For the week ending April 18, 2025
The apple market is steady to slightly higher as supplies gradually tighten. Retail bag programs continue to absorb smaller fruit, so foodservice operators may need to stay flexible with sizing. Supplies of size 100 and smaller are especially limited across Cosmic Crisp, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Gala, and this is expected to continue until the new crop arrives.
Mexico’s main growing regions have faced extreme heat, cutting yields up to 30% and limiting packable quality. Supply met holiday demand but stressed late-season fields, with quality declining and many Sonora fields closing within 7–10 days. Production will shift to southern Baja in April and Central Mexico in May. Peru asparagus volume is rising, though high temperatures raise quality concerns. Significant volume is expected by mid-April, while air freight costs continue to climb into May. Michigan asparagus is expected to be available in mid-May.
Markets remain steady at lower levels with ample fruit on the trees and consistent demand. Peak sizes are 48 count, and with dry matter and oil content in the low 30s, the fruit is eating very well. Updates will follow if anything changes on the avocado front.
We are starting to see improvement in availability.
Supplies are light out of Central Mexico, and California is still a couple of weeks away from starting production.
Supplies are light but steady out of Central Mexico, while California is producing limited volume in the Central Valley. The Pacific Northwest is expected to begin in about three weeks, starting in Oregon and then moving into Washington.
Supplies from CEMEX and Baja remain light, keeping markets elevated as demand continues to exceed supply. Some quality issues persist.
Berry production is strong from Salinas, Watsonville, Santa Maria, and Oxnard. Demand is good but expected to ease into the weekend. Cooler weather is helping maintain quality, with less bruising reported.
Broccoli supplies are gradually tightening, and the market is expected to rise slightly next week.
Brussels sprout supplies remain very good, and the market is expected to stay steady into next week.
Cauliflower supplies are gradually tightening, and the market is expected to rise slightly next week. Colored Cauliflower availability is limited. We suggest working with your sales rep and ordering in advance.
Availability, quality/size starting to improve, although prices is still escalated.
MARKET ON WATCH: Harvest in Bakersfield is finished, with only light activity starting in the Imperial Valley. Carrot sizing is currently small, as early harvesting was limited to protect the crop. Warm, dry weather over the next 3–4 weeks should improve sizing and availability, helping stabilize the California carrot market.
Harvest in Bakersfield is finished, with only light activity starting in the Imperial Valley. Carrot sizing is currently small, as early harvesting was limited to protect the crop. Warm, dry weather over the next 3–4 weeks should improve sizing and availability, helping stabilize the California carrot market.
District 3 (CA Desert/AZ) is finished. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) is now the main growing region, peaking in 115, 95, and 140 count. District 2 (Oxnard/Ventura) is expected to ramp up late March to early April. Markets are starting to rise on 165 and 200 count as product sizes up.
The market stabilized after the holiday, but short-term supply is limited due to Mexico’s Holy Week slowdown. Fruit is peaking on smaller sizes (200–250), while larger sizes (175+) remain scarce and expensive. Offshore supplies from Peru and Colombia are easing pressure, but significant price relief is unlikely until after Cinco de Mayo.
The market stabilized after the holiday, but short-term supply is limited due to Mexico’s Holy Week slowdown. Fruit is peaking on smaller sizes (200–250), while larger sizes (175+) remain scarce and expensive. Offshore supplies from Peru and Colombia are easing pressure, but significant price relief is unlikely until after Cinco de Mayo.
This market is much stronger than in previous weeks. With Yuma finished and southern California supplies limited, expect moderate to light availability this week. Thirty-six counts are the most limited, while larger sizes are more available. Slight seeder has been reported.
Mexico supply remains tight, with Baja starting but limited and priced at a premium. Florida harvest is delayed by rain, with production slowly ramping over the next 10–14 days. The market is elevated as demand exceeds supply, with gradual relief expected in 1–2 weeks.
Florida volume is slowly improving but still light, keeping the market active. Mexico demand is strong through the holidays, with supply expected to improve post-Easter. The market is likely to soften by mid to late April.
The California garlic crop is progressing with good quality, complemented by ongoing Mexican supplies.
The grape market is trending upward as heavy rainfall in Chile has impacted remaining supplies, potentially ending the Chilean deal early. Green grapes are under pressure due to declining arrivals and strong retail demand, while retailers are promoting red grapes, narrowing the price gap. These conditions are expected to continue until Mexican production begins in May.
Green onion supplies remain good overall and are expected to stay steady into next week, depending on heat conditions.
Yuma production is finished, and Huron will wrap up this week, while Salinas and Santa Maria continue supplying. Pricing is expected to stay competitive, with heavier production due to warm temperatures. Planting gaps are expected in 2–4 weeks, and overall quality remains above average.
Romaine, green leaf, and red leaf are slightly more active in the market. Some suppliers are offering volume romaine orders, so promote as much as possible. The market should ease in a few weeks. Yuma production finishes this week, with slight tip and fringe burn reported. Romaine hearts are expected to tighten next week.
Tender leaf items like spinach, cilantro, and arugula are in good supply, though minor insect damage and discoloration are present. Supplies are expected to tighten next week with the heat wave in Yuma.
Kale supplies and quality remain mostly good and are expected to stay consistent into next week.
Offshore cantaloupes are available in California, Texas, Florida, and the Northeast, with prices rising due to strong demand. Retailers are capitalizing on warmer temperatures and prebooked orders. Domestic cantaloupes are expected to start arriving within the next month.
Offshore and Mexican Honeydews are available but are expected to have issues throughout the month of April. Fields in Guatemala and Honduras have experienced issues with plant virus impacted leaving Mexican honeydews to supplement the market.
Mexico supply has improved and pricing has stabilized, with deals expected as domestic watermelons come into season.
Onion quality from Idaho and Washington is being monitored. Texas onions are available, and California’s season starts this week. Transportation costs, up $1 week over week, are driving the market.
The pear market is gradually rising. Bartletts are finished, easing pressure on Anjous. Red pears are in adequate supply, and Bosc pears are plentiful.
ALERT: Florida is delayed by heavy rain, with meaningful volume still more than two weeks out and early yields weakened after the freeze. Mexico crossings remain very limited, with colored peppers extremely short due to early green picking. The market is expected to ease in late April as California and Florida production ramps up.
MARKET ON WATCH: Pineapple supplies are tightening as demand rises, with 6/7 count crowned sizes very limited and expected to take 2–4 weeks to improve. Overall supply is slightly lower than previous weeks. Crownless 8 and 10 count sizes and organic pineapples remain tight, while bunker fuel costs will impact Q2 pricing.
Supplies and demand are good, with sheds making deals on 40, 50 count, and #2 potatoes. Smaller sizes are harder to find. Burbank potatoes are now available, with Norkoths as the main variety. Washington potatoes are high quality, peaking on mid sizes, while large and small counts remain tight. Florida colored potatoes are limited due to the freeze. Trucking and rising fuel costs are driving the market.
Availability, quality and price are starting to improve after freezing weather in growing regions.
Imported kiwi are slightly higher on light supplies from Greece and Italy. Chilean kiwi is expected to start in about two weeks. Domestic stone fruit, including apricots, peaches, and cherries, will begin at the end of the month with light supplies, with more volume coming in May.
ALERT: Supply remains critically short across all regions, with AOG and force majeure issues driving contracts and record-high prices. Weather challenges—Florida freeze, Mexico heat, and California greenhouse delays —are limiting yields and shelf life, with the best quality coming from greenhouses. Some relief is possible late April to May, but markets remain elevated as rounds are scarce, and demand shifts to other varieties. New crop from Jalisco is approaching.
*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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