Bell peppers are seeing an abundance of supply right now for shipping.
Maui Fresh International LLC of Los Angeles reports colored bells are especially abundant. The company’s main commodity is bell peppers which it ships from throughout the U.S. as well as Mexico, Canada and the Netherlands.
This follows a winter that saw more limited supply due to not only freezing temperatures in Florida which affected that crop, but also a hot winter in Mexico.
As for this season, mild weather has contributed to a later start in regions such as Coachella. Additionally, the Canadian bell pepper season also saw a delayed start.
The delays were caused by overcast and rainy conditions, and now product is producing at the same time.
In California, Maui Fresh has production from Coachella, Bakersfield as well as Oxnard and Santa Maria.
Meanwhile demand continues to be steady. Pepper consumption generally stays even throughout the year with fixed contracting for top items such as choice greens and reds in foodservice and bagged peppers at retail.