January 13, 2025

Weekly Market Report

Alright, we’re back. After a few short-and-sweet holiday editions to wrap up 2025, we’re officially back to our regularly scheduled Market Report.

Before we dive in, we just want to say thanks, seriously. To our chefs and partners who made 2025 such a standout year, we couldn’t do this without you. Thanks for trusting us with your menus, rolling with the punches, and growing alongside us.

And now we’re kicking off 2026 — Bondi’s 50th year. Pretty wild. We’re feeling equal parts grateful and excited as we look back at where this all started and ahead to what’s coming next.

Okay, enough of the sentimental stuff. Let’s get into this week’s highlights...

THE TL;DR VERSION

Market At A Glance:

🔺Tight & elevated: Leafy greens, herbs, celery, carrots, green onions, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, limes, tomatillos, artichokes, snow & snap peas, and asparagus remain elevated due to weather-driven supply pressure and ongoing prorates.
🔻Easing: Table grapes are starting to ease as South American volume builds; broccoli is also trending down, though still elevated in some areas.
➡️ Transitioning: Avocados, melons, pineapples, bananas, lettuce, and romaine remain in transition as post-holiday harvests ramp up and regions shift.
✅ Peaking: Citrus continues to shine, with strong quality on lemons, navels (larger sizes), Cara Caras, mandarins, grapefruit, and red table grapes.
⚠️ Price Watch:
• Bananas: Expect increases over the coming months as markets remain firm.
• Avocados: Pricing is climbing ahead of Super Bowl demand, with weekly increases expected into late spring.

📈 What’s Up?: Prices are up on strawberries, select tomatoes, zucchini, limes, carrots, Chinese peeled garlic, and grass-fed butter due to weather impacts, tight supply, and higher production and freight costs.

📉 What's Down?: Prices are down on Brussels sprouts, raspberries, okra, bell peppers, baby bok choy tips, and red sprout sorrel due to improved availability, seasonal production increases, European imports, and easing freight costs.

🍈 New Arrivals: Dinosaur melons are new this week! We're continuing to add some fun melon varieties to our catalogue.

🟥 Red Flags: Full details and a few shorts from last week of note below.

🎉 50 Years of Bondi: From the archives...a look back at where it all started.

🍋 Samples Available From Black River Juice: Local, clean juice built for breakfast programs and grab-and-go. Ask your rep for a sample pack containing all 4 flavours we carry!

🌀 Pantry Pick of the Week: Barbet! An elevated non-alcoholic option for Dry January and beyond.

Market Recap

What's Up, What's Down

📈Price Increases📈

These items have surged in price this week:

STRAWBERRIES (3346) - Quality issues out of both Mexico and Florida are putting a premium on higher-grade fruit in the short term.
ZUCCHINI - GREEN FANCY + YELLOW - (5490 & 3551) - Mexico growers moved off older crops early and into lower-yielding new plantings, tightening supply and pushing prices higher.
CAMPARI TOMATOES (4738) - U.S. and Mexican greenhouse production remains light, with Mexico still slow to catch up to current demand.
GRASS-FED SALTED BUTTER (6052) - Increased production costs have resulted in a price increase.
KUMATO TOMATOES (2477) - Premium, top-grade product is in short supply, with limited yields available.
PEELED CHINESE GARLIC (2531) - Delayed container arrivals have tightened the market, with pricing expected to remain elevated through January.
HOT HOUSE + CLUSTER + GRAPE TOMATOES (7381, 7382 & 4254) - U.S. and Mexican greenhouse yields remain light, with Mexico still slow to catch up to demand.
LIMES (2720) - Rainy weather is causing quality issues and limiting good-quality supply, with new crops expected to start next week.
CARROTS (2262) - Local crops are gradually winding down, and pricing is expected to continue climbing.

📉Price Drops📉

These items have dropped in price this week:

BRUSSELS SPROUTS (2225) - European imports have begun to help offset cost pressures caused by tight supply out of the U.S. and Mexico.
RASPBERRIES (3227) - We’re beginning to see stronger-quality fruit coming out of Mexico.
OKRA (2844) - Availability from Nicaragua has improved, bringing market prices down.
ORANGE, RED & YELLOW BELL PEPPERS (3000, 3007 & 3028) - Mexican pepper crops are entering a heavy production phase, which is typical for this time of year, and prices are expected to remain low for the next month.
BABY BOK CHOY TIPS (6628) - The Mexican season is now underway, with improved yields and better quality available on bok choy.
RED SPROUT SORREL - CUT - (4435) - Decrease in freight is bringing pricing down.

This Just In!

🍈New Arrivals🍈

Dinosaur Melon | Code 6965

Pale green, crisp, and lightly sweet. Think honeydew, but a little less sweet so it plays nicely on both the sweet and savoury side of the menu.

It holds up well once cut, making it an easy add for breakfast spreads, fruit salads, light desserts, or shaved into salads with citrus, herbs, and a good glug of olive oil. Bonus: it keeps longer than most melons.

A low-stress, low-waste winter melon that’s worth keeping on your radar. Listed now!

YES, PLEASE DINO MELON ME

Sample 4-Packs Available

Black River Juice

Pressed in Ontario with no additives or preservatives, Black River Juice is all about clean, straightforward flavour. Great for breakfast service, brunch cocktails, or grab-and-go.

It comes in glass bottles (because flavour matters), and they look good in fridges and on counters and shelves too (yes, they're shelf stable!). An easy upgrade for cafés, hotels, and restaurants running any kind of breakfast program.

We’ve got sample 4-packs with all the flavours we carry available now! Just let your rep know you'd like one and we’ll add a pack to your next order.

Supply Watch!

🚩Last Week's Shortages🚩

Last Week's Shorts:

Shiitake Mushrooms | 2786 — High demand combined with lower supply from a slow production week tightened availability, but product is now readily in stock.
Jumbo Yam | 3476 — Despite late arrivals, supply is now in good shape.
Fuyu Persimmons | 3841 — Poor quality has resulted in short supplies.
Greenhouse Ginger Defence | 4896 — A vendor production delay caused a temporary shortage.
Milk 2% Gaylea | 6827 — A Gaylea packaging delay resulted in a temporary shortage. Back in stock now.
Fior Di Latte | 7579 — Holiday-related production delays impacted availability.
White Cheddar Cheese | 8102 — A Gaylea packaging delay is resulting in delivery delays.
Sprout Chervil (Living Clamshell) | 10475 — Holiday scheduling delays at the grower pushed arrivals back by a day. Product is now readily in stock.
Macintosh Apples | 11951 — Holiday scheduling delays at the grower pushed arrivals back by a day. Product is now readily in stock.

From The Archives

50 Years of Bondi

As part of our 50th year, we’re digging into the archives and will be sharing more of our story...where it all started, the people who built this place, the moments that shaped us, and what’s coming next.

And it all starts here...

Back in 1976, Ignazio Bondi (our president Gus Bondi’s dad) started this business with one truck, a strong work ethic, and a belief that good things come from strong relationships. There was no big master plan. Just early mornings, long days, and putting in the work, day in and day out.

Fifty years later, the operation's a little bigger. The team’s bigger too. More routes, more coolers, more everything. But the heart of Bondi hasn’t changed. Still family-run. Still relationship-first. Still focused on building what comes next!

Pantry Pick of the Week!

Barbet Non-Alc Bevvys

A solid pick for Dry January and honestly, an easy win year-round.

Barbet gives you a zero-proof option that actually feels thought-through, with layered, botanical flavour that people want to order (not just settle for).

It’s a great add for bar programs looking to offer something a little more interesting than soda or juice. Pour it over ice, crack a can, build it into a non-alc cocktail, or stock it for grab-and-go.

4 Flavours Available:

SHOP BARBET NON-ALC