, while overall quality remains generally good.
Carrots
California
Availability: Strong | Quality: Good
Availability remains strong with good overall quality as production moves through California growing regions.
Cauliflower
Salinas / Santa Maria
Availability: Very Tight | Quality: Variable
Supplies remain extremely tight. Production gaps and heavy insect pressure are reducing yields, particularly in South County and Santa Maria.
Celery
California
Availability: Good | Quality: Good
Availability remains good across major California growing regions and overall quality remains strong. Seasonal disease pressure continues to be monitored.
Cucumbers
California / Mexico
Availability: Improving | Quality: Good
Western availability has improved as Mexican crossings and regional production support supplies. Overall quality remains good.
Eggplant
California
Availability: Good | Quality: Good
Central Valley supplies remain steady with good overall quality as other regional programs begin their seasonal decline.
Green Leaf Lettuce
Salinas / Santa Maria
Availability: Tight | Quality: Variable
Availability remains below normal as late-season pest and disease pressure continues. Quality varies by lot, with field-related defects being monitored.
Iceberg Lettuce
Salinas / Santa Maria
Availability: Tight | Quality: Variable
Iceberg remains one of the most challenged commodities this week. Reduced yields, disease, and insect pressure continue to limit availability. Quality ranges from fair to good, with lower weights and field-related defects possible.
Romaine Lettuce
Salinas / Santa Maria
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Variable
Romaine availability is better than iceberg, but end-of-season disease and insect pressure continues across California production. Quality varies by lot.
Squash
California / Mexico / Regional
Availability: Tight | Quality: Good
Supplies remain tight, particularly on yellow squash. Zucchini availability has improved somewhat, and additional fall production is expected to provide gradual relief.
Tomatoes
California / Mexico
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
California round and Roma production remains relatively steady, although larger round tomatoes are more limited. Mexican Roma production remains available while grape and cherry tomatoes are tighter during the seasonal transition.
Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes
Idaho / Washington / California / Southeast
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
New-crop potato production is underway. Larger russet sizes remain tighter while Washington quality is strong. Sweet potato supplies are transitioning as growers harvest and cure the new crop.
EGGS
Shell Eggs — Availability: Varies by Size & Specification
Foodservice egg programs remain available, with availability varying by size and specification. Advance planning remains helpful for larger-volume requirements.
DAIRY
Milk & Cream:
Regular foodservice milk and cream programs remain available.
Regular foodservice milk and cream programs remain available.
Cheese:
Availability remains dependable across common foodservice cheese varieties.
Availability remains dependable across common foodservice cheese varieties.
Butter:
Foodservice butter supplies remain available as seasonal fall demand builds.
Foodservice butter supplies remain available as seasonal fall demand builds.
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