For the week ending April 19, 2025
Tariff Update:
Considering the recently imposed tariffs, we wanted to let you know that we are committed to consistently offering the highest quality of food, while recognizing how economic pressures affect your business.
Del Bene is committed to sourcing locally whenever possible and the fact that Canada and Mexico are now exempt from tariffs, majority of our products are currently unaffected.
We are communicating with our suppliers and partners to stay informed and reactive. We are hearing from suppliers that are being impacted, especially on spices and some imported grocery products.
We are here to help you find the best solutions as you navigate changing market conditions.
The apple market remains stable, with slight price declines in some varieties. Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, and Pink Lady apples in foodservice sizes are widely available. However, Cosmic Crisp and Honeycrisp are exceptions. While the Cosmic Crisp crop is larger this year, the fruit tends to be larger, reducing availability of smaller sizes. Honeycrisp production is down over 35%, causing prices to rise significantly above the usual foodservice range.
Asparagus supply from Mexico remains tight, particularly for larger sizes, due to rain and winds in Caborca affecting yields. The market remains active with lower volumes from Mexico. Peruvian production is gradually increasing, and domestic asparagus will start to come in within the next few weeks.
Markets remain high with no signs of easing. The size structure is steady, peaking at 60ct and smaller, with 48ct and larger priced higher. Harvest will be minimal next week due to Holy Week in Mexico. California’s season is in full swing, with peak sizes in the medium range (48ct and 60ct). Peru is starting to arrive on both coasts, with volume expected to increase in May.
We are experiencing a demand-exceeds-supply situation due to a shortage of quality product from Central Mexico. Much of the incoming produce is not meeting quality specifications, limiting the amount of usable transfer fruit.
There is a shortage of product coming into the U.S. from Central Mexico and Baja, with Florida production just starting in small volumes. Georgia will follow shortly, and we expect improved supplies from all regions by the last week of April. California will begin light production over the next few weeks.
Production from Central Mexico and Baja remains steady but light, with West Coast production expected to begin in early May. Easter demand is strong.
Volume is expected to increase later this week as temperatures rise. Availability remains tight due to high demand from the end of the Florida and Cmex seasons, coupled with elevated Easter demand. We are currently in a demand-exceeds-supply market through mid-next week.
Quality remains excellent, with good sizing and vibrant color. Minimal yellow or brown beads have been reported due to last week’s high desert temperatures. The market is expected to stay steady through the weekend.
Domestic and Mexico supplies remain strong, with no changes expected in overall volume. Both bulk and VA categories are excellent for promotion. While temperatures are rising in the desert growing regions, overall quality remains very good.
Harvest in the Imperial Valley is going strong, with a positive outlook ahead. Lake Park, GA is shipping volumes of chunks, cellos, jumbos, and babies, and is expected to continue through May, barring any weather disruptions.
Cauliflower supplies remain strong, with good overall quality and improved texture in recent weeks. Light insect damage and minimal black mildew have been reported, but these are not major concerns. The market is expected to stay steady with ample supplies heading into the weekend.
Markets are firming as recent rain boosts fruit size, tightening 140ct and smaller. Small fruit will remain limited until District 2 ramps up in June. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) is the main source, with minimal support from District 2 (Ventura/Oxnard).
The market remains steady with good quality, and fruit is peaking on smaller sizes, ranging from 200 to 250 ct. Offshore fruit from Colombia and Peru is available in Texas, New Jersey, and Florida.
Star Ruby are in the warehouse now. The fruit is sweet with red flesh and flowing with juice that is sweet with a hint of that classic grapefruit tartness.
Peak sizes have shifted to 72ct/88ct as we enter the late navel season. Markets are strengthening on smaller sizes as fruit sizes increase, with Brix around 13. Valencia’s are expected late May to early June. Mandarins are firming, though some deals remain. Offshore mandarins are expected to hit the West Coast around June/July.
Pineapple supply will remain tight until late April, with peak volumes expected in May. Over the next 3-4 weeks, size flexibility will be needed to balance supply and demand. Costa Rican pineapples are the main source, with contracted business taking priority. High demand for large crownless pineapples and lower yields due to rain until mid-April will continue to impact availability and pricing in the short term.
The market remains steady across all sizes, with Oxnard/Santa Maria expected to have a plentiful supply. For shipments from Salinas and Yuma, shippers are adding a delivery charge for transport from Southern California. Quality will remain consistent, as seen in recent weeks, with large 24-counts showing the best production numbers.
The market is steady to slightly lower, with production coming from Florida, Sinaloa, Sonora, Central Mexico, and Baja. Overall quality is good, with the best quality coming from Mexico.
The market is steady at moderate levels, with Florida pricing higher than the West. Moderate supplies are crossing through Nogales and South Texas.
Garlic quality remains excellent, with supplies expected to stay strong in the coming weeks.
The grape market in April will be tighter and higher-priced compared to the past few months, as the Peruvian and Chilean overlap has ended and new arrivals have slowed. Chile is expected to maintain sufficient volume to bridge the gap between South American and Mexican imports.
Green onion supplies remain strong with good quality, and the market is expected to stay steady into next week.
Yuma will have production on this commodity throughout the week. Starting Monday, Huron, Santa Maria, and Salinas are expected to be plentiful. Overall quality remains good, with weights averaging 39-43 pounds.
Production in Yuma is winding down, with this likely being the final week of harvest. Supplies in Huron will be light, while Salinas and Santa Maria will have ample supplies to meet demand. Good weather in the growing regions continues to produce above-average quality romaine, butter, and leaf lettuce. Strong supplies of romaine hearts are expected throughout the week.
The recent warmer weather in Yuma is starting to impact crops, with some uneven stands in baby leaf items as we approach the last week of harvest. Longer stems are being found in spinach fields. Overall quality will remain good, though there may be slight tip burn heading into next week.
Kale supplies are expected to be plentiful this week with good quality, and this trend is expected to continue into next week.
Guatemalan melons are affected by universal tariffs, with pricing strategies under review. The spring crop from Guatemala is peaking on larger sizes, as are Mexican cantaloupes and honeydews. New Mexican fields will be available by the end of April, and the domestic melon season is set to start in late May, possibly sooner.
Guatemalan honeydews are affected by universal tariffs, with pricing strategies under review. Mexican honeydews are peaking on large sizes, and new fields from Mexico will be available by the end of April. The domestic melon season is expected to start in late May, possibly sooner.
The offshore watermelon season is winding down, while Mexican watermelons are increasing in supply with the spring harvest. Florida domestic watermelons have just started and are showing good quality, though demand remains light.
Onions are available from Idaho and Texas, with Idaho’s storage crop maintaining good quality. Texas rain impacted the new crop in Edinburg, but it is expected to recover this week. The Imperial Valley season will start at the end of April, and New Mexico will begin in early May, if not sooner. Jumbo white onions remain limited and are being imported from other regions and Mexico, with contracts available in CMS.
Domestic pears remain in limited supply, expected to last until mid-July when California’s new Bartlett crop arrives. Washington’s pear production is down 25-50% depending on variety and region. Bosc pears are nearly finished, with Anjou now the primary variety. Imported Bartletts are available on both coasts, offering an alternative for non-domestic needs. The increased volume of imports has caused Anjou prices to level out or drop slightly.
Supplies are adequate, with South Florida and Mexican production declining. Central Florida has not picked up yet, so expect light supplies, while Georgia will begin in mid-May. Nogales is nearing the end of their deal, with more choice-grade fruit available. Coachella is set to start by mid-May.
The market is steady this week, with stable pricing. Distributors are preferring DLVD over FOB pricing. Color potatoes are available from Florida, Idaho, and North Dakota, while sweet potatoes are available from North Carolina, Arkansas, and California. Mississippi’s supply is ending due to a short crop.
Imported peaches and nectarines are nearly finished for the season. Plums will continue arriving on both coasts through mid-April, with moderate supplies and light demand keeping the market stable. The kiwi market is steady, with domestic fruit supplemented by imports from Italy, Greece, and the start of Chilean kiwi.
Supplies are strong on both coasts, with yellow squash still trailing zucchini slightly but remaining readily available. Georgia production is expected to start next month.
Supplies are increasing with the new harvest in Sinaloa and Central Florida picking up. Quality is good, with large fruit peaking.
*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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