For the week ending August 29, 2026
School demand and limited availability are putting upward pressure on the apple market. Fujis, Pinks, Reds, Golds, and Granny’s are all seeing higher prices, while Gala and Honeycrisp remain the bright spots. New crop harvest is underway, and the Gala market remains stable.
ALERT: Asparagus supply remains tight, with steady demand keeping prices elevated. Mexico continues to face quality and availability issues, while Peru is also seeing reduced production and strong global demand. With container arrivals down 10% this week and additional weather and supply concerns ahead, the market is expected to remain firm.
Markets are slightly higher on 60ct and 70ct due to a shift toward 48ct, which remains steady to slightly lower. California and Peru are also shipping, but both are winding down.
Blackberries remain unchanged from last week, with steady supplies from California, Mexico, and Oregon. Demand also remains steady.
The PNW and Michigan are nearing the end of production, with September marking the close of most U.S. production. Peruvian and Mexican supplies are expected to take over the market in September. Peruvian and Mexican production should begin to dominate the market by mid-September.
Supplies are coming primarily from Baja and Mexico, with California also contributing light volume.
ALERT: Strawberries remain in a demand-exceeds-supply situation, with open market fruit extremely limited as shippers focus on contracts and prior commitments. Tight supplies are expected through August due to a production gap in Salinas and Watsonville caused by July’s heat. Santa Maria should see improved production next week, while Baja and Central Mexico are expected to begin production in September.
MARKET ON WATCH
Broccoli supplies remain tight as newer fields come online and production transitions to younger fields. The market is expected to strengthen heading into next week.
Brussels sprout supplies remain steady with good overall quality. With demand beginning to pick up, the market is expected to increase slightly.
Cauliflower supplies are strong across all growing regions this week, and the market is expected to remain steady heading into next week.
Bakersfield is currently the primary growing region, with good sizing and strong availability across all carrot pack sizes.
ALERTS on Lemons and Small-Sized Navels
Star Ruby are readily available, peaking at 48ct, with shipments coming from Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
The lemon market remains elevated due to limited availability and strong demand. Supplies are expected to stay tight, keeping prices firm in the near term. Offshore fruit is becoming available on both coasts, while District 2 (Ventura County/Oxnard) is in full production and supplying the majority of the fruit.
Lime crossings remain steady, with supply expected to hold for the next three weeks before tightening. Weather continues to impact U.S. No. 1 yields, while declining Mexican production will be supplemented by Colombian imports. Peru’s new season is expected to begin in September/October.
California Valencia oranges are heavily skewed toward larger sizes, with 56ct and 72ct leading production. Small sizes, particularly 113ct and 138ct, remain extremely limited and are expected to stay tight through the end of the season. Flexibility with size and grade will be important, with 88ct and 72ct substitutions likely needed to maintain order coverage.
The market remains steady in both the North and South, with the best deals coming from the Santa Maria/Oxnard region. All sizes are available, with slightly stronger availability on larger sizes. Light seeder and insect damage has been reported but remains minimal. Supplies are expected to stay steady throughout the week.
Markets remain mostly steady, with ample promotional opportunities despite slightly lighter Baja production. New York volume is increasing this week with excellent quality, while local Midwest supplies continue to build.
New Jersey production has increased, easing the market, while California remains stable with improving supplies. Promotable volume is expected across the East Coast and Midwest over the next several weeks.
We are now into the new 2026 California crop, which is expected to run through September 2027.
The California grape market remains mostly steady, with most shippers peaking on Large and Extra Large red and green seedless varieties. Barring significant weather issues, the market should remain steady, with excellent availability.
Green onion supplies remain strong overall, with the market expected to stay steady into next week, weather permitting.
Supplies are plentiful across both Northern and Southern California, with shippers flexing and encouraging promotions. Load volume is available, with good weights and sizing. With schools starting across the country, this is an excellent time to promote, and no offer is unreasonable. Strong production is expected to continue through at least this week.
Romaine, green leaf, and red leaf supplies are expected to remain strong throughout the week, with the best availability coming from the Salinas Valley. Most suppliers are reporting above-average weights and sizing, while romaine hearts should remain steady. Fringe and tip burn have been reported but remain minimal.
Spinach, arugula, and spring mix supplies remain strong, with good quality and ample availability for normal business.
Kale supplies and quality remain strong, with the market expected to stay steady into next week.
Domestic cantaloupes are transitioning to new fields in California’s Westside region, with product peaking on 9ct. Supplies are good, with promotional opportunities available on the new crop.
Domestic honeydews are transitioning to new fields in California’s Westside region, with product peaking on 5ct. Supplies are good, with promotional opportunities available on the new crop.
Demand for watermelons remains steady as we come off the holiday ADS. Watermelons are currently available in California, the Southeast, and Texas.
MARKET ON WATCH
Onions will continue loading from Central California and New Mexico for the remainder of the summer onion season. Lower yields are impacting supplies and keeping prices elevated, a trend that is expected to continue until new supplies become available from the Pacific Northwest. Freight is currently a significant driver of the market. Winter storage onions are also available in Washington.
Washington pear growers are in full production on Bartletts, with many growers also beginning Starkrimson. The market remains mostly steady. Limited California Bartletts are still available from the Central Valley.
California markets remain soft, with steady production and light demand, while lower East Coast pricing continues to add pressure. East Coast supplies are currently strong, but recent heavy rains and heat are expected to impact quality and yields moving forward.
Pineapple supplies are expected to tighten significantly by the end of August and remain limited through early November due to strong natural flowering and limited harvest-ready fruit. Contract orders should remain unaffected, but open-market availability will be tighter. 6- and 7-count crowned pineapples are increasing, while 8-count remains steady. Crownless 8- and 10-count, along with organic pineapples, remain very tight.
ALERT: Large-size potatoes are tightening as we move deeper into the season, with lower pack-outs and storage issues from the warm winter impacting overall supplies. Orders will require additional lead time to secure product. Washington potatoes are showing great quality, with mid-sizes most available while large and smaller counts remain snug. Florida colored potatoes are expected to be available for another 1–2 weeks. Yellow potatoes remain tight, while Reds are in better supply. North Carolina sweet potatoes will remain limited until new crop is available.
Zucchini and gray squash remain plentiful, while yellow squash continues to command premium pricing due to tighter supplies. New Jersey and New York have strong production with promotable volumes, though August heat may tighten Western supplies. DELBENE IS STOCKING AND SHIPPING MI GROWN YELLOW SQUASH & ZUCCHINI.
Peaches, plums, and nectarines are all in full production. Peach and nectarine sizing has improved significantly, with limited small fruit available. Small plums remain plentiful and attractively priced. The Chilean kiwi market has strengthened due to lighter supplies, with availability limited. Chile will remain the primary source until California production resumes in October.
Tomato supplies remain generally adequate, with weather-related quality issues improving as Tennessee and other regional harvests expand. California and Baja continue to provide strong, consistent volume, while Virginia is producing good-quality grape tomatoes. Central Mexico and Baja are expected to increase production in the coming weeks, improving overall market availability DelBene Produce is stocking and shipping MI grown grape, roma, 5×5, 5×6, 4×4 2 layer tomatoes.
*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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