05/30/2026
📊 ROBERTSON PRODUCE MARKET REPORT
Week of May 30, 2026
As we move into June, produce and protein markets continue to be heavily influenced by weather, seasonal transitions, tight supplies, and transportation costs. While several commodities are beginning to improve, others remain under significant pressure.
🥑 AVOCADOS REMAIN THE BIGGEST MARKET CONCERN
The avocado market has reached critical levels as major suppliers have declared Force Majeure due to ongoing supply shortages in Mexico. Harvest volumes remain below demand, and pricing continues to increase rapidly. Additional volume from California, Colombia, and Peru is expected to provide some relief later in June, but customers should continue to expect elevated markets and potential supply challenges in the near term.
🥬 LETTUCE MARKETS REMAIN EXTREMELY TIGHT
Rain and disease pressure in California’s Salinas Valley continue to impact production and harvesting schedules. Romaine, Romaine Hearts, Green Leaf, Red Leaf, Butter Lettuce, Celery, and several specialty vegetable categories remain under pressure with prorates and elevated pricing common throughout the industry.
The most challenged items currently include:
• Romaine Lettuce
• Green Leaf Lettuce
• Red Leaf Lettuce
• Brussels Sprouts
• Artichokes
• Celery
• Fennel
• Kale
• Carrots
🍅 TOMATO MARKETS SHOWING IMPROVEMENT
After several weeks of elevated pricing, tomato supplies are improving as production increases throughout Mexico while Florida, Georgia, and other East Coast growing regions continue to ramp up. Markets are beginning to stabilize and availability continues to improve heading into June.
🧄 GARLIC TRANSITION UNDERWAY
The domestic garlic season is nearing completion and the industry is preparing for its annual transition to imported Mexican garlic while waiting on the new California crop. Current forecasts indicate this transition period should last approximately five weeks beginning in late June. Supplies are expected to remain available, although some market volatility and country-of-origin changes may occur during the transition.
🍓 BERRIES AND MELONS OFFER POSITIVE NEWS
Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, watermelons, cantaloupes, and honeydews continue to improve as California and Arizona production increases. Summer fruit availability continues to build and quality remains strong across most categories.
🍋 CITRUS AND LIMES REMAIN ACTIVE
Lime supplies are improving, but larger fruit sizes remain difficult to source. Similar challenges continue across lemons, oranges, mandarins, and specialty citrus, where smaller foodservice-preferred sizes remain limited. Customers should remain flexible on sizing as the market works through these supply challenges.
🥔 ONIONS, POTATOES & SWEET POTATOES
Onion supplies continue to improve as California and New Mexico harvests expand. Potato supplies remain stable, although larger counts are becoming tighter as the industry manages inventories ahead of new crop production. Sweet potatoes continue to experience tightening supplies as the industry works through remaining storage inventories before new crop harvest begins later this summer.
🥩 PROTEIN MARKET UPDATE
Beef markets remain historically high due to continued cattle shortages across the United States. While some grilling cuts have softened slightly following Memorial Day demand, overall beef pricing remains elevated and supplies remain tight.
Pork markets remain considerably more stable. Strong demand for butts, loins, and hams continues to support the market heading into summer grilling season, while bellies remain the most volatile category.
🚚 FREIGHT & TRANSPORTATION
Transportation costs continue to place upward pressure on food costs nationwide. Limited truck availability, elevated fuel prices, and increasing freight surcharges continue to impact delivered produce and protein costs across the supply chain.
🔎 ROBERTSON PRODUCE OUTLOOK
The overall market picture heading into June remains mixed.
Improving:
✅ Tomatoes
✅ Berries
✅ Watermelons
✅ Melons
✅ Onions
Watch Closely:
⚠️ Avocados
⚠️ Romaine & Leaf Lettuce
⚠️ Brussels Sprouts
⚠️ Celery
⚠️ Garlic Transition
⚠️ Citrus Sizing
⚠️ Freight Costs
Robertson Produce continues to work closely with growers, suppliers, and transportation partners to ensure the highest level of service possible while navigating changing market conditions. We appreciate the trust our customers place in us and will continue providing timely market updates as conditions evolve.
