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:

While the agriculture industry hoped details on proposed “bridge” payments for farmers would be released this week, Ag Secretary Brook Rollins said the USDA is still working with the White House on the finer points.
Federal lawyers submitted a brief this week backing Bayer’s argument that federal laws governing herbicides like Roundup should prevent lawsuits over the popular chemical.
China’s renewed purchases signal improving sorghum demand at a time when export markets are otherwise uneven. Meanwhile, agriculture groups across the U.S, Canada, and Mexico want to protect close trade relations.
The Environmental Protection Agency confirms that new single-fluorinated pesticides are not PFAS and remain fully compliant with current safety standards.
Strong demand supports sweet potatoes, but grading challenges and rising costs weigh on returns for Southeastern growers.
Pressure on grain storage capacity and stronger export positioning are pushing more grain onto railroads, highways, and river systems as logistics become a key bottleneck this fall.