Spokane Produce

October 21, 2026

Market News

After several weeks of heat, the West Coast is getting a change in the
weather. Rain is moving through California’s growing regions this week, with
the heaviest totals focused farther south. Salinas will see showers, while
Santa Maria and Oxnard are taking on more meaningful rainfall. That creates
another challenge for crops already trying to finish out a long season.
Lettuce remains high on the watch list. Iceberg, romaine and especially
green leaf are still dealing with disease pressure, lower yields, inconsistent
weights and tighter supplies as the Salinas season winds down. Huron is
helping add volume and quality there has been encouraging, but the market
remains firm as the industry works toward full desert production.
Berries are where this week’s rain is being felt the fastest.
Strawberries were already slow to recover from the recent heat. California
volumes are down across all growing regions, Santa Maria is moving into its
normal seasonal decline, and Oxnard is producing smaller fruit with lighter
yields after heat-related crop damage.
Now rain is adding another layer of pressure. Wet weather is slowing
harvests and increasing bruising, softness, decay and other quality
concerns. Santa Maria and Oxnard are the areas taking the biggest hit over
the next several days. Supplies remain limited, markets are elevated, and
shippers are focused on covering contracts and existing commitments.
Mexico is not providing much relief yet either. Recent hurricane-related rains
in Central Mexico and Baja have reduced crossings and tightened availability
on strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. That lighter supply picture will
continue over the next couple of weeks.
The good news this week is citrus.
New-crop California Navels are officially underway, and the early size profile
is exactly what foodservice has been waiting for. Initial supplies are favoring
88ct and smaller, which have been some of the hardest sizes to find through
the back end of the Valencia season.
Volume is building now and will continue increasing over the next three to
four weeks. As more Navels come online, availability on smaller fruit will
improve and pricing is easing.
After months of fighting for small oranges, the early Navel crop is a welcome
change. For schools, grab-and-go, fresh-cut and other foodservice programs,
these sizes are becoming much more promotable as volume builds.

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