For the week ending September 27, 2025
September marks the kickoff of the 2025–2026 apple season, with nearly all major varieties beginning to pick and pack new crop this month. Early indicators point to a strong production year for the apple industry, with most varieties expected to match or exceed last year’s volumes. Honeycrisp is leading the way, projected to come in over seven million cases above last season — a 64% increase. While it’s still too early to determine exact size profiles for every variety, the overall outlook suggests a very favorable supply situation for foodservice this year.
Asparagus supplies are beginning to improve out of both Mexico and Peru, with volumes gradually increasing. As a result, the market is expected to ease slightly heading into next week. Quality has also shown noticeable improvement and is trending positively moving forward.
Peak sizes are currently 48ct and 60ct, with Flora Loca as the primary crop. Fruit quality is excellent, with very minimal #2 grade—typical for this time of year. The California season is gradually winding down and is expected to wrap up in the coming weeks. Offshore arrivals continue on both coasts, though volume is significantly lighter as that season nears its end. Remaining offshore fruit is primarily jumbo-sized.
This item continues to move steadily into October, with solid volume coming out of California, Central Mexico, and Baja.
The Pacific Northwest season has officially wrapped up. Peruvian imports are now beginning to dominate the market, with Central Mexico expected to follow in October. Quality out of both regions is being reported as excellent.
This item remains steady heading into October, with strong volume coming out of California, Central Mexico, and Baja.
We’re currently seeing a two-tiered market developing between the new crop out of Santa Maria and Oxnard and the older plantings in the Salinas and Watsonville regions. Quality in the northern areas is beginning to decline as the season winds down, leading to rougher product compared to the fresher southern harvests.
Broccoli supplies remain slightly limited but are showing gradual improvement, with the market slowly easing. Expect modest gains in availability heading into next week.
Brussels sprout supplies continue to be limited. Growing regions in the Salinas Valley and Oxnard are facing challenges from insect pressure, some decay, and smaller sizing.
Cauliflower supplies and quality remain strong across all growing regions this week. Expect similar conditions to continue into next week.
Harvest is underway in the Cuyama/Lancaster area and will continue through November. No sizing issues are expected in the near future.
Marsh Rubies are available now, peaking at 48ct, and are shipping out of Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
Markets remain strong across all sizes. District 2 (Ventura/Oxnard) is the main production area, though volume is declining weekly. Smaller sizes (140ct and below) are extremely limited. District 3 (CA Desert/AZ) is starting with light volume. Compared to last summer, markets are elevated due to higher demand and reduced import supplies. Offshore arrivals remain light on both coasts, and Mexico’s season has begun with lower projected volume year over year.
Markets are slightly lower as crossings increase; however, quality concerns persist, including lighter color, thinner skin, spotting, and shorter shelf life. The new crop is producing smaller sizes (250s/230s), while larger fruit (110s/150s) is still from the old crop. Offshore Colombian fruit continues to supplement supply through Florida.
Valencias are currently peaking on 72ct, with about a month left in the season. Gas times are averaging 3–4 days to address regreening. School demand has surged, driving up markets on 88ct, 113ct, and 138ct as availability tightens. The domestic Navel season is expected to start around mid-October.
This market is showing some strength in both Northern and Southern California. All sizes remain available, with quality reported as above average by most shippers. Only slight seeder issues have been noted. Expect supplies to stay steady throughout the week.
Supply remains steady from Michigan, New York, Canada, Baja, and Central Mexico. Baja is leading in both volume and quality, while harvests in North Carolina and Georgia are ramping up soon. The market is expected to be active as the season transitions south to Georgia and Nogales. MI Cucumbers and pickling cucumbers are currently in stock and shipping.
Good, steady supply continues from the East with strong quality. North Carolina is shifting south, while Fresno, CA remains steady through late October. Washington is producing excellent fruit for the Northwest market. MI Eggplant is currently in stock and shipping.
The new California garlic crop is progressing well with good quality, while Mexican supplies continue to complement the California harvest.
The domestic grape market continues to progress steadily with excellent quality as we transition from mid-season varieties into the fall picks. While the market is poised to push prices higher, ideal weather conditions and abundant inventories are currently keeping prices stable.
The green onion market is slightly higher compared to last week, but supplies remain good. Expect the market to stay steady heading into next week.
NOW STOCKING & SHIPPING MICHIGAN GROWN DILL & CILANTRO.
Warm weather in the growing regions has accelerated growth, resulting in good supplies of this commodity that are expected to continue throughout the week. Weights are averaging between 39 and 44 pounds, depending on the shipper. There have been minimal reports of slight misshapen heads and some outer leaf discoloration. Current production is coming from the Salinas Valley and Southern California.
Overall, the market remains steady on romaine as well as green and red leaf lettuce. Improved supplies of romaine hearts have emerged this week, with a few shippers offering some flexibility. Expect to see some fringe and tip burn due to the warm temperatures in the growing regions. Sizing and weights have been favorable across all leaf items. MI grown Red Leaf & Green Leaf in stock & shipping. MI grown Romaine Hearts available in limited supplies.
All tender leaf items are expected to be in good supply this week, with quality remaining strong. Similar conditions are anticipated heading into next week. Cilantro, arugula, and spinach- MI grown cilantro in stock and shipping.
Kale supplies and quality are expected to remain strong this week, with similar conditions projected for next week.
The domestic cantaloupe market is beginning to firm up due to sizing from Westside fields. The second cut and rising demand are driving the market. Fields are still heavy on 9s, but sizing on 12s and 15s is improving. Brix levels are strong, ranging from 13–16.
The domestic honeydew market is beginning to firm up as sizing improves from Westside fields. The second cut and increased demand are driving the market, with fields still heavy on 5s but showing better availability on 6s and 8s. Mexican honeydews are expected to start in early October, weather permitting.
Domestic watermelons are available on both coasts, with prices beginning to stabilize as growers push new crops. Mexican watermelons are also coming in through Texas. We are currently stocking and shipping Michigan watermelons.
Onions are currently shipping out of Washington and Idaho, as the California and New Mexico seasons have ended. Demand remains strong across the U.S. Rain in Idaho may impact harvest schedules and will need to be closely monitored.
Pears are experiencing a production situation very similar to apples. California kicked off the new season with a heavy crop, priced competitively to encourage movement. Washington is following suit, and it looks like all pear varieties will be available in promotable volumes with excellent quality.
Steady supplies continue out of Michigan, New York, North Carolina, New Jersey, and California, with promotable volume available. Overall quality remains good, with only minor weather-related discoloration reported. Colored bell pepper supplies out of Oxnard are increasing, and the market is beginning to ease. MI grown green peppers currently in stock and shipping.
Thunderstorms continue to impact growing regions in Costa Rica and are expected to persist through the end of September 2025. Pineapple supplies remain very limited and may continue to be constrained for the remainder of the year. Crownless pineapples are in high demand. Expect substitutions and shortages driven by weather-related challenges in Central America. Transportation out of Mexico remains stable, with good truck availability to support pineapple shipments.
Idaho’s 40-70 count market has stabilized with new crop Norkoths now leading; Burbanks are finished. New fields are mostly #1 grade, with #2s tight. Washington’s new crop offers smaller sizes and great quality. Color potatoes come from CA, ID, MN, WA, and WI. North Carolina’s new sweet potatoes have started in small volumes, with some curing issues to resolve soon.
Supplies remain stable in both the East and West. New Jersey’s season is winding down, while Georgia’s is just beginning. Baja and Santa Maria are supplying good-quality fruit, with Sonora starting to cross product into Nogales. MI grown yellow squash and MI grown zucchini is now in stock and shipping.
MI grown acorn, butternut, delicata, kabocha, and spaghetti all in stock and shipping.
Peach and nectarine seasons are wrapping up this month, while plums will continue into late fall. Imported kiwis remain steady but at higher prices, with Chilean growers shifting focus to Europe due to tariff concerns. California kiwi is set to start in late September or early October, with strong demand expected to support current prices. Fall fruits like pomegranates and persimmons also begin this month.
Strong volumes continue from Tennessee, Virginia, and other Eastern states, as well as Canada, Michigan, Alabama, and North Carolina. Western supplies remain steady out of California, Baja, and Central Mexico, with solid quality reported. The market is expected to remain steady through mid-October.
MI grown Grape and Roma tomatoes now in stock and shipping.
*The data contained in the Del Bene Market Report is provided for informational purposes only, is not tailored to your specific purchasing needs, and is not intended as a substitute for any other publicly available market data or information. The Del Bene market report is compiled from the last-received market data provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and/or other market sources. The Del Bene Market Report is subject to change without notice. Nothing herein is the opinion of Del Bene Produce neither assumes any legal liability nor makes any warranty or guaranty, either express or implied, regarding the completeness, accuracy or usefulness of this information.
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