For the week ending August 15, 2026
The apple market is expected to remain relatively steady over the next few weeks. Golden Delicious supplies continue to tighten, driving prices higher as shippers wrap up the season. Red Delicious inventories are also declining, while Gala and Granny Smith supplies remain adequate. Shipments of the new Gala crop are expected to begin shortly. Fuji and Pink Lady supplies continue to run lighter than normal, and prices could strengthen as demand increases with the start of the school season.
ALERT: Mexican asparagus supplies remain tight, with demand continuing to outpace available volume. Central Mexico is expected to finish earlier than normal by mid-August, creating a supply gap through late August and September, while additional production later this fall is not expected to significantly improve availability until October. Peruvian supplies also remain well below projections due to lower yields and weather-related quality issues, with tight production expected to continue as the industry transitions to southern growing regions. Overall, supplies are expected to remain limited, particularly on larger sizes, keeping prices elevated into the fall.
Markets are stronger for 48-count and larger fruit, while 60-count and 70-count sizes are trading lower. Flora Loca is currently the primary crop. Dry matter/oil content is averaging around 24%, resulting in a slower ripening process compared to the current late-season Negra crop. California and Peru are also in production.
Blackberry production remains steady across Central Mexico, Oregon, and California, keeping markets flat.
Good volume continues to flow into the fresh market from Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Michigan, holding markets steady at lower levels.
Strong supplies are coming out of Baja, while California production is beginning to pick up with warmer temperatures.
ALERT: Strawberry markets are up sharply this week as supply tightens. A small growing gap has emerged following heavy diversion to processors last week, while cooler weather has further curtailed overall yields. Santa Maria remains about a week away from meaningful volume.
Broccoli supplies are starting to tighten as recent fields finish early, creating a gap before younger acreage matures. Expect markets to trend upward heading into next week.
Brussels sprout supplies are strong with solid overall quality. Expect markets to remain steady, with potential upward pressure heading into next week.
Cauliflower supplies are strong across all regions this week, with markets expected to remain steady heading into next week.
Bakersfield is serving as the primary growing region, with strong availability and good sizing across all carrot packs.
ALERTS on Lemons and Small-Sized Navels
Star Ruby grapefruit are currently available, peaking on 48s with shipments moving out of Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
The lemon market remains elevated due to limited availability and sustained strong demand, keeping pricing firm for the near term. District Two (Ventura/Oxnard) is currently in full production and driving the bulk of domestic volume, while offshore fruit is now arriving on both coasts to help offset tight supplies.
Lime crossings remain steady, with supply expected to hold stable over the next three weeks before tightening. Weather conditions continue to impact U.S. No. 1 yields. As Mexican production tapers off, Colombian imports will help backfill volume ahead of Peru’s new season launch in September/October.
The California Valencia orange crop is heavily skewed toward larger fruit, peaking on 56s and 72s. Small sizes (113s and 138s) are extremely limited and will remain tight for the rest of the season. To ensure full order coverage, flexibility on size and grade is required, with substitutions to larger fruit necessary to fill gaps. Suppliers are strictly enforcing contract size averages to manage volume, so please alert school and DOD accounts to shift demand toward 88s or 72s.
The California Valencia orange crop is heavily skewed toward larger fruit, peaking on 56s and 72s. Small sizes (113s and 138s) are extremely limited and will remain tight for the rest of the season. To ensure full order coverage, flexibility on size and grade is required, with substitutions to larger fruit necessary to fill gaps. Suppliers are strictly enforcing contract size averages to manage volume, so please alert school and DOD accounts to shift demand toward 88s or 72s.
Markets remain mostly steady with ample promotional opportunities despite slightly lighter Baja production. New York volume is ramping up this week with excellent quality, while local Midwest supplies continue to expand.
New Jersey production has increased, easing market pressure, while California remains stable with improved volume. Promotable supplies are expected across the East Coast and Midwest over the next several weeks.
Shipments transitioned to Mexican peeled garlic starting June 22, 2026, and will remain on Mexican product until the new California crop begins in late July to early August.
California grape markets remain mostly steady as early varieties like Flames and Sugraones finish up. Summer varieties including Krissy and Timpson are hitting full production, with most shippers peaking on Large and Extra-Large sizes across both red and green seedless. Barring major weather disruptions, expect steady pricing, excellent availability, and promotional opportunities ahead.
Green onion supplies remain strong overall, with markets expected to hold steady into next week, weather permitting.
Favorable weather has driven strong production out of both Salinas and Santa Maria. Shippers are flexing on pricing, creating prime promotional opportunities, with robust supplies expected for at least the next two weeks. Carton weights are running solid at 39–44 pounds, alongside good color and texture.
Green leaf, red leaf, and romaine will see strong availability throughout the week, alongside excellent supplies on romaine hearts. Fringe burn remains minimal. Lengths and carton weights across all leaf items are running above average with multiple suppliers. Shippers are actively flexing, making this an ideal time to promote heavily over the next few weeks.
Spinach, arugula, and spring mix supplies remain strong for standard demand, with good overall quality reported across all items.
Kale supplies and quality remain strong overall, with market conditions expected to hold steady into next week.
Domestic cantaloupes are loading out of Central California as harvest shifts into new fields in the Westside region. Production is peaking on 9- count fruit, with good overall supplies and favorable deals available on new-crop volume.
Domestic honeydews are loading out of Central California as harvest transitions into new fields in the Westside region. Production has been peaking on 5-count fruit, with good overall supplies and favorable deals available on new-crop volume.
Watermelon demand remains steady coming off the holiday ADS period. Supplies are actively available across California, Texas, and the Southeast.
MARKET ON WATCH
Central California and New Mexico will handle onion loading for the rest of the summer season. Lower yields are keeping market pricing elevated, a trend expected to persist until new-crop Pacific Northwest supplies hit the market. High freight costs are currently driving the market, though winter-over supplies are actively available in Washington.
Washington pear growers have begun packing and shipping new-crop supplies this week. In California, the Bartlett deal is running 2–3 weeks ahead of normal timing; while some Delta district shippers have wrapped up harvest, significant shipping volume remains available for several weeks. Meanwhile, harvest is actively underway on Mountain district Bartletts.
California markets remain soft due to steady production, light demand, and continued pricing pressure from lower East Coast markets. East Coast supplies remain strong in the near term; however, heavy rainfall and recent heat are expected to affect quality and reduce yields as the market moves into early August.
MARKET ON WATCH
Supplies, demand, and quality remain steady with markets holding firm to slightly higher, prioritizing contract business. Larger 6- and 7-count crowned pineapples are improving, while 8-counts hold steady; crownless and organic options remain tight. Total volume will drop over the next two weeks, leading to very tight supplies through mid-October.
MARKET ON WATCH
Large potatoes are tightening up as dropping pack-outs impact availability late in the season. Warm winter weather affected storage quality, leaving some potatoes unrunnable and shortening total volume— lead times are recommended to cover orders. Washington is packing excellent quality with volume peaking on mid-sizes, though large and small counts remain snug. Florida colored potatoes have 1–2 weeks left, with yellows tight and reds in better shape. North Carolina sweet potato supplies will stay limited until new crop arrives.
Zucchini and gray squash remain plentiful, while tighter supplies continue to keep yellow squash priced at a premium. New York and New Jersey are seeing strong production with promotable volume, though late-summer heat could begin to tighten Western supplies. DELBENE IS STOCKING AND SHIPPING MI GROWN YELLOW SQUASH & ZUCCHINI.
Peaches, plums, and nectarines are in full production. Peach and nectarine sizing has improved, leaving very little small fruit, while small plums are plentiful and attractively priced. Lighter supplies have firmed the Chilean kiwi market, which will remain the primary source until California resumes in October.
Tomato supplies remain steady as weather-related quality issues clear up with expanding harvests in Tennessee and the region. California and Baja continue to deliver strong, reliable volume, while Virginia leads grape tomato production with solid quality. Production out of Central Mexico and Baja is expected to rise in the coming weeks, further boosting market availability. DelBene Produce is stocking and shipping MI grown grape, roma, 5×5, 5×6, 4×4 2 layer tomatoes.
*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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