2026 Q3 Market Update

El Niño

El Niño is expected to remain a major market driver over the coming months. The climate pattern typically causes drought across Pacific-growing regions and excessive rainfall in South America, creating uncertainty for crop yields.

Because its strongest effects are often felt after it reaches peak intensity late in the year, commodities such as coconut, pineapple, and rice will remain closely monitored

 

 

Ocean Freight Rates

Ocean freight markets continue to tighten, with rates nearly doubling over the past two months as limited capacity, robust peak-season demand, and higher fuel prices place upward pressure on transportation costs.

 

Peppers & Artichokes

Weather remains the primary factor to monitor heading into harvest. There is some concern that the developing El Niño weather pattern could impact pepper and artichoke crops in Peru.

While suppliers have implemented preventive measures to help reduce potential risks and current forecasts continue to indicate normal yields, final crop conditions will not be confirmed until harvest is complete.

Assuming there are no major weather disruptions, the pepper harvest is expected to conclude by October, followed by the artichoke harvest in December.

 

Peaches

The global peach market is seeing mixed trends across key sourcing regions.

In China, favorable growing conditions and a strong harvest, coupled with softer domestic demand, have created ample supply, softening market pricing.

In Greece, yields are also strong, but ongoing geopolitical pressures are increasing production and export costs, resulting in firmer pricing. Across both origins, increasing ocean freight rates and ongoing volatility in import duty policies continue to influence total landed costs and should be monitored closely when planning future purchases.

 

Apricot

The apricot market continues to face upward pricing pressure as adverse weather, a stronger domestic market, and unfavorable exchange rates reshape supply dynamics. Together, these factors have pushed prices upward.

 

Lychee

The lychee market is facing significant supply challenges as relentless rainfall across China disrupts harvest operations. With many orchards inaccessible due to waterlogged fields, this year’s crop is expected to be nearly 50% lower than last year’s. The sharp decline in available supply is anticipated to increase costs, placing considerable upward pressure on the market.

 

Pickled Peppers

The ongoing conflict in Iran continues to create upward cost pressure for our pickled peppers. However, supplier negotiations have successfully mitigated these impacts, allowing pricing to remain unchanged for the time being.

 

Sundried Tomatoes

Market conditions for Turkish sun-dried tomatoes remain firm. While crop yields are in line with expectations, ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and economic instability in Turkey continue to put upward pressure on production and export costs. Please note that ocean freight and import duty rates remain volatile and may further impact costs.

 

Lemon Juice

The lemon juice market continues to strengthen as robust global demand for Argentine lemon juice concentrate outpaces available supply. This tightening market is placing upward pressure on prices, with buyers facing increasingly firm cost conditions.