For the week ending April 11, 2025
The apple market remains stable to slightly elevated as overall supplies continue to tighten gradually. Strong demand from retail bag programs is placing sustained pressure on smaller-sized fruit, requiring foodservice operators to remain flexible with size specifications. Supplies of smaller counts (size 100 and below) are especially limited across major varieties such as Cosmic Crisp, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Gala. These market dynamics are expected to continue through the transition into the new crop season.
ALERT: Mexico ramped up production ahead of Easter, but extreme heat reduced yields and quality. Supply met demand, though fields are now declining, with many in Sonora closing soon. Production will shift to Baja in April, then Central Mexico in May. Peru volumes are increasing for the transition, with more supply expected by mid-April despite some quality concerns and rising freight costs.
Markets remain steady at lower levels, with good fruit availability and consistent demand. Peak sizes are 48ct, dry matter and oil content are in the low 30s, and the fruit is eating very well. Updates will be provided if conditions change.
Supply chain issues continue due to weather. Product is in short supply. Clean and trimmed beans are recommended as a substitute.
Supplies out of CMEX remain light, while California and Georgia are still a few weeks away from starting production.
An industry-wide shortage persists across Mexico, Peru, and California. California volumes are expected to build gradually by mid-May, with the PNW beginning production in 4–5 weeks, weather permitting.
Supplies from CEMEX and Baja remain light, keeping markets elevated as demand continues to exceed supply. Some quality issues persist.
We are moving past heat-damaged product, with field conditions improving this week. Demand is expected to ease following the Easter pull, while yields should gradually increase over the coming days.
Broccoli supplies are gradually tightening, with the market expected to edge higher into next week.
Brussels sprout supplies remain strong, with the market expected to stay steady into next week.
Cauliflower supplies remain strong across all regions, with the market expected to ease slightly into the weekend.
Harvest in the Bakersfield region is complete, with only light activity starting in the Imperial Valley. Improvement across California carrots is expected in 3–4 weeks as warm, dry weather helps the crop size up. Early harvesting in Bakersfield yielded smaller carrots, forcing growers to slow picking to allow sizing. In a few weeks, sizing should be stronger, with good availability returning.
Star Ruby grapefruit are available, peaking at 48ct, and are shipping from Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
District 3 (CA Desert/AZ) is finished, with District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) now the main growing region until District 2 (Oxnard/Ventura) ramps up in late March/early April. District 1 is peaking on 115/95/140ct, while markets are rising on 165ct and 200ct as product sizes increase.
The market remains elevated with very limited supplies. New crop fruit is mostly small (230–250ct), while larger sizes are scarce and commanding higher prices. Offshore supplies are adequate. Rain is forecast in Veracruz later this week, which could add further pressure to the market.
California Navels are peaking on 56ct and 72ct, with small sizes (113ct, 138ct) extremely limited through the season and into the Valencia transition (possible early April). Flexibility with size is needed, with substitutions to larger fruit recommended. Suppliers are holding to contract size averages; schools and DOD programs should be encouraged to take 88ct or 72ct.
Yuma production is finished, with moderate supplies expected this week from Oxnard and Santa Maria. Overall, the market is steady, with all sizes available to meet demand. Quality remains good in Southern California, aside from some minor seeder issues.
Cucumber supplies are extremely tight as Mexico transitions, Honduras winds down, and Florida is two weeks from spring harvest. Demand far exceeds supply, driving markets to historic highs. Slight relief may appear in 7–10 days from Sonoran production, but true stabilization won’t occur until Florida volumes start in mid-April.
ALERT: Eggplant supplies are very limited, with Florida’s winter crop finished and spring production weeks away. Strong holiday demand in Mexico keeps markets active. Conditions should ease after Easter, with improved production and softer demand potentially making eggplant promotable by mid-April.
The California garlic crop is progressing with good quality, complemented by ongoing Mexican supplies.
The grape market is rising as heavy rainfall in Chile has reduced production. Green grapes are under additional pressure from low arrivals and strong retail demand, prompting retailers to promote red grapes and narrowing the price gap. These conditions are expected to continue until Mexican production begins in May.
Green Onion supplies continue to be good overall. Look for supplies to stay steady (depending on the heat) going into next week.
Production is ongoing in Yuma, Santa Maria, Huron, and Salinas. Warm temperatures have caused defects like internal burn, leaf discoloration, and misshapen heads. Pricing is expected to remain very competitive throughout the week.
Romaine and green and red leaf are less available than last week due to warm temperatures affecting production, causing slight tip and fringe burn and lighter weights. Romaine hearts remain in good supply, with suppliers encouraging promotions. Production continues in Yuma, Santa Maria, Salinas, and Huron.
Tender leaf items like spinach, cilantro, and arugula remain in good supply, though minor insect damage and discoloration are present. Supplies may tighten next week due to the heat wave in Yuma.
Kale supplies and quality remain strong, with similar conditions expected into next week.
*Processed lettuce is still in transition with expected completion week of 4/20 growers will be in new production area.
Offshore cantaloupes are available in CA, TX, FL, and the Northeast. Pricing has risen due to strong demand, with retailers leveraging warmer temperatures and scheduled prebooks.
Offshore and Mexican honeydews are available but may face challenges throughout April. Plant virus issues in Guatemala and Honduras are limiting production, leaving Mexican honeydews to supplement the market.
ALERT: Lower yields and Mexican border issues are keeping watermelon prices elevated, while warmer national temperatures have boosted demand. Offshore melons are nearly finished, leaving Mexican melons as the main supply until domestic production begins.
Onions are currently available from WA, ID, and UT, with demand on the rise as we monitor quality late in the storage season. Additional supplies are coming from Texas and Mexico. Market movement is being driven by transportation costs, which have increased by $1 week-over-week in many areas.
Onions are currently available from WA, ID, and UT, with demand on the rise as we monitor quality late in the storage season. Additional supplies are coming from Texas and Mexico. Market movement is being driven by transportation costs, which have increased by $1 week-over-week in many areas.
ALERT: Bell pepper supplies remain extremely tight across all regions, with only slight improvement expected in Florida as harvests slowly recover from weather delays and freeze damage. Mexico continues to see limited crossings and smaller sizing, while colored peppers remain especially short after early picking as greens. More meaningful relief is still 2–3 weeks out, with volumes expected to improve by mid-April as Florida and California ramp up, though pricing will likely stay elevated until supplies rebuild.
Pineapple supplies are tightening as Easter demand rises, with potential port delays expected. Availability of 6/7ct crowned sizes is very limited, and it may take 2–4 weeks for improvement. Overall supply is slightly lower than recent weeks, adding pressure on meeting Easter volumes. Contract orders remain a priority. Crownless 8ct and 10ct sizes are tight, and organic pineapples remain limited. Bunker fuel costs will influence pricing in Q2.
Supplies and demand are strong, with sheds making deals on 40ct, 50ct, and #2s. Smaller counts are tightening. 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 freeze damage. Trucking and a $1 fuel increase in some regions are driving the market.
Squash is currently abundant, with strong production from Mexico and Florida ensuring ample supply. Favorable weather has boosted Florida’s spring harvests, while Sonoran growers maintain steady volume. Markets are trending lower, with promotable volumes expected through May, making squash ideal for aggressive promotion.
Imported peaches, plums, and nectarines are winding down. Nectarines are finished, and peaches are nearly done, with only small amounts expected by week’s end. Imported plums will taper through April. Imported kiwi from Greece and Italy remain steady to slightly higher, while Chilean kiwi is expected in 2–3 weeks. Domestic kiwi is finished.
Supplies of Roma, round, and grape tomatoes are tightening due to freeze damage, weather, and production challenges in Florida and Mexico. Roma and round tomatoes face the most pressure, with limited Florida volume and early Sinaloa season endings. Grape tomatoes are more available but also tightening. Quality is inconsistent, and supply is expected to remain constrained in the coming weeks.
*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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