For the week ending February 14, 2025
Ideal pre-harvest weather drove the Washington apple crop toward larger sizes, while poor pack-outs have resulted in an acute shortage of small fruit, particularly for bagged retail and 125/138 foodservice packs. Gala and Granny Smith are the most impacted. Buyers are encouraged to transition to 100s and 113s, as this size imbalance is expected to continue until the new crop arrives in the fall.
Mexican asparagus supplies are tight as production in San Luis, Mexicali, and Caborca starts slowly. While open-market demand is sluggish, shipper-to-shipper trading is absorbing most volume to cover shortfalls. With Peruvian stock cleared from the West Coast and supplemental regions winding down, FOB prices remain elevated and the market is expected to stay flat through Valentine’s Day.
Markets are holding steady for 40ct and 48ct sizes, while 70s are seeing a slight price increase as peak sizing shifts. Harvesting is currently centered on the Aventajada crop, which is showing excellent maturity with dry matter and oil content in the low 30s.
Supply levels remain unchanged from last week’s update, with steady volume continuing to cross from Mexico through Texas.
Supply is currently being drawn from Chile, Central Mexico, and California. Market conditions remain firm and steady across all loading points, including California, Texas, Florida, and New Jersey. Quality across the board continues to be strong.
Market conditions remain steady, supported by consistent supplies from Baja and Central Mexico. Quality continues to be strong across all arrivals.
We are currently in the peak of the Valentine’s Day pull, which is expected to continue through next week. West Coast production is increasing steadily thanks to ideal weather conditions, while Central Mexico is experiencing lighter volume due to adverse weather and isolated quality concerns. Meanwhile, Florida has been impacted by a multi-day hard freeze, with a recovery in the region not anticipated until next week.
Broccoli supplies continue to tighten this week, with the rising market reflecting the limited availability. Expect pricing to climb gradually heading into the weekend. These elevated markets are the direct result of planting gaps caused by significant rain events in late November and early December.
Processed Tight Supply: Brussels sprout supplies remain limited, though availability is beginning to show signs of improvement. In the Oxnard region, growers continue to manage challenges including insect pressure, some decay, and a smaller size profile.
Cauliflower supplies remain tight this week, with the market edging higher. This upward pressure is driven by reduced harvest volumes, a direct result of the planting disruptions caused by the November and December rains.
Southern San Joaquin carrot harvests face significant delays following two months of poor weather and recent heavy rains. Saturated fields have halted equipment, and yields are expected to suffer, keeping supplies tight for the next 2–3 weeks until the Imperial Valley transition in mid-to-late February. While value-added items remain available, commodity prices are rising.
Star Ruby grapefruit are currently available, peaking on 48ct. Shipments are originating from both Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
Market conditions are improving as increased harvesting in District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) bolsters overall supplies. District 3 (CA Desert/AZ) remains the primary growing region, with volume peaking on 140ct, 115ct, and 165ct. With Mexican production also underway, fruit is available for loading in South Texas upon request.
Supplies remain steady from Mexico, Colombia, and Peru, with sizing currently skewing small, though larger fruit is gradually increasing out of Mexico. Overall quality is fair, as some disease pressure is impacting both appearance and shelf life. Expect ongoing price and size volatility through March as the new crop progresses.
The California Navel crop is heavily skewed toward larger fruit (56ct/72ct), leaving small sizes (113ct/138ct) extremely limited through May. To ensure coverage, flexibility is required; expect substitutions to larger Navels or Cara Caras. Suppliers are strictly enforcing contract averages, and markets remain elevated on small fruit and all grades. Please advise schools and DOD programs to shift to 88ct or 72ct. A 4–5 day lead time is critical, as short-notice orders will be subject to availability.
Like most row crops, the celery market has tightened. While all sizes remain available for shipping from Yuma and Southern California, small sizing currently offers the best availability. Quality remains above average industry-wide, though escalated pricing is now in effect for all value-added items.
Mexican cucumbers are driving the market as favorable weather supports increasing production and steady demand. In contrast, Florida is effectively finished following recent freezes, and limited Honduran arrivals are largely committed to contracts, leaving spot supplies at a premium. Overall markets remain firm due to tight availability outside of Mexico.
Florida eggplant production is effectively finished until late March, leaving Mexico as the sole primary source. Recent weather has limited Mexican output, resulting in an active market with elevated pricing. While supply may improve slightly ahead of Lent, demand is projected to outpace availability, keeping markets firm through mid-March.
The California garlic crop is progressing with good quality, while Mexican supplies continue to supplement the California harvest.
Imported red and green grape supplies have improved on both coasts, with the market adjusting to reflect the increased availability. Pricing remains mostly steady.
Green onion supplies remain very tight but are beginning to show slight improvement. Recent rains and cool weather have reduced overall yields, keeping the market firm. Expect availability to remain steady as conditions continue to slowly stabilize heading into next week.
The iceberg lettuce market remains highly active, with volatility expected to persist well into February. Supplies are forecast to stay light for at least the next few weeks due to limited production and marginal yields. Consequently, escalated pricing is in effect across the board for all value added items. Current reports indicate head weights ranging between 34– 40 pounds, with some shippers noting quality issues such as misshapen heads and outer discoloration.
The market for all leaf items remains active, though value-added romaine, green leaf, and red leaf products have not yet reached escalated pricing tiers. Quality is strong, with favorable weights and consistent sizing reported across the category. Butter lettuce supplies are currently moderate, while romaine hearts are expected to maintain steady production throughout the week.
Tender leaf items, including spinach, cilantro, and arugula, remain tight due to previous quality issues and lower yields. While supplies will stay limited through this week, expect slight improvements in both quality and volume as we head into next week.
Kale supplies are expected to be plentiful through next week, with good quality reported across the growing regions. Expect these steady conditions to persist as the market remains stable.
Domestic harvests in the Westside and Nogales are finished, shifting the focus to offshore supplies available on both coasts and in Texas. While pricing has stabilized due to steady demand, a natural dip in volume is expected from February 9 through February 16 as growers transition between regions in Central America.
Offshore and Mexican honeydews are available. Offshore honeydew pricing has stabilized due to vessel delays and lower yields entering the U.S., while Mexican honeydews are offering stronger supplies.
Lower yields on new fields have kept pricing elevated out of Mexico. Colder temperatures nationwide have slightly reduced demand. Offshore watermelons are available from Florida. Weather permitting, Nogales is expected to have watermelons through April, after which we will transition to the domestic season. Personal and mini seedless varieties have better supplies.
Onions are currently available from Washington, Idaho, and Utah. Demand remains strong across the U.S. Yellow and red onion pricing is steady, while white onion pricing is increasing. Transportation costs continue to drive the market. Mexican onions out of Texas have started, and U.S. Texas onions are expected to begin in March.
The pear market remains well supplied, with prices gradually increasing. Bartletts are winding down for some shippers, while others continue packing from controlled atmosphere storage.
Market on watch due to cool weather – Florida peppers have sustained significant freeze damage, with the resulting market impact expected to intensify over the coming days and persist through March. While heavy Mexican production is currently keeping the market soft, it will not be enough to fully offset Florida’s losses. A major reset in the green pepper market is imminent, making aggressive ad pricing a significant risk.
The pineapple market is stable week over week but remains tight due to earlier rain and planting gaps. Contracts maintain priority. Larger sizes should slowly increase toward late February. Six- and seven-count crowned fruit is up, eight-count crowned is steady, while crownless eight- and tencount and organic pineapples remain tight. No port delays this week, though some are expected around Valentine’s Day.
Supply and demand are balanced, and sheds are looking to make deals. Smaller counts are becoming harder to find. Burbanks are now available, with Norkotahs as the main variety. Washington potatoes are producing excellent quality, peaking on mid sizes, while large and smaller counts remain snug. Florida colored potatoes are available, and trucking continues to drive the market.
Florida squash production is severely reduced due to recent freezes, with recovery expected in February/March. Demand is shifting to Mexico, which has lighter volumes until mid-March. Prices are rising quickly and will remain above seasonal norms.
Domestic kiwi are nearly finished, while imported kiwi are arriving on both coasts with a steady market. Imported peaches, plums, and nectarines are available at reasonable prices, though volumes are light. Domestic Asian pears remain available.
Tomato prices are climbing and expected to remain higher over the next two weeks due to freeze-related supply shortages. Florida crops were heavily impacted by freezing temperatures following 3 days straight of freezing temperatures.Expect very tight supplies come March and early April. Out west, Mexican volumes are improving, helping offset limited Florida supplies in the short term.
*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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