For the week ending August 22, 2026
School demand and limited availability are putting upward pressure on the apple market. Reds, Golds, and Grannys are all seeing higher prices. Fujis and Pinks are mostly steady, but supplies remain light. Gala is the bright spot, with the new crop harvest underway and the market remaining stable.
ALERT: Asparagus supply remains tight, keeping prices elevated despite steady demand. Mexico continues to face quality issues, while Central Mexico is expected to finish within two weeks. Peru is also seeing significant supply and quality challenges, with strong demand from Asia and Europe adding pressure. Container arrivals fell 10% this week to 70 FCL, further tightening the market.
Markets are higher on 48ct and larger, while 60ct and 70ct are lower, with Flora Loca currently the main crop. Dry matter/oil content is around 24%, resulting in a longer ripening time compared to the current end-of-season Negra crop. California and Peru are also producing.
Blackberry markets remain unchanged from last week, with steady supplies from California, CEMEX, and Oregon. Demand remains light.
The PNW and Michigan are nearing the end of production, with September marking the end of most U.S. production. Peruvian and Mexican production should begin to dominate the market by mid-September.
Strong supplies are coming from Baja and CEMEX, while California production is beginning to increase with warmer temperatures.
ALERT: Strawberry demand currently exceeds supply, with very limited open market fruit as shippers focus on contracts and existing commitments. This tight market is expected to continue through August as Salinas and Watsonville experience a short production gap caused by July’s heat. Santa Maria production should begin next week, with Baja and Central Mexico expected to start in September.
MARKET ON WATCH
Broccoli supplies remain tight as recent fields come forward while shippers transition to younger fields. Expect the market to strengthen heading into next week.
Brussels sprout supplies remain steady with overall good quality. Expect the market to increase slightly as demand begins to pick up.
Cauliflower supplies are very good across all growing areas this week. Expect the market to remain steady heading into next week.
Bakersfield is currently the primary growing region, with good sizing and strong availability across all carrot pack sizes.
ALERTS on Lemons and Small-Sized Navels
Star Ruby are available, peaking at 48ct, with shipments coming out of Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
The lemon market remains elevated due to limited availability and strong demand. Supplies are expected to stay tight, keeping prices firm in the near term. Offshore fruit is becoming available on both coasts, while District 2 (Ventura County/Oxnard) is in full production and supplying the majority of the fruit.
Lime crossings remain steady. Supply is expected to remain stable over the next three weeks before tightening, with weather continuing to impact U.S. No. 1 yields. As Mexican production declines, Colombian imports will help supplement supply, while Peru’s new season begins in September/October.
The California Valencia crop is heavily weighted toward larger sizes, with production peaking on 56ct and 72ct fruit. Small sizes, particularly 113ct and 138ct, are extremely limited and expected to remain tight through the end of the season. Flexibility with size and grade will be necessary to maintain consistent coverage, with substitutions to larger sizes likely. Suppliers will continue to manage supply around contract size averages. Please communicate these sizing constraints to schools and DOD programs and encourage acceptance of 88ct or 72ct fruit.
The market remains unchanged and is expected to stay steady throughout the week. Supplies are consistent from Northern and Southern California, with increased production of smaller sizes. All sizes should be available to meet demand, and some shippers are flexing. Quality is generally good, with minor seeder issues reported industry-wide. Insect pressure remains minimal but is still being seen sporadically.
Markets remain mostly steady, with ample promotional opportunities despite slightly lighter Baja production. New York volume ramps up this week with excellent quality, while local Midwest supplies continue to increase.
New Jersey production has increased, easing the market, while California remains steady with improved supply. Promotable volume from the East Coast and Midwest is expected over the next several weeks.
We are now in the new 2026 California crop, which is expected to continue through late September.
The California grape market remains mostly steady. Early varieties, including Flames and Sugraones, are nearly finished, while summer varieties such as Krissy and Timpson are reaching full production. Most shippers are peaking on Large and Extra Large sizes across red and green seedless varieties. Barring significant weather issues, the market should remain steady, with excellent availability and promotable pricing.
Green onion supplies remain good overall, with the market expected to stay steady into next week, weather permitting.
Supplies are plentiful across both Northern and Southern California, with shippers flexing and encouraging promotions. Load volume is available, with good weights and sizing. With schools starting across the country, this is an excellent time to promote, and no offer is unreasonable. Strong production is expected to continue through at least this week.
Strong supplies of romaine, green leaf, and red leaf are expected throughout the week, with the best availability coming from the Salinas Valley. Weights and sizing should be above average, while romaine hearts are also in excellent supply with good pricing across all packs. Minimal fringe burn is being reported.
Spinach, arugula, and spring mix supplies are very good for normal business, with good overall quality.
Kale supplies and quality remain mostly good, with conditions expected to stay steady into next week.
Domestic Cantaloupes are loading from Central California as we transition to new fields in the “Westside region.” Product has been peaking on 9ct with good supplies and deals available on the new fruit.
Domestic honeydews are shipping from Central California as we transition to new fields in the Westside region. Fruit is peaking on 5ct, with good supplies and promotional opportunities available on the new crop.
Watermelon demand remains steady as we come off the holiday ADS. Supplies are available from California, the Southeast, and Texas.
MARKET ON WATCH
Onions will continue loading from Central California and New Mexico through the remainder of the summer season. Lower yields are keeping prices elevated, with freight also driving the market. These conditions are expected to continue until new Pacific Northwest supplies become available. Winter storage onions are available from Washington.
Washington pear growers are packing and have begun shipping, while the California Bartlett season is running 2–3 weeks ahead of normal. Some Delta shippers have already finished harvest, with only a couple weeks of Bartlett shipping remaining, while the Mountain District has begun harvesting.
California markets remain soft, with steady production, light demand, and pressure from lower East Coast pricing. East Coast supplies are currently strong, but recent heavy rains and heat are expected to impact quality and yields in the coming weeks.
Pineapple supplies are expected to tighten significantly by the end of August and remain limited through early November. Contract orders should remain covered, but open-market availability will be tight. 6ct and 7ct crowned fruit are improving, while crownless 8ct and 10ct and organic pineapples remain very tight.
ALERT: Large potato sizes are tightening as the season progresses, with lower pack-outs and storage issues reducing availability. Lead time will be needed to secure product. Washington potatoes are showing great quality, peaking on mid sizes, while large and smaller sizes remain tight. Florida colored potatoes have another week or two, with yellows tight and reds in better supply. North Carolina sweet potatoes will remain limited until new crop.
Zucchini and gray squash supplies remain plentiful, while yellow squash continues to command premium pricing due to tighter availability. New Jersey and New York are seeing strong production with promotable volumes, though August heat could tighten Western supplies. DELBENE IS STOCKING AND SHIPPING MI GROWN YELLOW SQUASH & ZUCCHINI.
Peaches, plums, and nectarines are all in full production. Peach and nectarine sizing has improved significantly, with very limited small fruit available. Small plums remain plentiful and attractively priced, offering excellent value. The Chilean kiwi market has strengthened on lighter supplies and will remain the primary source until California production resumes in October.
Tomato supplies remain adequate, with weather-related quality issues improving as regional production expands. California and Baja continue providing strong volume, while Virginia leads grape tomato production with good quality. Central Mexico and Baja are expected to increase production in the coming weeks, further improving 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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