For the week ending April 26, 2025
The apple market is generally stable, though a few varieties have seen minor price declines. Foodservice sizes of Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, and Pink Lady apples are widely available. However, there are two notable exceptions: Cosmic Crisp and Honeycrisp. Although this year’s Cosmic Crisp crop is larger than last year’s, the fruit tends to be on the larger side, making smaller sizes (100s and below) less available. In contrast, the Honeycrisp crop is down by over 35%, driving prices well above the usual foodservice range.
The apple market is generally stable, though a few varieties have seen minor price declines. Foodservice sizes of Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, and Pink Lady apples are widely available. However, there are two notable exceptions: Cosmic Crisp and Honeycrisp. Although this year’s Cosmic Crisp crop is larger than last year’s, the fruit tends to be on the larger side, making smaller sizes (100s and below) less available. In contrast, the Honeycrisp crop is down by over 35%, driving prices well above the usual foodservice range.
Markets remain on the high side with no signs of it coming down any time soon. Size structure remains the same as it was before, peaking on 60ct and smaller sizes with 48ct and larger being priced higher. Minimal harvest next week due to Holy Week in Mexico. California season is in full swing. Peak sizes are in the medium size range (48ct and 60ct). Peru is beginning to arrive in a light way on both coasts and expected to ramp up closer to May.
Post Easter supplies are increasing out of Santa Maria and Oxnard. Light numbers of fruit are beginning to arrive on the market out of the Salinas and Watsonville areas. The full mixed berry line up should be available in the North in 2 to 3 more weeks.
Very light numbers are coming in from CMex as that area begins to downtrend. We are expecting very light numbers initially out of Baja and Florida to be available this week but those numbers will increase as we approach May.
Very light numbers are coming in from CMex and Baja those numbers will increase as we approach May.
Product is still coming primarily from Central Mexico and Baja. We are seeing product being rejected back to the growers due to quality specifications not being met. These rejections continue to cause shortages for some Texas and West Coast shippers. Red cell and soft fruit are the primary issues we are seeing. California production should begin early next month.
Broccoli supplies are good this week with good quality. Look for this market to stay steady going into the weekend.
Brussels Sprouts are light this week. Labor shortage is the big issue this time of year with harvesters taking time off for Holy Week in Mexico. The extended hot weather in Mexico has also caused damage to the plants and stunted the growth causing a smaller size structure to the Brussels. Look for this market to go up going into the weekend.
Harvest in the desert Imperial Valley growing region is going strong and the outlook continues to look positive. Lake Park, GA is shipping with volume w/ chunks, cellos, jumbos, and babies and is expected to run through May unless mother nature has a say in things.
Cauliflower supplies in the Salinas Valley are tightening up. Fields are behind with the cooler weather. Look for this market to slowly go up going into the weekend.
Markets are firming up across the board due to the recent rain events helping the fruit size up. We’re seeing 140ct and smaller tighten up a bit. Shippers are beginning to keep an eye on numbers. Small fruit is expected to remain snug until District 2 ramps up with more volume around June. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) is the main growing region, with District 2 (Ventura County/Oxnard) supporting with minimal volume.
The market is steady to slightly higher as we near Easter holiday. Fruit peaking on smaller sizes 200s/230s, larger fruit 110/150ct remain limited. Offshore fruit is available but may be subject to tariffs for fruit coming from Columbia and Peru. Expect an active market thru Cinco de Mayo.
California Red’s are in the warehouse now. Known for their vibrant pink to deep red flesh and sweet, slightly tangy flavor. Grown in California Red’s are especially popular for their high sweetness and juicy texture.
Peak sizes have moved into more of the 72ct and larger sizes as we are now into the late season navels. Markets are strengthening on the smaller sizes due to sizing increasing. Brix are in the 13 range. Valencia’s are expected to come into play end of April / Early May. Mandarins – markets are firming up here as well, but there are still some deals out there. Offshore expected to come into play out west around the June/July timeframe.
Pineapple supply will remain tight and is not expected to improve until the end of April with peak volumes anticipated in May. Over the next 3-4 weeks, flexibility in sizes will be required to manage supply and demand. Costa Rican pineapples are the primary source, with contracted business taking priority. Large crownless pineapples are in high demand, and lower yields are expected due to rain until mid-April. This will likely continue to affect availability and pricing in the short term.
Good supplies of this commodity is expected for the week. Demand is moderate at best. Large sizing will have the best availability. Loading in Salinas will constitute an extra charge as this commodity is likely coming from the Santa Maria /Oxnard region. The quality continues to be above average, industry wide.
South Florida is steadily supplying cucumbers from spring crops, expected to last another four weeks. New harvests from regions like Georgia will begin soon in early May. Quality has been good although a lot of In Mexico, production remains stable, with Baja delivering the best quality among growing areas.
Eggplant production is light but expected to improve within a few weeks in Central FL. In Mexico, sizing trends toward smaller 24-count eggplants, with quality rated as fair. Sinaloa’s production is expected to decline by mid-May, while new crops from the Coachella, CA region will start and help meet market demand.
Garlic quality continues to be good, and supplies are expected to remain strong in the weeks ahead.
Grape prices are starting to rise. Particularly on quality green grapes. It is a two-tiered market with troubled fruit selling at a discount. Red grapes are also increasing in price but at a slower rate than greens. Again, with a wide range in quality and price.
Green onion supplies are very good keeping the market steady. Look for this market to stay steady going into the weekend.
Salinas is in production with all shippers, while very little remains in Yuma. Huron will have supplies at the beginning of the week, and some shippers may harvest until the end of the week. There has been some reports of slight insect damage and misshapen heads, but the overall quality continues to be above average. The weights are being reported at thirty-eight-forty three pounds. Production will continue out of Santa Maria as well.
Good supplies of romaine as well as green and red leaf is expected out of the Salinas region. Yuma and Huron is finished. Demand is fair. There will be moderate to light supplies of leaf items out of Santa Maria. There will be ample supplies both north and south on romaine hearts to meet demand. Aside from minimal fringe burn being reported, the quality looks good to begin the Salinas season. Good weights are being reported on most leaf items.
Supplies and quality are good on all Lettuce Tender Leaf. The weather has been ideal for steady supplies to start the Salinas season. Look for this market to stay steady going into the weekend.
Kale supplies and quality are good. Look for this market to stay steady going into the weekend.
The Cantaloupe market is strong due to recent retail ads. Melons from Guatemala are impacted by the universal tariffs and price strategies are being reviewed. The spring crop from Guatemala is currently available and peaking on larger sizes. Mexican cantaloupes and honeydews are also peaking on large sizes. New fields from Mexico will be available at the end of April. The Domestic Melon season is on pace to start last week of May if not sooner.
The Honeydew market is steady due to recent retail ads. Honeydews from Guatemala are impacted by the universal tariffs and price strategies are being reviewed. Mexican honeydews are also peaking on large sizes. New fields from Mexico will be available at the end of April. The Domestic Melon season is on pace to start last week of May if not sooner.
The offshore watermelon season will slowly be coming to an end. Mexican watermelons are increasing in supply due to the spring harvest. Florida domestic watermelons have just started, with good quality. Demand remains light.
Onions are available from Idaho and Texas. The quality of Idaho’s storage crop remains favorable. Texas rain impacted the new crop in Edinburg, but it is expected to rebound this week. The Imperial Valley season will begin on end of April and New Mexico start of May if not earlier. Jumbo white onions remain limited and are being imported from other regions and Mexico, with contracts available in CMS.
Vidala Onions have arrived. Straight from Sweet Onion City- a sure sign Spring has arrived!
Pears are currently in short supply. We won’t see a proper domestic influx until mid-July, when California’s new Bartlett crop shows. Washington’s pear production is down anywhere from 25% to 50%. Bosc pears are finishing for the season, leaving Anjou as the variety to use. Imported Bartletts are arriving on both coasts.
Pears are currently in short supply. We won’t see a proper domestic influx until mid-July, when California’s new Bartlett crop shows. Washington’s pear production is down anywhere from 25% to 50%. Bosc pears are finishing for the season, leaving Anjou as the variety to use. Imported Bartletts are arriving on both coasts.
The market is steady this week. Pricing has been stable distributors are looking for DLVD versus FOB pricing. Color potatoes are available from FL, ID and ND. Sweet potatoes are available from NC, Arkansas and California. Mississippi ending due to short crop.
Imported peaches and nectarines are done or nearly done for the season. Plums will continue to arrive on both coasts throughout most of May. Moderate supplies and light demand will keep this market manageable for the balance of the month. The kiwi market is steady as domestic fruit is now being supplemented by imports from Italy and Greece. Chilean kiwi are starting. Domestic Stone Fruit will start in late April with Cherries and Apricots leading the charge. Peaches and Nectarines will follow in Mid-May. Plums will start late May or early June depending on location.
South Florida farms have good zucchini supply with yellow more limited. Zucchini quality is strong, while yellow squash has some scarring. Western production is shifting from Sinaloa to Sonora, with Obregon already in season. The Eastern region has more zucchini than yellow squash, both of good quality. If quality, supply and markets permit season may run thru early May.
Tomato production is improving across Florida and Mexico. In Florida, better weather has boosted supply and quality with upcoming transitions to Ruskin/Palmetto. Mexico continues to provide steady volumes and good quality across major regions, though some areas show minor quality issues due to past heat. New fields in Mexico are expected to support consistent supply 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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