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Market Report

Market Forecast

For the week ending February 01, 2025

Valentine's Day Items

ORDER BY February 07, 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 

Order by february 10, 2025 at 11 p.m.

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 ALERT

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. 

AVOCADOs

Markets remain elevated across all sizes due to limited harvests leading to tight supplyHarvesting 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

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. 

Bell Peppers

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.

Berries

Strawberries

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 

Blueberries

Supplies are currently available in California, Texas, New Jersey, and Florida. Cooler weather has resulted in lighter Mexican production. 

Raspberries

Harvest yields for this item have decreased in Central Mexico and Baja. Availability is increasingly limited.

Blackberries

Central Mexico is providing strong availability, with additional supply coming from Baja. This trend is expected to remain steady heading into next week.

Broccoli, Cauliflower & BRUSSEL SPROUTS

Broccoli

Supplies remain strong and consistent, though colder temperatures may slow production. For now, expect the market to remain steady throughout the week.

Cauliflower

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.

BRUSSEL SPROUTS

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.

Citrus

LEMONS

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.

LIMES

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.

GRAPEFRUIT

Star Rubies are available, with peak volumes in 56ct and smaller sizes, shipping from Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.

ORANGES

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.

EGGS

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. 

EGGPLANT

Currently there is a strong supply availability on both coasts. Quality remains high. 

HERBS

The majority of herbs remain in steady supply with good quality. Tarragon & Thyme remain in limited supply. 

Lettuce, ARUGULA & GREENS

ICEBURG

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.

LEAF

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.

Tender Leaf

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.

ARUGULA

Market is steady, and quality remains good.

KALE

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.

MELONS

Cantaloupes: Remain in a demand exceeds supply situation with extremely limited availability. Supplies are expected to remain limited over the next 4-5 weeksThere is a decent spread of sizing between 9s and 12s with a few 15s.  Jumbo fruit has been mostly non-existent due to weakened fieldsEven with weaker fields fruit has surprisingly been strong with good color and nettingBrix 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. 

PINEAPPLE

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

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.

TOMATOES

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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