For the week ending April 4, 2025
The apple market is holding steady to slightly higher as supplies continue to tighten. Retail bag programs are absorbing a significant share of smaller fruit, pushing foodservice buyers to get creative with sizing to meet their needs. Smaller sizes, 100 count and below, are especially limited in Cosmic Crisp, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Gala varieties. This trend is expected to persist until the new crop becomes available.
Minimal Peruvian asparagus shipments arrive in Miami March 27, with added air freight for Easter demand, though ocean freight quality remains a concern. Milder El Niño weather is improving outlooks, with steady supply expected by mid-to-late April. Extreme heat in Sonora and Baja cut yields 15–30%, tightening supply and impacting quality. Northern Mexico production will wind down after Easter, shifting to San Luis Rio Colorado, while Southern Baja and Central Mexico ramp up from mid-April into May.
Markets remain steady at lower levels, supported by ample on-tree supply and consistent demand. Peak sizing is 48 count, with dry matter and oil content in the low 30s, resulting in excellent eating quality. We’ll provide updates if anything changes on the avocado front.
Supplies remain very limited. Clean trim beans are suggested as a substitute until supply of French beans rebounds. Freeze in Guatemala is causing temporary yield gaps, decreasing availability and quality while driving market up.
Supplies remain tight, with most volume currently coming out of Mexico. California production is expected to begin adding limited support by mid to late April.
The industry continues to face shortages of this item from Mexico, Peru, and California. California production is expected to grow week over week heading into late April, while the PNW crop should begin in 4–6 weeks, weather permitting.
TIGHT SUPPLY:Supplies remain light from CEMEX and Baja, keeping markets elevated as demand outpaces supply. Some quality issues are still being reported.
Above-normal temperatures are causing heat-related issues in the fields, impacting yields in Salinas, Watsonville, Santa Maria, and Oxnard. Markets are firming, while Florida is essentially finished for the season due to late planting and quality concerns. This shifting demand is putting additional pressure on California supplies.
Broccoli supplies remain strong across all regions, and the market is expected to stay steady into next week.
Brussels sprout supplies remain very strong, with the market expected to stay steady and well supplied into next week.
Cauliflower supplies remain solid across all regions, with the market expected to ease slightly heading into the weekend.
MARKET ON WATCH: Harvest in the Bakersfield region has finished, with only light activity starting in the Imperial Valley. We expect overall California carrot supplies to improve in 3–4 weeks as warm, dry weather allows the crop to size up. Early harvesting from new fields, driven by the shortage in Bakersfield, resulted in smaller-than-ideal carrots. Growers had to slow harvesting to let the crop reach proper size, protecting the industry from further stress. In a few weeks, sizing should be stronger and availability much better. Peeled baby carrots from Guatemala are being affect from freezing weather conditions. Availability and quality issues are expected.
Star Ruby grapefruit are available, peaking at 48 count, and are being shipped from Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
District 3 (CA Desert/AZ) is finished. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) is now the main growing region, peaking on 115/95/140 count, until District 2 (Oxnard/Ventura) ramps up toward late March/early April. Markets are starting to rise on 165 and 200 count as the product continues to size up.
ALERT: The market remains elevated as supplies are very limited. New crop fruit is mostly small (230–250 count), with larger sizes scarce and commanding higher prices. Offshore supplies are adequate, but rain forecast in Veracruz later this week could further tighten the market.
The California Navel crop is skewed toward larger sizes, peaking on 56 and 72 count. Smaller sizes 113 and 138 count are very limited and expected to stay tight through the season and into early April Valencias. Flexibility on size and grade will be needed, with larger Navels used to fill orders. Suppliers will stick to contract size averages. Please inform schools and DOD programs and encourage 88 or 72 count acceptance.
This market is soft for this commodity. Production in Yuma is light but available, while Oxnard and Santa Maria remain the primary growing regions offering the best deals. Value-added items show no price increases, and quality and texture remain above average across most suppliers.
Overall supply is extremely short, with demand far exceeding availability and prices at historic highs. Volumes from Mexico and Honduras are light, with only limited near-term relief from Sonora. Florida’s spring crop, expected in mid-April, should provide the first meaningful improvement.
MARKET ON WATCH: Florida’s winter crop is nearly finished, with minimal production remaining. Mexico crossings are very light, keeping supply tight. Markets are expected to remain elevated until the Florida spring crop begins in early April.
The California garlic crop is progressing well with strong quality, while Mexican supplies continue to complement the harvest.
Green grape supplies are tighter on both coasts, with prices up slightly. Peru is nearly finished, and Chile is offering lighter volume. Current green grape availability meets demand, but supplies are expected to tighten later this month. Red grapes are in good supply on both coasts, with the market slightly higher.
Green onion supplies continue to improve, easing the overall market. Supplies are expected to remain steady into next week, depending on heat conditions.
Strong production is expected this week, with harvesting in Yuma, Santa Maria, and Huron. Despite warm temperatures, quality remains good, with weights averaging 39–44 pounds and very clean. Minimal discoloration and no internal burn have been reported. Suppliers are flexible on volume orders, so promote as much as possible this week.
Romaine, green leaf, and red leaf are all in good supply, with strong availability expected throughout the week. Production is active in Yuma, Santa Maria, and Huron, with Salinas starting next week. Romaine hearts remain plentiful, and shippers are flexible, so promote as much as possible. Quality across all leaf items is above average for weight, texture, and overall condition, and all value-added leaf items are off escalation.
Tender leaf items like spinach, cilantro, and arugula are in good supply, with only minor insect damage and discoloration reported. Expect availability to tighten next week as the heat wave impacts Yuma.
Kale supplies and quality remain strong, with similar conditions expected to continue into next week.
Offshore cantaloupes are available in California, Texas, Florida, and the Northeast. Pricing has increased due to strong demand, with retailers taking advantage of warmer temperatures and scheduled prebooks.
Offshore and Mexican honeydews are available but are expected to face challenges throughout March. Fields in Guatemala and Honduras have been impacted by plant viruses, leaving Mexican honeydews to help supplement the market.
Watermelon prices remain elevated due to lower yields and border challenges, while warmer national temperatures are driving higher demand. Offshore melons are nearly finished, leaving Mexican melons as the main supplier until domestic production begins.
Onions are available in Washington, Idaho, and Utah, with demand increasing as we monitor quality late in the storage season. Onions from Mexico and Texas are also available. Transportation costs are impacting the market, with fuel prices up about $1 week over week in many areas.
The pear market is gradually firming. Bartletts are mostly finished, easing pressure on Anjou. Red pears remain in adequate supply, and Bosc pears are plentiful.
Florida supply is extremely limited, with mostly lower-grade product and declining volume as the season winds down. Mexico crossings are very light, with sizing challenges and growers diverting red peppers to green, tightening future red supply. Markets are expected to remain high and tight for the next 3–5 weeks, with meaningful relief unlikely until mid-April as Coachella production begins.
Shishito pepper supply is being affected by freezing weather in Guatemala-causing supply gap and driving up price.
Pineapple supplies are tightening as demand rises ahead of Easter, putting pressure on the market. Availability of 6/7 count crowned fruit is very limited, with improvement expected in 2–4 weeks. Overall supply is slightly lower than previous weeks, making it challenging to meet Easter volumes. Contracts remain the priority. Crownless 8 and 10 count fruit are tight, and organic pineapples continue to be limited. Bunker fuel costs will be a key factor for Q2 pricing.
Supply and demand are strong, with sheds offering deals on 40 and 50 count and #2s. Smaller counts are becoming harder to find. Burbank potatoes are now available, with Norkoth as the main variety. Washington potatoes are peaking on mid sizes with excellent quality, while large and smaller counts remain tight. Florida color potatoes are limited due to the freeze. Transportation costs are impacting the market, with fuel up about $1 in some areas. in some regions.
Mexico is transitioning from Sinaloa to Sonora, with volumes expected to improve. Florida’s spring crop is starting with strong fields and growing availability. Markets are expected to ease soon as supply increases.
Imported peaches, plums, and nectarines are winding down. Nectarines are finished, and peaches are nearly done, with only small amounts expected late in the week. Imported plums will continue into April. Kiwi supplies from Greece and Italy are steady, while Chilean kiwi will begin in April. The last of the domestic kiwi has finished.
Supplies of Roma, round, and grape tomatoes are tightening due to freeze damage, weather, and production issues in Florida and Mexico. Roma tomatoes are under the most pressure, with limited volume expected into early May. Round tomatoes remain short, and grape tomato supplies are gradually tightening. Overall quality is inconsistent, and supply is expected to stay 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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