Fruit and Vegetable Markets Show Mixed September Trends

Produce markets are in transition as fall approaches, with leafy greens and berries under pressure, while vegetables like celery, broccoli, and cauliflower are finding firmer ground.

spring produce vegetables _ adobe stock.png

Adobe Stock

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Produce markets are seeing a wide mix of price movement this week, according to US Foods, with hardy vegetables holding firmer ground, while fruit markets are split.

Leaf lettuces, iceberg, strawberries, limes, pineapples, avocados, and honeydews are all trending lower. By contrast, celery, cauliflower, broccoli, green onions, lemons, oranges, green beans, jalapeños, Roma tomatoes, cantaloupes, and several apple varieties are moving higher on steady-to-good demand.

Potatoes remain mostly steady, though russets out of Idaho and reds out of Minnesota softened. Onions are mixed, with Washington and Oregon supplies holding firm while Idaho lots edged lower. Cabbage from New York and green beans from the Northeast are showing stronger markets.

In fruit, California citrus is climbing, especially lemons and oranges, while tropical imports like pineapples and avocados are weaker.

Tony’s Farm-Level Takeaway: Produce markets are in transition as fall approaches, with leafy greens and berries under pressure, while vegetables like celery, broccoli, and cauliflower are finding firmer ground. Fruit markets are split, with U.S. citrus gaining strength and tropical imports trending softer.

Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Laramie Sandquist discusses Nationwide Agribusiness’s commitment to grain bin safety initiatives, including providing life-saving equipment and training to fire departments across the country.
Brooks York with Agri-Sompo discusses how this year’s pricing period played out and what it could mean for farmers heading into the end of the season.
An import lag for ground beef will likely look different than last year’s egg shortage. The difference comes down to biosecurity and market flexibility.
China’s crusher losses and Brazil tensions, Gale warns, could reopen critical soybean trade channels for U.S. producers.
Persistently low Mississippi River levels are turning logistics challenges into pricing risks — tightening margins for grain producers and exporters across the heartland.
The WASDE/Crop Production combo will be the first full read on supply, demand, and yield that could move basis and hedging plans since the government shutdown more than a month ago.