For the week ending August 30, 2025
The apple market is shifting from old crop to new. Fuji, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Cosmic Crisp, and Pink Lady are either finished or nearly finished, while supplies of Red Delicious, Granny Smith, and Gala are rapidly declining. New crop Gala and Ginger Gold are now shipping, with Gala volumes expected to increase over the next two weeks. Honeycrisp is starting slowly but is projected to be significantly heavier than last year. September will see the arrival of fresh Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Fuji, and Ambrosia.
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 conditions are expected to stay elevated due to constrained supply. In Peru, cooler weather is slowing growth, while Mexican production is transitioning from Central Mexico to Baja and Guanajuato, facing challenges from heat and rain. Asparagus supplies are expected to remain tight through the end of August.
Peak sizes are currently 48ct and 60ct, with Flora Loca now the primary crop as the old crop has mostly wrapped up. Dry matter is in the mid-20s, compared to the low 30s in the previous crop, which means the new fruit will take longer to ripen. Quality is strong, with very little #2 grade fruit, typical for this time of year. The California season continues to taper off and is expected to finish in a few weeks. Offshore fruit is arriving on both coasts, but those volumes should begin to wind down next month.
Supplies remain limited for some shippers, while others are seeing steady volumes out of Mexico and California. Transfers from Oregon are also helping to supplement availability and fill orders.
The Michigan season is coming to a close, while production continues in the Pacific Northwest. The Peruvian offshore season is just getting underway, with new arrivals primarily landing on the Eastern Seaboard. Demand for domestic blueberries is strong as schools return to session, and the market is firming across all regions.
Good supplies are coming out of both Mexico and California, with steady demand maintaining balanced market conditions.
The season is winding down in the Salinas and Watsonville areas, while Santa Maria is beginning to ramp up with new crop fruit. Ideal weather has supported production in both regions. Warmer temperatures are expected to boost output in the south but may lead to some quality issues in the northern, older crop areas. Oxnard is projected to begin harvest in 2 to 3 weeks.
Broccoli supplies and quality remain strong across all growing regions, with similar conditions expected to continue into next week. As schools return to session, the market is expected to see a slight upward trend.
Brussels sprout supplies continue to gradually improve, with good quality holding steady. The market is slowly easing, and similar conditions are expected to continue into next week.
Cauliflower supplies remain very good across all growing regions, with quality reported as strong, though some slight yellowing is noted. The market is expected to see a modest increase as demand rises with schools returning to session.
Harvest has shifted to the Cuyama and Lancaster areas, where it will continue through November. This week looks more favorable as crews are accessing fields with improved sizing. There are currently no expected sizing issues, but updates will be provided if anything changes.
Star Rubies are available, peaking at 48ct, and are being shipped from Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
Markets are strong with Ventura County/Oxnard as the only active region. Small sizes (165ct and under) remain very limited. Choice grade leads, with less Fancy available. Quality is fair, showing typical seasonal softness and scarring due to coastal conditions. Shippers are working to cull compromised fruit. Markets are higher than last summer, driven by strong demand and lower imports. Offshore and Mexican fruit arrivals are light, with Mexico expected to have reduced volume year over year.
Prices are rising sharply and expected to climb through August due to crop transitions, heavy rains, and strong demand. Peak crop volume and quality are declining until the new harvest begins. Offshore Colombian fruit is steady with good quality, with prices rising more slowly than Mexico.
Valencias are currently peaking on 88ct and expected to size up as the season progresses. Fruit requires about 24-48 hours of gas treatment to enhance color. Brix levels are around 13, with good eating quality. School demand is increasing, driving up markets on 113ct and 138ct sizes.
This market remains steady with moderate demand. All sizes are available, with large sizing offering the greatest availability. Shippers continue to accommodate large volume orders, so promoting heavily is encouraged. Production is running above average in both Salinas and Southern California, with good quality expected throughout the week.
Supply remains steady crossing through Otay and McAllen from Baja and Central Mexico, with domestic volumes stable from North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, and Tennessee. Overall quality is good. MI Cucumbers and pickling cucumbers are currently in stock and shipping.
Good availability and quality are being reported from the San Joaquin Valley. MI Eggplant is currently in stock and shipping.
The new California garlic crop is progressing with good quality, complemented by ongoing Mexican supplies.
California’s Central Valley is shifting from early-season Flames and Ivorys to mid-season varieties. Markets are expected to rise slightly on the better August grapes. Portion-pack grapes for school programs are available from multiple shippers. Domestic grapes will be available through early December, making this a prime time to promote.
Green onion supplies are very good, with strong quality expected to continue into next week.
NOW STOCKING & SHIPPING MICHIGAN GROWN DILL & CILANTRO
Lower yields and the start of the school season nationwide have driven strong markets across the industry. Multiple shippers in the Salinas Valley are seeing reduced yields due to INSV, with weights reported between 34- 39 pounds. Pricing on value-added lettuce items has escalated to the second tier and is expected to remain high throughout the week.
With schools reopening, green and red leaf lettuces, along with romaine, are seeing increased activity. Demand for romaine hearts is also stronger. Several suppliers report slight tip and fringe burn, but shippers are trimming affected areas as much as possible. Smaller sizing has led to more 30-count romaine packs. Expect markets to remain strong throughout the week.
MI grown Red Leaf & Green Leaf in stock & shipping. MI grown Romaine Hearts available in limited supplies.
Tender leaf supplies remain steady with consistently good quality. Similar conditions are expected into next week. MI grown cilantro in stock and shipping.
Kale supplies are good, with only minimal yellowing reported. The market is expected to remain steady.
The domestic cantaloupe market from the West Coast has stabilized. Increased supplies and lower demand have created a competitive environment. Warm weather is yielding high-quality fruit, with peak sizes at 9 and 12 count and Brix levels ranging from 13 to 16. Volume deals are currently available.
The domestic honeydew market from the West Coast has stabilized. Improved supplies and reduced demand have created a competitive market. Warm weather is producing high-quality honeydews, peaking on 5/6 counts with Brix levels between 13 and 16. Volume deals are available.
Domestic watermelons are available in California, Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina, and Texas. Prices are expected to remain low—especially on larger fruit—until demand picks up and supplies start to move. We are currently stocking and shipping Michigan watermelons.
Onions are currently available from California, Washington, Idaho, New Mexico, and Texas. The California season will continue through August, while New Mexico is nearing its end. Demand remains strong for USAgrown onions, with red and white varieties stabilizing. Idaho and Washington onions are now in full swing.
Washington Bartlett pears are now in season, with volumes set to rise through August. California Bartletts remain competitively priced and will continue to impact the market in the coming weeks. California Bosc and Red pears are also available.
Red bell pepper supplies are extremely tight across California, Mexico, and Canada, with strong demand keeping markets elevated through at least the next two weeks. In contrast, green bell peppers are in ample supply across California, the Midwest, and the Northeast, showing very good quality, while Mexican volumes remain seasonally low. Red bell prices remain high due to ongoing shortages. MI grown green peppers currently in stock and shipping.
Heavy thunderstorms continue to impact growing regions in Costa Rica throughout August 2025, resulting in very limited pineapple supplies that may persist for the rest of the year. Crownless pineapples remain in high demand. Prices increased starting August 17, 2025, due to tariffs, leading to expected substitutions, cancellations, and order changes. Mexican pineapples are currently available.
Idaho’s 40-70 count potatoes are tight through August, with Burbank available all summer. Prices in Idaho and Colorado remain high. New crop potatoes and contracts for 2025-2026 are available, with excellent quality. Colored potatoes come from CA, ID, TX, and WA, including new crop from Idaho.
Good supplies across many Eastern regions with fair to good quality. California production is light, but West Coast zucchini supplies are stronger. Zucchini remains the preferred choice for regular programs due to its consistency. MI grown yellow squash and MI grown zucchini is now in stock and shipping.
Peaches, plums, and nectarines are in good supply with a stable market. Imported kiwi remains steady but priced higher, likely holding until California’s season begins in October. Asian pears from Kingsburg are expected to start later this month and continue through Thanksgiving.
Roma Tomatoes: Limited supply in the East; steady California volume with good sizing; moderate supply from Mexico. Round Tomatoes: Supplies remain tight with steady production from Virginia, California, and Baja, but strong Eastern demand is driving prices higher. Grape Tomatoes: Adequate supply with improving volumes from the Southeast and Mexico; quality ranges from fair to good.
MI grown Grape and Roma 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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