For the week ending July 5, 2025
The apple market remains steady overall. While no varieties are fully finished, availability is lighter on Golds, Pinks, Honeys, and Cosmics as some shippers wind down. Pricing has stayed mostly firm. New crop arrivals begin in August, with Ginger Golds and Galas mid-month, followed by Honeycrisp at month’s end.
Asparagus supplies from both Mexico and Peru remain limited on larger sizes. Over the next few weeks, expect mostly Small and Standard sizes. Markets for larger sizes are strengthening, with slight upward pressure on smaller sizes due to increased demand.
Markets on 48ct fruit remain slightly stronger, while 60ct and 70ct sizes continue to perform well as we transition from the Normal crop to the Flora Loca crop. Shippers are managing a mix of both crops and working carefully to keep them separate in cartons to avoid check boarding. The new crop is expected to peak on 48/60ct sizes, with very clean fruit and minimal #2 grade—typical for this time of year. The California season is gradually winding down and is expected to finish in about a month. Offshore arrivals continue on both coasts.
Product remains very tight due to cooler temperatures and reduced Mexican crossings, resulting in a market where demand continues to exceed supply.
Good availability persists from the PNW, New Jersey, and Michigan. Markets remain steady with slight downward pressure.
Steady supplies continue from Mexico, while harvests remain light on the Central California Coast.
Unexpected harvest increases in Salinas and Watsonville have saturated the market. New crop fruit from Santa Maria has just begun, with southern volumes set to rise in the coming weeks.
Broccoli supplies have improved across all regions, with good availability and quality expected to continue into next week.
Sprout supplies remain extremely tight, with elevated pricing as demand continues to outpace supply. Production out of Oxnard is nearly complete. Quality issues persist, including elongated cores and stems, light insect damage, and occasional internal discoloration.
Cauliflower supplies and quality are strong, with the market expected to remain steady on the lower end heading into next week.
Harvest in the Bakersfield region is going strong and will continue through the end of July before transitioning to the summer season in Cuyama/Lancaster, which runs through November. Quality and sizing remain strong, though the jumbo market has tightened slightly as other regions finish.
Star Rubies are available and peaking on 40ct and larger sizes, shipping out of both Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
Markets remain strong across the board. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) has finished, with District 2 (Ventura County/Oxnard) now the primary growing region. Sizes 165ct and smaller are extremely limited. Choice grade will dominate this crop, with less Fancy grade available due to growing conditions. Offshore fruit arrivals have been delayed until late July or early August, while Mexico is expected to ramp up production next week.
Size distribution is evening out, with peak volume centered around 175/200 and less availability at the smaller and larger ends (110/250). Fruit availability remains good, but increased grading is needed due to recent weather challenges like heat and rain. Total volume is expected to decline by mid-August, which may lead to rising prices around that time.
Valencias are the main variety, currently peaking on 113ct and 138ct as the season begins, with sizes expected to increase as it progresses. Gas times of around 48 hours are being used to enhance color. Brix levels are in the 12-13 range, and the fruit is eating very well.
Supplies remain steady this week in both the north and south. The market is flat, with all sizes readily available. Shippers are flexible on large-quantity orders, so promotion is encouraged. Overall quality remains above average across the industry.
Baja is experiencing good production and quality. Eastern supply remains limited due to weather, while cucumbers are also crossing through South Texas with adequate availability.
Eggplant markets are slightly higher, driven by the Eastern transition and weather-related challenges in California, which are keeping demand strong.
The new California garlic crop begins this week, showing good quality. Supplies from Mexico continue alongside the California harvest.
Domestic grapes are in full swing from Bakersfield to Fresno, with good quality overall. Early varieties are running small in size, but expect a split market as larger varieties come online next week.
Green onion supplies and quality remain strong this week. The market is expected to stay steady and on the lower side heading into next week.
NOW STOCKING & SHIPPING MICHIGAN GROWN DILL & CILANTRO
All escalations on value-added lettuce items have ended as the market shifts. While pricing gaps exist, they are expected to close later this week. Production remains strong throughout both Northern and Southern California, with Mexico also increasing output. Overall quality is good, with weights ranging from 39 to 43 pounds across regions. Minor reports of misshapen heads have been noted but remain minimal.
The market remains steady for romaine, green leaf, and red leaf. Aside from minor tip and fringe burn, overall quality is above average. Romaine heart production is expected to increase throughout the week, while demand remains soft. Weights and sizing on leaf items continue to be above average industry-wide, with pricing expected to stay competitive MI grown Red Leaf & Green Leaf in stock & shipping. MI grown.
Tender leaf items continue to show good overall quality across all fields, with only minimal discoloration and tip burn. The market and supplies are expected to remain steady.
Strong supplies are keeping the kale market steady, with quality remaining excellent. The market is expected to remain stable into next week.
The domestic cantaloupe market is strong on the West Coast, as heavy rains in regional growing areas have shifted demand westward. Warm weather is driving excellent quality, with fruit peaking on 9s and 12s and Brix levels ranging from 13–16. Jumbos and smaller sizes are becoming limited. Retail demand is high, and suppliers are gearing up for back-toschool volume.
The domestic honeydew market is strong on the West Coast, with heavy rains in regional growing areas shifting demand west. Warm weather is producing high-quality fruit, peaking on 5s. Retail demand remains strong as suppliers prepare for back-to-school volume. Nogales melons are now finished for the season.
Domestic watermelons are currently available in North Carolina, Indiana, and Central California. Recent rain on the East Coast has impacted supply, shifting demand westward for the week. Prices are expected to remain stable, though supplies are tightening due to strong retail pull. We are currently stocking and shipping US southern region watermelons.
Yellow Meat (volleyball size) in stock and ready to ship.
Onions are currently available from California and New Mexico, with a mix of U.S. and Mexican crops in New Mexico. Demand remains strong as yields from Mexican onions begin to decline. Red and white onion markets have stabilized over the past week. Idaho’s season is expected to start slowly next month. Contracts are available for the upcoming storage season.
The Washington pear season is essentially finished. California Bartletts are now in full production, with a strong crop and expected good quality. California Bosc and Red Pears are scheduled to begin during the last week of the month.
Markets remain steady at elevated levels. Limited East Coast supply— due to weather and delayed local programs—has shifted demand to California, where prices are rising as new fields come into production. Quality out of California remains strong. Red bells are especially tight, with overall supply expected to remain limited for the next two weeks.
Costa Rican pineapples are facing increased demand and limited inventory of crownless fruit. Longer flowering times are delaying harvests, while heavy thunderstorms are currently affecting growing regions in Costa Rica.
Idaho 40-70 count potatoes are tight through August; Burbank available all summer. Prices in ID and CO expected to rise. New Eastern ID harvest begins mid-August. CO potatoes very limited. Color potatoes from CA, ID, TX; MN starts 7/21. Red demand strong; yellows steady. East Coast sweet potatoes tight until September new crop.
Squash supplies have improved as more local deals come online. Quality is strong, with promotable volumes readily available. MI grown yellow squash and MI grown zucchini is now in stock and shipping.
Peaches, plums, and nectarines are in good supply with a steady market. Specialty items like donut peaches and pluots are also available. The imported kiwi market remains steady at elevated prices and is expected to continue until California’s season starts in October. Washington cherries have passed their peak, and the market is firming.
Eastern production is ramping up, with active harvests in Tennessee and Virginia and additional supply expected next week. California supply is good, though some heat-related quality issues are being reported. Mexico remains steady. The Tomato Suspension Agreement ended on July 14, removing the established floor price.
*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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