When are navel oranges cheapest?

The best time to buy navel oranges, from 17 years of U.S. government shelf prices.

Worth timing

Buy navel oranges in April if you can.

Over 2008–2024, navel oranges in April ran a typical 10% below the year’s trend price, and April was below it in 14 of 14 years. October is the dearest month (15% above): a 26-point swing, one of the biggest in the grocery store.

Navels are a winter fruit: California’s navel season runs from about November into spring, so by early spring the supply is deepest.

Navel oranges: price by month

Typical price each month compared with that year’s trend, 2008–2024. The bar is the median year; the thin line spans the middle half of years.

−20%−15%−10%−5%trend+5%+10%+15%+20%JanJanuary: typically 8% below trend (half of years between −12% and −5%; 12 years)FebFebruary: typically 9% below trend (half of years between −15% and −6%; 14 years)MarMarch: typically 8% below trend (half of years between −16% and −6%; 14 years)Apr−10%April: typically 10% below trend (half of years between −14% and −7%; 14 years)MayMay: typically 8% below trend (half of years between −8% and −4%; 14 years)JunJune: typically 1.5% below trend (half of years between −2.5% and +0.6%; 14 years)JulJuly: typically 6% above trend (half of years between +2.2% and +9%; 14 years)AugAugust: typically 12% above trend (half of years between +8% and +17%; 14 years)SepSeptember: typically 13% above trend (half of years between +8% and +20%; 14 years)Oct+15%October: typically 15% above trend (half of years between +12% and +17%; 13 years)NovNovember: typically 2.9% above trend (half of years between +1% and +7%; 13 years)DecDecember: typically 6% below trend (half of years between −8% and −5%; 13 years)
cheaper than the year’s trend dearer middle half of years
See the numbers as a table
MonthTypical vs trendMiddle half of yearsYears
January−8%−12% to −5%12
February−9%−15% to −6%14
March−8%−16% to −6%14
April−10%−14% to −7%14
May−8%−8% to −4%14
June−1.5%−2.5% to +0.6%14
July+6%+2.2% to +9%14
August+12%+8% to +17%14
September+13%+8% to +20%14
October+15%+12% to +17%13
November+2.9%+1% to +7%13
December−6%−8% to −5%13

What that means at today’s prices

The U.S. average price of navel oranges (per pound) was $1.72 in September 2026 (down 4% from a year earlier). At today’s price level, the typical April price is about $1.37 and the typical October price about $1.76.

Every year, its cheapest month

Each row is one year; the dot is the month navel oranges were cheapest relative to that year’s trend. April was the single cheapest month in 5 of 11 years, and the month next to it in 3 more.

20242024: cheapest in April20182018: cheapest in April20172017: cheapest in April20162016: cheapest in May20152015: cheapest in April20142014: cheapest in January20132013: cheapest in April20122012: cheapest in February20112011: cheapest in May20102010: cheapest in March20092009: cheapest in JanuaryJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
See it as a table
YearCheapest month
2024April
2018April
2017April
2016May
2015April
2014January
2013April
2012February
2011May
2010March
2009January

More from the calendar

What else is cheap in April: what’s cheap in April. Fruit: strawberries (Jul), grapes (Sep), grapefruit (Mar), lemons (Mar), bananas (Dec), peaches (Aug), cherries (Jul). All 39 foods: the grocery price calendar.

Questions

What month are navel oranges cheapest?

April. Over 2008–2024 the U.S. average price of navel oranges in April was typically 10% below that year's trend, and below it in 14 of 14 years. October is the dearest month (15% above).

What is the most expensive month for navel oranges?

October, typically 15% above the year's trend price.

How much are navel oranges right now?

The U.S. average was $1.72 a pound in September 2026 (BLS Average Price Data).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Average Price Data (U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted), the shelf prices BLS collects every month for the Consumer Price Index, through October 2026. Seasonal pattern and every number on this page computed by Online List Maker; how.

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