For the week ending February 01, 2025
Driscoll’s Long-Stemmed Strawberries: 4/1lb. Item#18853
Petite Sorrel Meadow Mix: A colorful blend of maroon, orange, gold & green. Meadow sorrel mix has a tart & juicy flavor, and the leaves are perfect complement to fish, salads, and even citrus flavored cocktails. 8oz.Item #TBD
Micro Begonia Hearts Mix: Mix of heart shaped pink & red begonias that pack a tart & juicy punch. Excellent stand out choice for texture, flavor & appearance. 100ct. Item#02294
Edible Cosmos: Lovely large pink, rose, maroon & white colored flowers with a mild carrot flavor can add a pop of color to salads, dress up desserts & main entrees. 50 ct. Item#01863
Basil Blossoms: Sprigs of dark purple amazingly aromatic blossoms flowers have strong flavors of mint and basil will enhance any Valentines dish or cocktail. 50 ct. Item# TBD
Micro Amaranth: 3oz. Item# 14101
Micro Bulls Blood: 4oz. Item#10916
Micro Sorrel Red Vein: 4oz. Item#14223
Herb Mint Chocolate Tops: 50ct. Item#19287
Chocolate Covered Cherries (per pound): Item#02220
Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans (per pound): Item#17991
Milk Chocolate Covered Peanuts (per pound): Item#02218
Milk Chocolate Covered Pretzels (per pound): Item#02217
Chocolate Bittersweet Block: 11lbs. Item#00889
Chocolate Dark Block: 11lbs. Item#00890
Chocolate Dark Disc: 1lb. Item#16735
Chocolate Semi Sweet Chip: 1lb. Item#17891
Chocolate Semi Sweet Chip: 10lbs. Item#14687
Chocolate Semi Sweet Chunk: 1lb. Item#17531
Chocolate White Block: 11lbs. Item#00891
Chocolate White Chip: 1lb. Item#16724
Chocolate White Disc: 1lb. Item#16734
Contact your DelBene Sales Representative today for more information.
Weather is one of the many challenges growers deal with. Weather affects yield, quality and transportation. Our suppliers are still dealing with crop issues from Tropical Storm Sara, and growers in CA & FL are also facing weather challenges.
Crops in the Oxnard & Camarillo areas are currently experiencing smoke from the Hughes & Laguna fires. Smoke is impacting field crews’ ability to harvest berries in the area.
The combination of cold temperatures with rain, freezing rain, and sleet has reached as far south as Ocala and into northern Florida. Light cold rain Subfreezing morning temps are forecasted for northern and parts of south-central Florida through the weekend. Lettuce, squash, and berry production could be affected.
Markets remain elevated across all sizes due to limited harvests leading to tight supply. Harvesting in Mexico got back to a regular schedule this past week, and the supply pipeline should stabilize in about a week. Once that happens, markets are expected to adjust. Size structure remains similar, with 60ct and smaller peaking and 48ct and larger priced higher.
Asparagus supplies of Standards and Large sizes continue to improve on both coasts. However, Jumbo sizes remain very limited out of Mexico due to colder temperatures slowing growth. The market is expected to remain steady with slight improvements anticipated next week as production ramps up in Caborca.
Good availability on both coasts. While cold weather may slightly slow production, reduced demand due to extreme weather across the country should help keep green bell pepper prices steady at lower levels. Red bell pepper supply is gradually improving, though cold temperatures continue to contribute to low production.
Cold weather continues to affect production across all current growing regions. Florida temperatures are expected to improve next week, likely boosting output from that area.
DelBene has secured Driscoll’s Long-Stemmed Strawberries from Florida for Valentine’s Day. Order Feb 3 -7 to secure your order for the special day. 4/1# Item #18853
Supplies are currently available in California, Texas, New Jersey, and Florida. Cooler weather has resulted in lighter Mexican production.
Harvest yields for this item have decreased in Central Mexico and Baja. Availability is increasingly limited.
Central Mexico is providing strong availability, with additional supply coming from Baja. This trend is expected to remain steady heading into next week.
Supplies remain strong and consistent, though colder temperatures may slow production. For now, expect the market to remain steady throughout the week.
Cauliflower growth has slowed due to colder temperatures, leading to a slight uptick in prices across all sizes. This upward trend is expected to persist through the weekend.
Demand for sprouts remains steady and consistent, with no notable shifts in market outlook. Domestic production in California’s Central Coast region is nearing completion, with operations transitioning to Oxnard.
Markets remain steady across the board. District 3 (CA Desert/AZ) is performing well and will continue through February. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) has begun with lighter volume but is expected to ramp up over the next couple of weeks.
Demand has softened, likely due to extreme weather across the country. Prices are remaining stable, but we expect the market to remain active as we move into February. The new crop is expected to yield smaller limes, with larger sizes becoming increasingly limited.
Star Rubies are available, with peak volumes in 56ct and smaller sizes, shipping from Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
Peak sizes remain at 138ct and 113ct. As the season progresses, we expect peak sizing to shift towards 113ct and 88ct. Brix levels are in the 13 range, making it a strong year for food service.
The combination of the new cage-free egg law in Michigan as well as avian flu depleting flock size is causing a decrease in egg supply and a corresponding increase in egg prices. All Michigan producers with 3000 or more laying hens need to transition to cage-free housing. Cage free housing requires more space and can result in fewer eggs per hen, leading to the current supply shortages and higher costs.
Currently there is a strong supply availability on both coasts. Quality remains high.
The majority of herbs remain in steady supply with good quality. Tarragon & Thyme remain in limited supply.
Good availability continues from the Yuma region at the start of the week. However, colder weather is expected to slow growth beginning next week. orders. The cold temperatures may lead to occasional reports of blistering and peeling. There have also been some reports of misshapen heads, but overall, the quality remains above average across the industry.
Romaine, green leaf, and red leaf will have good availability to start the week. While some blistering and peeling have been reported on leaf items, these issues remain minimal for now. However, cooler temperatures in the growing regions may amplify these problems next week. Production of romaine hearts is expected to remain strong throughout the week.
Supplies have remained steady and consistent so far. However, the very cold mornings are beginning to cause some yellowing and purple discoloration in the fields. As we move through this cold spell, expect yields to decrease.
Market is steady, and quality remains good.
Kale supplies are expected to remain abundant this week, despite the cold morning temperatures. The market is projected to stay steady as we move into next week.
Cantaloupes: Remain in a demand exceeds supply situation with extremely limited availability. Supplies are expected to remain limited over the next 4-5 weeks. There is a decent spread of sizing between 9s and 12s with a few 15s. Jumbo fruit has been mostly non-existent due to weakened fields. Even with weaker fields fruit has surprisingly been strong with good color and netting. Brix levels have increased slightly to more of a 11-13% range.
Honeydew: Growers are still facing significant crop losses due to Tropical Storm Sara and demand is outpacing supply. The industry remains hopeful to see some recovery with supplies on honeydew by either later next week, or the first week of February, with possible increases from Honduras and Mexico expected. Markets are anticipated to remain strong throughout the month of February. Seedless watermelon currently has good availability with strong quality, excellent color, brix and flavor. We recommend utilizing watermelon as a substitute for cantaloupe & honeydew during this melon shortage.
The pineapple market is experiencing strong demand for Costa Rican pineapples. Due to heavy rainfall, we are seeing lower yields. Pineapple supplies are expected to remain limited until mid-April. Crownless pineapples are in high demand and harder to source.
Chiquita is reporting a slight increase in Bananas, Plantains, Pineapple, Manzano & Red Banana due to Maritime Alliance & Port Workers Negotiations.
Squash supplies are limited due to their sensitivity to cold temperatures, resulting in reduced volume and higher prices on both coasts. Yellow squash is particularly tighter than zucchini. Cold temperatures are expected through the weekend.
Markets have stabilized for most varieties, as cold weather across the country has led to lower demand. Cold temperatures may slow production.
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