For the week ending September 12, 2026
School demand and limited availability continue to put upward pressure on the apple market. Prices for Fuji, Pink Lady, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Granny Smith have increased, with Fuji supplies expected to remain extremely limited over the next two weeks. Gala and Honeycrisp are the exceptions, as new-crop harvest is underway and the Gala market remains relatively steady.
ALERT: Mexican asparagus supplies remain extremely limited, with Northern Baja providing the most consistent volume despite quality challenges. September is expected to be one of the toughest months for availability, with improved supplies not expected until mid-to-late October. Peruvian supplies also remain limited, with rising costs and El Niño uncertainty prompting major grower Olmos to exit production. Southern Peru continues to offer better quality, but strong European demand and high air freight costs are limiting U.S. availability.
Markets remain steady on 48/60/70ct, while larger fruit continues to command a premium. California and Peru are also shipping, though both are winding down
ALERT
ALERT: Blackberry supplies have tightened significantly as Cemex transitions to new growing areas and the California crop nears its end. Oregon is also finishing this week, with supplies expected to remain limited over the next two weeks until Mexican production increases.
The Pacific Northwest season has ended, with Peruvian and Mexican imports beginning to dominate supplies at slightly higher prices. This week marks the end of domestic fruit availability.
Supplies are limited this week due to the Cemex transition and declining California availability. Mexican volume is expected to increase over the next two weeks, helping improve availability.
ALERT: Strawberry supplies remain tight, with demand exceeding availability and very limited open-market fruit. Salinas and Watsonville are winding down earlier than expected, while Santa Maria’s new crop is beginning and should improve volume into September. Additional supplies from CEMEX, Oxnard, and Baja are still a few weeks away.
ALERT
Broccoli supplies remain tight as fields transition to younger plantings. The market is expected to strengthen heading into next week.
Brussels sprout supplies remain on the tighter side. With demand beginning to pick up, expect the market to strengthen slightly.
Cauliflower supplies are expected to remain very tight through the remainder of the season. While some fields have recently come forward, production gaps and Diamondback Moth pressure continue to significantly impact yields, particularly in South County and Santa Maria. Warm weather is adding to the challenges, with no meaningful improvement expected in the near term. The market is likely to remain difficult for the foreseeable future.
The spring carrot crop in Bakersfield is sizing well with good yields, and we expect to remain in the area for the next 2–3 weeks before transitioning to the Lancaster/Cuyama regions for the summer crop, which will run through the end of October. We will then return to Bakersfield. Grimmway has also begun production in Minnesota, with the program expected to run through late November or early December. Pricing will remain consistent with California.
ALERTS on Lemons and Small-Sized Navels
Star Ruby supplies are available, peaking at 48ct, with shipments coming out of Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
The lemon market remains steady, with tight supplies keeping prices firm in the near term. Offshore product is available on both coasts, while District Two (Ventura County/Oxnard) is in full production and providing the majority of the fruit.
Good quality fruit remains extremely limited, with heavy grading and below-average quality pushing prices higher. New crop should improve quality within 1–2 weeks, but limited volume is expected to keep prices elevated.
California Valencia oranges are heavily weighted toward larger sizes, with production peaking on 56ct and 72ct. Small sizes, particularly 113ct and 138ct, remain extremely limited and are expected to stay tight through the end of the season. Flexibility on size and grade will be important for consistent order coverage, with substitutions to 88ct or 72ct likely needed as small fruit supplies tighten.
The market is steady to start the week and is expected to remain that way throughout. Santa Maria/Oxnard and Salinas will provide all sizes, with above-average quality from most shippers. School demand has been relatively slow, and shippers are flexing, making this a good commodity to promote.
Baja supplies remain light due to weather, putting upward pressure on the market. Eastern and local production is available with generally good quality, while markets are expected to remain firm into September until mainland Mexico increases production.
Heavy production and good quality continue in North Carolina and New Jersey, while California production is improving with steady pricing. Markets are expected to remain soft, making eggplant a strong promotional item through August. DelBene is currently stocking and shipping MI grown eggplant.
We are now into the new 2026 California crop, which is expected to run through September 2026.
The California grape market remains stable, with most shippers peaking on Large and Extra Large sizes across red and green seedless varieties. Barring significant weather disruptions, pricing and availability are expected to remain favorable, making grapes a strong promotional item.
ALERT: Baja production is expected to remain very limited over the next 2–3 weeks due to continued heat, lower yields, and lighter sizing. Tight supplies have firmed the market, with September water availability and potential monsoonal weather adding further risk. Fall production is expected to improve supplies by mid-to-late October.
ALERTS
ALERT: Lower yields in the Salinas Valley and Santa Maria are keeping supplies tight and the market active. INSV continues to limit availability, while quality concerns include discoloration, misshapen heads, and insect damage. With reduced yields, ongoing disease pressure, and active demand, the market is expected to strengthen throughout the week.
Disease pressure on romaine, green leaf, and red leaf has eased in the Salinas Valley and Southern California, with supplies gradually improving and creating better availability. Romaine hearts remain moderately available.
Spring Mix looks good overall, with some breakdown in the red varieties late in shelf life. Spinach supplies and quality remain strong, though minor insect pressure could increase heading into fall. Arugula is showing some seeding and flowering but remains in good condition overall.
Kale supplies and quality remain good, with conditions expected to stay steady into next week.
Domestic cantaloupes are loading from Central California, with production peaking on 9ct. Supplies are good, with promotional opportunities available on new-crop fruit.
Domestic honeydews are loading from California’s Westside region, with steady demand and supply. Product is peaking on 5ct, with good availability and sizing.
Watermelon demand remains steady heading into the upcoming holiday, with retail ads starting this weekend. The market is expected to remain strong through the remainder of the month. DelBene Produce is currently shipping MI grown seedless watermelon.
ALERT
Summer onion season is officially over, with storage onions now driving the market. Supplies remain tight due to strong demand and regional issues, while freight costs are adding pressure ahead of the holiday. Suppliers are building inventory, but larger sizes remain challenging.
Washington pear growers are in full production on Bartletts, with Starkrimson also underway and new-crop Anjou just around the corner. The market remains mostly steady, with some California Bartletts still available from the Central Valley
California supplies remain plentiful with good quality and steady volume, while Midwest and Northeast production remains strong with favorable domestic FOBs. Supplies are expected to stay ample through early September.
ALERT: Pineapple supplies are tightening due to the natural flowering season, with open-market availability becoming more limited while contract orders remain covered. Quality is expected to stay good. Crownless 8ct and 10ct, along with organic pineapples, remain very tight, while 6ct and 7ct crowned supplies are improving. Minor port delays are possible over Labor Day weekend.
ALERT: Old-crop Burbank potatoes are officially finished, with new-crop sizing challenges expected to continue, particularly on 40/70ct. Lead time will be important to secure product. Washington potatoes have excellent quality, peaking on mid-sizes, while larger and smaller counts remain tight. Color potatoes are available from multiple growing regions, while California and North Carolina sweet potatoes remain limited until new crop arrives. Mississippi sweet potatoes are off to a slow start.
Eastern squash supplies remain tight, with yellow more limited than zucchini, while NC/GA new crop begins this week. Santa Maria volumes are also light due to reduced fall plantings. Tight availability is expected to continue until late September/early October as Sonora ramps up production. DELBENE IS STOCKING AND SHIPPING MI GROWN YELLOW SQUASH & ZUCCHINI.
Peach and nectarine harvest is winding down and is expected to finish within the next three weeks. Sizing has improved significantly, with small fruit remaining limited, while white peaches and nectarines are nearly finished. Small black plums remain plentiful and well-priced, while red plums are tighter and mostly larger sizes. Chilean kiwi supplies remain limited with a strong market, and Chile will remain the primary source until California production resumes in the coming weeks.
Round tomatoes remain tight in the East due to heat and rain impacting packouts, while Western supplies are improving with Mexican and steady California volume. Roma supplies are also tight in the East, with steady availability from California, Baja, and Mexico, though the market could tighten into late September. Grape tomato availability is light to moderate, with new crops from Virginia, Mexico, and Baja expected to improve volume and quality over the next 2–3 weeks. 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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