For the week ending April 25, 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.
Extreme heat in Mexico (Caborca, Mexicali, San Luis) cut yields up to 30% and reduced quality, with supply barely meeting demand and some Sonora fields closing soon. Production will shift to Baja in April and Central Mexico by May, while Peru volumes rise despite heat-related quality concerns; supply should increase by mid-April as air freight costs climb.
Markets remain steady at lower price levels with good fruit availability on the trees and consistent demand. Peak sizing is 48ct. Dry matter/oil content is in the low 30s, and eating quality is excellent. We’ll keep you updated if there are any changes on the avocado front.
Supplies are improving but remain somewhat tight. California production is expected to begin in the last week of April.
Central Mexico production is tapering off, while California is beginning to gradually increase as we move into late April and early May. Georgia is expected to start in the first week of May. Offshore imports have finished, and the Pacific Northwest will begin production in mid-May.
TIGHT SUPPLY: Supplies remain light out of Central Mexico and Baja. California hoop house berry production is expected to begin in about two weeks. Demand remains strong amid limited availability.
Following last weekend’s rain, California shippers are stripping fruit. Some Oxnard growers have exited and are diverting fields to processing. Harvest crews in Salinas, Watsonville, and Santa Maria are slowing to protect quality, resulting in reduced yields.
Broccoli supplies continue to tighten, with the market expected to edge up next week due to lower yields from recent heat.
TIGHT SUPPLY: Brussels sprout supplies are beginning to tighten, with the market expected to edge up heading into the weekend.
Cauliflower supplies are gradually tightening heading into the weekend. The market is expected to tick slightly higher going into next week.
MARKET ON WATCH: The Imperial Valley is currently the main growing region. Availability should improve in the next 3–4 weeks as Bakersfield ramps back up, weather permitting. Limited supply out of Bakersfield pushed shippers into Imperial Valley a bit early, when product was still undersized. As a result, growers have slowed harvesting to allow for proper sizing. The carrot market has already been under pressure, and harvesting too early would have made it worse. With a few more weeks, sizing and availability should both improve.
Star Ruby are available, with peak sizing at 48ct, shipping out of Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) is supporting District 2 (Oxnard/Ventura County), which is currently the main growing region. We are seeing about 70% choice and 30% fancy due to coastal growing conditions. Sizing is peaking at 115/95/140ct. Markets are extremely tight on 165ct and smaller lemons.
The lime market has leveled off as demand eased after the holiday, but supply remains skewed to smaller sizes, with large limes still limited and higher priced. Imports from Peru and Colombia are helping stabilize the market and fill gaps amid high freight costs. Some short-term relief is possible, but a major shift isn’t expected until after Cinco de Mayo, so flexibility on sizing is recommended.
The California Navel crop is heavily skewed to larger sizes, peaking at 56ct and 72ct. Small sizes (113ct and 138ct) are extremely limited and expected to stay tight through the rest of the season and into the Valencia transition, which may start in the next few weeks. Flexibility on size and grade will be needed, with substitutions into larger Navels required to maintain coverage. Please communicate these sizing issues to schools and DOD programs and encourage acceptance of 88ct or 72ct fruit.
Expect stronger markets throughout the week for this commodity. Supplies out of Southern California are expected to be moderate. Yuma has finished, and the Salinas region is not currently producing. Large sizing will have the best availability, and quality is expected to remain above average.
MARKET ON WATCH: Mexico supply remains tight, with Baja just starting but volumes limited and priced at a premium. Eastern production is also limited. The market remains elevated as demand continues to exceed supply, with gradual relief expected in the next 1–2 weeks.
MARKET ON WATCH: Supply is limited but steady, with overall quality averaging normal levels. Availability is expected to gradually improve as spring harvests ramp up.
The California garlic crop is progressing with good quality, while Mexican supplies continue to supplement the California harvest.
The grape market continues trending upward as heavy rains in Chile have reduced remaining volume, potentially leading to an early end to the season. The green grape market has been strengthening due to declining arrivals and steady retail demand. A relative shortage of greens versus reds has shifted promotions toward 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, weather permitting.
Iceberg pricing is escalating rapidly as growers complete the seasonal harvesting transition from the Arizona-California desert region into Salinas and Santa Maria.
Recent rains in growing regions have slowed production across multiple suppliers, while processors have also purchased significant volumes of open lettuce. The market is stronger as a result. Yuma and Huron are finished, with current production coming from Salinas and Southern California. Defects including misshapen heads, discoloration, and lighter weights are being reported by multiple shippers. A wider pricing gap is expected industry-wide.
Production has been limited due to recent rainfall in the growing regions, resulting in a stronger market for romaine as well as green and red leaf. Romaine hearts are seeing moderate production. Harvesting in Yuma and Huron has finished. Smaller sizing, lighter weights, and discoloration are being reported across all leaf items.
Production has been limited due to recent rainfall in the growing regions, resulting in a stronger market for romaine as well as green and red leaf. Romaine hearts are seeing moderate production. Harvesting in Yuma and Huron has finished. Smaller sizing, lighter weights, and discoloration are being reported across all leaf items.
Kale supplies and quality remain mostly good and are expected to stay consistent into next week.
Offshore cantaloupes are available in CA, TX, FL, and the Northeast. Pricing has increased due to stronger demand as retailers take advantage of warmer temperatures and scheduled prebooks. Domestic production is expected to begin within the next month.
Offshore and Mexican honeydews are available but are expected to face challenges throughout April. Fields in Guatemala and Honduras have been impacted by plant virus issues, with Mexican honeydews helping to supplement the market.
Supply from Mexico has improved and pricing has normalized. Deals are expected as domestic watermelons begin to come on the market.
Supply from Mexico has improved and pricing has normalized. Deals are expected as domestic watermelons begin to come on the market.
Supply from Mexico has improved and pricing has normalized. Deals are expected as domestic watermelons begin to come on the market.
ALERT: All bell peppers remain limited, with Mexican supply and quality declining. Canadian greenhouse production has started but is off to a slow start due to weather, with more colored bell volume expected in the back half of April. As Coachella green bell production begins, markets should gradually soften in the coming weeks.
MARKET ON WATCH: Pineapple supplies are tightening as demand increases. Availability of 6/7ct crowned sizes is expected to be very limited, with 2–4 weeks needed for improvement. Overall supply is slightly lower than prior weeks, with contracts continuing to hold priority. Crownless 8ct and 10ct sizes remain tight, and organic pineapples are also in limited supply. Bunker fuel is expected to impact costs in Q2, with vessel delays likely to cause occasional cuts and order adjustments in the coming weeks.
Good supply and demand overall, with sheds looking to make deals on 40s, 50s, and #2s. Smaller counts are becoming harder to find. Burbank are now available, with Norkotahs as the main variety. Washington potatoes are showing strong quality, peaking on mid sizes, while large and small counts remain snug. Florida colored potatoes are limited due to the freeze. Trucking continues to drive the market, with fuel up about $1 in some regions.
Mexico has promotable volume with low pricing, though there is risk of growers abandoning fields if prices remain low. Florida rains are limiting yields, with adequate supply but prices expected to rise. Georgia is just starting, with stronger volume expected by late April.
Imported kiwi are slightly higher on lighter supplies from Greece and Italy. Chilean kiwi is expected to begin in about a week. Domestic stone fruit will start at the end of the month with light supplies of apricots, peaches, and cherries, with additional items and volume following in May.
ALERT: Tomato supply remains tight due to earlier weather impacts, with limited production in Florida and inconsistent quality and sizing from Mexico as older fields wind down. Hothouse volumes are still building and not yet enough to close the gap. Larger sizes are especially scarce, but supply is expected to slowly improve in the coming weeks as new regions come online, with new crop Jalisco 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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