For the week ending December 13, 2025
Food service sizes remain tight, with pack-outs skewed toward larger apples and limited availability of smaller fruit. Sizes 125s and 138s are available but in short supply, while 113s and 100s are more readily available.
Mexican asparagus supplies are steady with soft demand and flat pricing through late December. Strong production in Southern Baja, Sonora, and Central Mexico should maintain consistent volume, while Caborca won’t peak until mid-January. Jumbo sizes remain limited. Peruvian production is increasing, boosting volumes and XL/JBO availability, with good quality expected, though warmer weather will require careful grading.
Markets remain soft due to ample fruit on the trees and decreased demand. Aventajada is currently the primary crop being harvested and shipped, with dry matter and oil content steady in the mid-to-high 20s for both crops.
No changes from last week. Fruit supplies remain strong out of Baja and CMEX, with steady markets and good overall quality. An occasional red cell is still being observed in some packs.
Peruvian supplies remain available, and volumes from Central Mexico continue to increase. Production is also moving through McAllen, Texas. Quality from both regions has been very good, and this trend is expected to continue into late December.
TIGHT SUPPLY: Production out of Central Mexico remains steady, with no significant changes in the market.
Strawberry supplies remain light across all districts, but conditions are expected to improve toward the end of the week as volumes increase from Oxnard, Central Mexico, and Florida. Yields are steadily rising in all three growing regions. While demand remains high, order fulfillment is expected to get easier. Favorable weather over the next two weeks should help sustain this positive trend.
Broccoli supplies are slightly limited heading toward the end of the Salinas season, compounded by recent rains. The market is expected to remain steady into next week.
TIGHT SUPPLY: Processed and halved Brussels sprout supplies remain extremely limited. Salinas Valley and Oxnard regions are facing insect pressure, some decay, and a prevalence of smaller sized sprouts.
Whole Brussels sprout supplies are in good shape.
Cauliflower supplies are improving across all sizes and regions, with the market expected to gradually ease into next week.
Harvest is now underway in the Bakersfield region. Jumbo sizes remain tight due to smaller fruit, as shippers started earlier than expected because of inclement weather.
Star Rubies are available.
District 1 (San Joaquin) is starting light, with fruit still coloring and limited volume. District 3 (CA Desert/AZ) remains the main region, though volumes will decline, and 140-count and smaller sizes are very limited. Mexican fruit is also available for South Texas loading.
The lime market is tightening with lower volumes, and active markets are expected through early 2026 due to holiday demand. Large sizes are peaking now, while small sizes will peak by mid-December with the new crop. Occasional styler is showing in some lots. Prices are expected to rise for the holidays plan and book early.
Navels are in full swing as the main variety. Markets are rising on smaller fruit due to limited availability, while peak sizing is shifting toward 72- count. Current gas times are about 2 days, with brix around 12. Colder nights have helped reduce gassing times.
Light supplies for this commodity remain an industry-wide challenge. Elevated pricing on value-added products is currently in effect. Production in Yuma is not expected to begin until after Christmas. Quality concerns are minimal, with only slight seeder reported. Smaller sizes are the most limited in availability.
Mexico: Good supply this week with steady markets. Florida: Most growers are now underway; volumes are light this week but production is steady, providing adequate supply and stable markets ahead.
Georgia is finished, and Florida (Immokalee) is done. Volume is ramping in South/Central Florida and Mexico (Nogales). Slightly higher markets are expected, with high freight potentially making Florida more attractive for the East Coast.
The California garlic crop is progressing with good quality, complemented by ongoing Mexican supplies.
Domestic green grape harvest ended abruptly over the weekend, with very limited volume and questionable quality remaining. Domestic red grapes are still available this week and next, though supplies will decline quickly in December. Imports have started lightly on both coasts, with volume expected to increase significantly in the coming weeks.
Green onion supplies remain very tight due to recent rains reducing yields. The market is expected to stay strong into next week.
Supplies have improved compared to recent weeks, and Yuma production is providing moderate availability. Escalated pricing on value-added products will continue through at least the end of the week. Common defects on arrival include brown butts, discoloration, and misshapen heads. Weights are ranging from 36 to 42 pounds.
Production of romaine, as well as green and red leaf, has increased. Butter lettuce remains extremely limited in availability, and this is expected to continue throughout the week. Romaine hearts will be available but remain tight across the industry. All leaf items will stay on escalation for value-added products for at least the week. Reported quality issues include discoloration along with tip and fringe burn.
Tender leaf items remain on the tighter side due to reduced yields caused by insect pressure and recent hail. Expect supplies to remain tight throughout the week.
Kale supplies and quality remain mostly good, with similar conditions expected into next week.
The Westside deal is complete. Offshore and Mexican cantaloupes are available. Offshore cantaloupe pricing is high due to vessel delays and lower yields entering the U.S., keeping markets elevated until supplies improve. Offshore cantaloupes are peaking on 9s with excellent quality and brix levels. Mexican cantaloupes offer better sizing. Supply issues from last week’s protests in Mexico have improved this week.
Offshore and Mexican honeydews are available. Offshore pricing is elevated due to vessel delays and lower U.S. yields, keeping markets high until supplies improve. Offshore honeydews are peaking on 5s with excellent quality and brix levels.
Domestic watermelons are finished. Prices are steady, with Mexican watermelons from Nogales supplying the Midwest and East Coast. Limited supplies are available from Mexico via Texas and Nogales, impacted by last month’s rains. Offshore watermelons are also available in limited quantities.
Onions are available from WA, ID, and UT, with strong domestic demand. Prices are expected to rise as demand increases. Weather in Idaho may impact trucking, and all product is in storage. Market conditions for the rest of the year will be driven by weather and transportation. Reefers and rail are preferred; flatbeds are not recommended due to weather.
The pear market is steady, with good production of Anjou, Bartlett, Bosc, and Red pears. Foodservice sizes are readily available across all varieties.
California: Light volume and smaller sizes, with the desert deal wrapping up soon. Georgia: The season is essentially finished. Florida is slow this week but improving, and a new region (Loxahatchee) is beginning. Mexico: Volume continues to increase through McAllen and Nogales. Markets should remain steady to slightly lower after the holidays, with stronger supplies expected the first week of January, especially on colored bell peppers.
The pineapple market is settling but remains tight on 8- and 10-count crownless and organic pineapples. Expect substitutions, cancellations, and order changes for these items. Mexican production is increasing, though minimal fruit is currently being shipped to the U.S.
Harvest is complete, and storage crop supplies are steady post-holiday, though smaller counts remain tight. Burbanks are emerging, with Norkoths as the main variety. WA potatoes are high quality, peaking on mid sizes. Trucking is driving the market. New crop sweet potatoes are starting in NC.
Mexico: Zucchini volume remains strong; yellow squash is limited with wide price gaps. Florida production is increasing over the next 7–14 days. Markets are expected to ease post-Thanksgiving as demand softens and supplies improve.
Imported peaches and nectarines are expected on both coasts by mid-December. Pomegranates and persimmons are winding down, while Asian pears remain in decent supply through December. Domestic kiwi markets should stay steady at higher price levels.
Markets are steady to slightly lower post-Thanksgiving. Romaine: Florida very tight; Mexico short; quality fair-good. Grapes: East ample; Mexico lighter. Rounds: East steady; West light to moderate.
*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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