SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
MARKET REPORT
FRUIT | VEGETABLES | EGGS | DAIRY
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
Southern California Produce Market Update
Southern California Produce Market Update
This week’s produce market is being shaped by high temperatures along California’s Central Coast, seasonal growing-region transitions, and changing late-summer supplies. PSLA continues to monitor quality and availability to help foodservice operations plan ahead.
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MARKET HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
Central Coast heat is increasing pressure on several California crops. Strawberries, asparagus, cauliflower and selected leafy vegetables require particular attention. California grapes remain a strong seasonal item, while late-summer growing transitions continue across berries, melons, citrus and several vegetable categories.
SEASONAL PICKS THIS WEEK
SEASONAL FRUITS
California Grapes • Apples • Pears • Cantaloupe • Honeydew
SEASONAL VEGETABLES
Bell Peppers • Eggplant • Celery • Cauliflower • Tomatoes
FRUIT
Apples
New Crop
Availability: Mixed | Quality: Good
New-crop varieties continue to build. Gala and Honeycrisp offer improving availability, while selected varieties and sizes remain tighter as school demand continues.
Avocados
Late Season
Availability: Good | Quality: Good
Overall supplies remain dependable. California and Peru are winding down, with larger fruit requiring additional planning in some cases.
Bananas
Year-Round
Availability: Good | Quality: Good
Supply remains generally steady for normal foodservice requirements.
Blackberries
Transition
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
Supplies remain worth watching as seasonal production shifts and Mexico volume develops.
Blueberries
Import Transition
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
Pacific Northwest production is finishing while Peru and Mexico continue building volume.
Raspberries
Mexico / California
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
Availability is somewhat limited during the seasonal transition. Maintain reasonable lead time.
Strawberries
California
Availability: Tight | Quality: Variable
Strawberries remain one of the most challenged fruit items. Heat, smaller fruit and bruising are affecting shelf life while demand continues to exceed available supply.
Grapes
California Season
Availability: Strong | Quality: Excellent
California red and green seedless grapes remain a strong seasonal choice with good volume and quality.
Lemons
California
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
California remains the primary supply region. Selected sizes may require flexibility as the season progresses.
Limes
Mexico
Availability: Tight | Quality: Variable
Good-quality fruit remains limited. New-crop volume should gradually improve quality, but flexibility remains important.
Oranges
Valencia
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
California Valencia production is weighted toward larger fruit. Smaller sizes remain tighter as the season advances.
Pears
New Crop
Availability: Good | Quality: Good
New-crop supplies are available with good seasonal quality and improving variety.
Pineapples
Year-Round
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
Supplies are available for normal programs, though open-market volume can fluctuate. Advance ordering remains helpful.
Cantaloupe
Central California
Availability: Good | Quality: Good
Central California production remains active, with good seasonal fruit available as the domestic season moves forward.
Honeydew
Central California
Availability: Good | Quality: Good
Westside production continues with generally steady supply and good sizing.
Watermelon
Late Summer
Availability: Good | Quality: Good
Demand remains steady as late-summer production continues. Selected packs may be more limited.
VEGETABLES
Asparagus
Mexico / Peru
Availability: Tight | Quality: Variable
Asparagus remains one of the tighter items. Mexican supply is limited and weather continues to affect production. Allow additional lead time.
Artichokes
California
Availability: Tight | Quality: Variable
Availability is limited this week. Plan ahead for foodservice needs and remain flexible on sizing.
Bell Peppers
California
Availability: Good | Quality: Good
California production remains a dependable seasonal source across common colors and sizes.
Broccoli
Central Coast
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Variable
Supplies remain under pressure as heat and insect activity affect Central Coast fields. Quality can vary by lot.
Brussels Sprouts
California
Availability: Tight | Quality: Variable
Insect pressure and warm conditions are affecting harvestable yields. Lead time is recommended.
Cabbage
California
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Variable
Heat and insect pressure are creating some variability in supply and finished quality.
Cauliflower
Central Coast
Availability: Tight | Quality: Variable
Cauliflower is particularly tight. Central Coast heat and insect pressure are reducing usable volume.
Celery
California
Availability: Good | Quality: Good
Supplies remain generally steady from California growing regions with good overall quality.
Cucumbers
Baja / Mexico
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
Baja production remains lighter following weather pressure. Mainland Mexico volume should improve as the season develops.
Eggplant
California
Availability: Good | Quality: Good
California production remains active with generally good quality and dependable supply.
Green Onions
Mexico
Availability: Tight | Quality: Good
Warmer weather and recent growing conditions have reduced yields. Allow additional lead time.
Iceberg Lettuce
Salinas
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Variable
Heat, disease and insect pressure are affecting yields and case weights. Internal burn and other quality concerns may appear in some lots.
Romaine
Salinas
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Variable
Internal burn, disease and insect activity continue to affect quality. Higher temperatures may shorten shelf life.
Spinach & Tender Leaf
Central Coast
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Variable
Warm temperatures are increasing bolting, yellowing and insect pressure, with shorter shelf-life potential on some product.
Potatoes
New Crop
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
New-crop production is underway. Selected larger sizes remain tighter, so advance planning is recommended.
Squash
California / Baja
Availability: Tight | Quality: Good
California and Baja supplies remain lighter, especially on yellow squash. Growing-region transitions continue.
Tomatoes
California / Mexico
Availability: Moderate | Quality: Good
Overall availability is tightening as regional production changes. California remains an important source while Mexico continues supplying several varieties.
EGGS
Shell Eggs — Availability: Strong | Quality: Good
Egg production remains strong with ample overall supply heading through September.
DAIRY
Milk & Cream: Good overall availability as milk production remains strong.
Cheese: Good availability with ample milk supporting production.
Butter: Good availability as strong milk and cream supplies support production.
Cheese: Good availability with ample milk supporting production.
Butter: Good availability as strong milk and cream supplies support production.
How Does Your Current Produce Program Compare?
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