Planning • 6 min read
Produce Seasonality Guide for Buyers
Seasonality is the single biggest driver of produce supply, quality and cost. Understanding how deals move between regions helps buyers plan assortment and volume instead of reacting to the market.
Seasons are regional, not national
A commodity is rarely in season everywhere at once. Supply moves between growing regions through the year, and each transition changes pack availability, quality profile and volume.
When a region winds down and the next has not started, supply tightens. Those gap periods are where planning ahead matters most.
Domestic and imported supply work together
Imported programs extend the calendar on many commodities beyond the domestic window. Crossing points in South Texas and Nogales, Arizona are where a large share of imported produce enters the country.
Build a seasonal plan
- Map your top commodities against their typical windows
- Flag the transition weeks where supply usually tightens
- Decide which items you will promote and which you will hold
- Share the plan with your sales representative before the window, not during it
- Keep a substitute in mind for each promoted item
Treat seasonality as a guide
Weather, planting decisions and demand shift real windows every year. Typical seasonality tells you when to start the conversation; only your sales representative can confirm what is actually shipping.
Need something confirmed?
This guide is general education. For current availability, pack options or anything specific to your program, talk to the Atlantic Fresh sales team.