For the week ending August 23, 2025
The market remains mostly steady, with slight increases in some varieties. New crop apples are beginning to arrive, with early Gala and Ginger Gold varieties coming in this week.
Sizing remains tight on both coasts, with limited availability of Large, Extra Large, and Jumbo sizes. Smalls and Standards will be more readily available. Overall market prices are expected to rise due to limited supplies. In Peru, cooler weather is slowing growth, while Mexican production is in transition from Central Mexico to Baja and Guanajuato, impacted by heat and rain. Expect asparagus supplies to remain tight over the next couple of weeks.
Markets on 48ct, 60ct, and 70ct are improving as the Flora Loca crop ramps up. Shippers are keeping Flora Loca and late Normal crop fruit separate. The Normal crop is nearly done, with Flora Loca taking over. Dry matter is in the low/mid-20s, so ripening will take a bit longer. Fruit is very clean with minimal #2s, typical for this time of year. California’s season is slowing, expected to end in a few weeks. Offshore fruit continues arriving on both coasts but will taper off next month.
Availability remains tight, but additional volume from Mexico and Oregon is expected to help ease the current shortage in the coming weeks.
Product is readily available from the Pacific Northwest, Michigan, and New Jersey. The Peruvian import season is just getting underway, with small volumes beginning to arrive at ports in Los Angeles and along the East Coast.
Supplies from Central Mexico and Baja remain sporadic. Markets are expected to strengthen as demand increases with schools returning nationwide.
Production continues to steadily decline out of the Salinas and Watsonville areas. New crop fruit has started in Santa Maria, with Oxnard expected to follow in two to three weeks. However, volumes from these new regions will not be sufficient to offset the northern decline until late August, likely leading to higher market prices. Meanwhile, demand is strengthening.
Broccoli supplies and quality remain strong across all growing regions, with similar conditions expected to continue into next week.
Sprout supplies remain extremely tight, with elevated pricing as demand continues to outpace supply. Production in Salinas is gradually increasing but still lags behind expectations. Quality challenges persist, including elongated cores and stems, minor insect damage, and occasional internal discoloration.
Cauliflower supplies in Santa Maria, Mexico, and the Salinas Valley are all very good, with quality reported as strong. Expect the market to remain steady heading into next week.
Harvest has shifted to the Cuyama/Lancaster area and will continue through November. Quality and sizing remain strong.
Star Rubies are available, peaking at 40ct and larger, shipping out of Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
Markets are strong on all sizes, with only District 2 (Ventura/Oxnard) growing. Sizes 165ct and smaller are very limited. Choice grade dominates; less Fancy due to conditions. Quality is fair, with softer fruit and early decay typical for the season. Coastal winds and moisture affect fruit, but shippers are culling compromised lots. Markets are higher than last summer due to increased demand and lower imports
Prices are rising due to lighter supplies crossing through South Texas. Low yields in the growing regions are driving the increase. Expect higher prices throughout August, with smaller limes becoming increasingly limited while larger fruit remains more available.
Vals are currently peaking on 113ct and 88ct, with sizes expected to increase as the season progresses. Gas times of about 24 hours are being used to enhance color. Brix levels are around 13, and the fruit is eating very well.
Supplies are strong in Salinas, as well as Oxnard and Santa Maria, to start the week, with all sizes available. Shippers are flexible on volume orders, so promote aggressively. Aside from minor seeder presence, quality is very good industry-wide. Expect steady pricing and availability throughout the week.
Cucumber prices are down this week as supply increases from key local and regional areas including MI, OH, NY, NJ, and PA. Baja continues to produce strong volume with good quality. With steady supply expected through August, it’s an excellent time to promote. MI Cucumbers and pickling cucumbers currently in stock and shipping.
Eastern supply is light to moderate but steady, with good quality. Western supply remains limited, though Washington is expected to ramp up soon. The market remains balanced with current demand.
The new California garlic crop is progressing with good quality, while Mexican supplies continue to complement the California harvest.
The market is mostly steady at lower prices. Flames and Ivories remain the bargain varieties, while newer varieties command a slight premium. Sizing is large, and quality has been excellent.
Green onion supplies are very good, with quality remaining strong. Expect these conditions to continue into next week.
NOW STOCKING & SHIPPING MICHIGAN GROWN DILL & CILANTRO
This market is unusual, with a price gap of five to six dollars depending on the shipper. Weights in Salinas have increased, averaging 39–44 pounds. The market is expected to soften later in the week. Some shippers are flexing, so sharper deals are available. However, all value-added lettuce items remain escalated.
Romaine, along with green and red leaf, remains steady in the marketplace. Overall quality continues to be above average from most shippers, with only minor tip and fringe burn reported. Weights and leaf length remain favorable. Expect steady supplies of romaine hearts throughout the week in Salinas.
MI grown Red Leaf & Green Leaf in stock & shipping. MI grown Romaine Hearts available in limited supplies.
All tender leaf items are showing good quality and strong supplies. Expect more of the same heading into next week.
MI grown cilantro in stock and shipping.
Strong supplies and excellent quality are keeping the kale market steady, with stability expected to continue into next week.
The domestic cantaloupe market has normalized on the West Coast, with regional growers meeting demand. Warm weather is producing highquality cantaloupes, peaking on 9s and 12s with Brix levels between 13 and 16. Volume deals are available.
The Domestic Honeydew market has normalized from the West Coast. Regional growing regions have pushed demand out west. The warm weather is producing high quality Honeydew and they are peaking on 9 and 12s with Brix levels in the 13-16 range. Volume deals available.
Domestic watermelons are available in NC, Indiana, Texas, and Central California. Due to quality, demand has shifted west. Prices are expected to stay low, especially on larger fruit, until supplies tighten with increased demand. We are currently stocking and shipping Michigan Seedless watermelons.
Onions are available from CA, WA, ID, NM, and TX, with a mix of US and Mexican crops in NM. Demand remains strong as Mexican yields decline. NM supply is expected to end in 1–2 weeks, CA by month’s end. Red and white onions have stabilized. Idaho has limited supply this week; WA supply is good.
California Bartletts are in full production, with a strong crop and quality expected to be good. California Bosc and Red Pears are also available in good volume. Some Washington shippers plan to start new crop Bartletts as early as next week.
Improved supplies, along with reduced demand, are helping to stabilize the market as eastern production ramps up. Quality remains strong out of California, with coastal regions now underway, including Santa Maria, Oxnard, and Hollister. MI grown green peppers currently in stock and shipping.
Crownless pineapples remain in high demand with limited inventory. Tariff rates for certain countries will take effect on 8/7/25. Heavy thunderstorms are currently impacting growing regions in Costa Rica, so expect potential substitutions and order changes.
The Idaho market remains tight on 40–70 count through the end of August. Burbanks will be available throughout the summer. Short-term pricing increases are expected in both ID and CO. New crop out of Idaho begins the week of 8/11, with contracts ramping up by 8/25. Quality reports are excellent, thanks to ideal growing conditions. Washington’s new crop started the week of 7/28 and is also showing strong quality.
Overall supply is good, with Michigan strong and zucchini solid. Yellow squash is slightly tighter due to scarring. Baja production is picking up as the Washington season has ended, with west coast availability coming from Santa Maria and Baja MI grown yellow squash and MI grown zucchini is now in stock and shipping.
Peaches, plums, and nectarines are currently in good supply, with the market remaining steady. Specialty varieties like donut peaches and pluots are also actively in production. The imported kiwi market continues to hold steady at higher price levels and is expected to remain that way until California’s season begins in October.
Roma Tomatoes: Steady supply from TN, CA, and Mexico; Midwest volume rising soon. Quality strong. Round Tomatoes: Light but improving from TN and CA; Mexico quality steady. Grape Tomatoes: Eastern supply light; NJ, MI, and Mexico stabilizing availability.
MI grown Grape, Roma and 5×6 tomatoes , 6×6 tomatoes now in stock and shipping.
*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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