For the week ending July 4, 2026
The Red and Gold Delicious markets have finally begun responding to their tightening inventories. While the changes have been modest, even a slight increase is more movement than we’ve seen in weeks. Meanwhile, Gala and Granny Smith apples continue to be readily available with supplies remaining strong.
The West Coast asparagus market is strengthening as Mexico becomes the primary supplier, with larger sizes already tight and smaller sizes beginning to firm. While heat is expected to impact Southern Baja production, increasing harvests in Central and Northern Mexico should help support supply into the fall. Peruvian supplies remain limited due to lower yields and strong global demand, while domestic and Canadian seasons are ending, shifting demand back to Mexico and Peru and likely putting additional upward pressure on prices in the weeks ahead. DelBene is stocking and shipping MI asparagus.
Avocado markets are beginning to level out, with pricing easing compared to the past few weeks and additional relief possible as Flora Loca volumes increase. Current Negra fruit continues to eat very well with strong oil content but is ripening quickly, while the early Flora Loca crop is starting slowly and taking longer to ripen. California production remains active, and Peru is expected to ramp up in late June and early July, providing additional supply to the market.
MARKET ON WATCH
Supplies remain light but steady from Central Mexico, while California production is expected to begin building during the first week of July, providing additional volume and helping improve overall market availability.
The Pacific Northwest season has started on schedule with light volumes and is expected to build steadily through July. Supplies from New Jersey and Michigan remain limited, with weather impacting early production. Markets are expected to stay firm over the next few weeks until these growing regions gain momentum and yields begin to increase.
TIGHT SUPPLY: Central Mexico volumes continue to decline, while California is beginning to contribute light production. Additional supplies from Baja are expected to come online in early July, helping improve overall availability.
ALERT: The overproduction seen last week has eased, bringing supplies into a more manageable balance out of Watsonville and Salinas. While availability remains strong, Santa Maria’s old crop is nearly finished, and some shippers expect conventional new-crop fruit to begin shortly after the Fourth of July holiday.
Broccoli supplies remain strong, and the market is expected to stay steady through the weekend with ample availability.
TIGHT SUPPLY: Brussels sprout production is slightly limited but quality remains strong, with the market expected to stay steady and potentially firm heading into next week.
Cauliflower supplies remain decent this week, with the market expected to begin firming heading into next week.
The Bakersfield region is currently the primary source, with good availability across all carrot sizes.
Star Ruby grapefruit are currently available, peaking on 48ct fruit and shipping out of Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
ALERT: The lemon market remains elevated due to limited availability and strong demand, with supplies expected to stay extremely tight through June and pricing holding firm. Relief should begin in July as offshore imports increase and supplement domestic volume. District Two (Ventura County/Oxnard region) is currently in full production and supplying the majority of fruit.
Lime prices remain low overall, especially on smaller sizes, while larger fruit is limited and continues to command a premium. Supplies are heavily weighted toward 200s and 230s, with some improvement expected in 175- count availability. Rain in Mexico may help improve sizing but could also disrupt harvests and tighten supply, with Mexico expected to dominate summer volume as Peru and Colombia seasonally wind down.
ALERT: The California Valencia crop is heavily skewed toward larger sizes, with peak production on 56ct and 72ct fruit, while smaller sizes like 113ct and 138ct remain extremely limited and are expected to stay tight through the remainder of the season. Flexibility on size and grade will be needed to maintain order coverage, with substitutions to larger fruit likely as small sizes tighten. Suppliers will continue holding to contract size averages while managing overall supply, and schools and DOD programs should be encouraged to consider 88ct or 72ct fruit where possible.
The market is steady with all sizes readily available, and some suppliers are flexible on larger volume orders, making this a good commodity to promote. There is currently no escalation on value-added items. Production continues out of the Santa Maria and Oxnard regions and is expected to remain steady throughout the week, with no major quality concerns reported.
The cucumber market remains stable, supported by rising production from Baja and mainland Mexico. However, supplies are expected to tighten as Georgia and Eastern North Carolina wind down their seasons, with excessive rainfall driving quality issues and prompting some early harvests to end. Western North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, and Baja Mexico are expected to help bridge supply gaps through the summer.
Eggplant supplies remain abundant on the East Coast, supported by strong production and good quality out of Georgia. A smooth transition into North Carolina and South Carolina is expected to maintain adequate availability. While California production is improving, prices there remain well above Eastern markets, making eggplant a strong promotional opportunity in the East.
Shipments will transition to Mexican peeled garlic beginning with orders shipping on June 22, 2026, and will remain on Mexican product until the new California crop becomes available in late July to early August.
The grape season has transitioned to California, with red grapes in good supply and volumes continuing to increase. Green grapes are about a week behind but are following a similar trend. Expect markets to ease in the coming weeks as availability and quality continue to improve.
Green onion supplies remain good overall, with the market expected to stay steady into next week, weather permitting.
ALERT: MARKET UP – SUPPLY SHORTAGE
ALERT: Production has picked up with some shippers while others remain light, creating a gap in pricing across the industry. Escalation on value-added items is expected to continue throughout the week. With schools out of session nationwide and no rain in the forecast, supplies are expected to increase. Some quality defects are being reported, including misshapen heads, pink ribbing, and lighter weights.
ALERT: Romaine along with green and red leaf has shown improved production to start the week, and this trend is expected to continue. Romaine hearts are also seeing better availability with some suppliers, though others are still experiencing tighter supplies. Escalation on value-added leaf items will continue throughout the week. Reported quality issues include smaller lengths, lighter weights, and light tip and fringe burn.
Spinach and spring mix are in good supply for normal business with solid quality, and arugula varieties are also looking good this week.
Kale supplies and quality remain mostly good, with conditions expected to stay steady into next week.
ALERT: Offshore cantaloupes have finished for the season, leaving domestic melons as the primary supply; however, the market is currently challenged due to early shutdowns in the California desert from whitefly pressure and delays in the Central California region coming online. This has created a temporary supply gap in cantaloupes expected to last through the week of 7/6. Contract orders remain priority but are being prorated with sizing substitutions as needed.
ALERT: Offshore and Mexican honeydews are finished for the season, leaving domestic supply as the primary source. Production is currently tight due to early desert shutdowns from whitefly and delays in Central California, creating a temporary shortage. Contracts remain priority but are being prorated with sizing substitutions, and the situation is expected to last through the week of 7/6.
ALERT: Crossings from Mexico have declined, pushing market prices higher. Domestic watermelons are available but in limited supply, while rain in Georgia and Florida has delayed production and increased demand ahead of the holiday.
Texas and Georgia onion seasons are winding down, with Central California and New Mexico now supplying the market for the remainder of the summer. Freight is currently a key driver of pricing. Winter-over onions are also available from Washington.
The Washington Anjou deal is nearing completion for most shippers, with even those expecting a seamless transition to new-crop Bartletts reporting light supplies. Sacramento Delta Bartletts are expected to begin around July 1, with volume increasing quickly the week of July 6.
The bell pepper market remains active as Georgia production winds down earlier than expected and Bakersfield enters its final stages. Supplies are tightening, with limited availability expected until production increases in the Carolinas, Fresno, and Oxnard over the coming weeks. Quality concerns persist due to recent heat and rainfall, making bell peppers a challenging promotional item in the near term.
The pineapple market has improved, with steady Costa Rican supply expected through June. While overall availability remains tight and contracts are prioritized, larger sizes should improve toward month-end. Crowned 6 and 7 count volume is increasing, 8 count is steady, and crownless and organic fruit remain limited. Bunker fees are still being reviewed.
Large potatoes are tightening as packouts decline deeper into the season due to a warm winter impacting storage and reducing runability. Orders will require additional lead time to secure supply. Washington potatoes are peaking on mid sizes with large and small counts remaining tight, while Florida color potatoes will continue for another week or two. Yellow potatoes are tight, reds are in better position, and North Carolina sweet potatoes will remain limited until new crop availability.
Squash supplies are shifting out of Georgia as heavy rain and seasonal declines reduce production. Western North Carolina and New Jersey are providing strong volume and good quality, helping stabilize overall availability. Yellow squash remains the tightest item, with ongoing quality concerns in California and Baja impacting supply.
California stone fruit is now in near full production, running about two weeks early with improved peach, plum, and nectarine varieties coming in. Pluots have begun with additional premium varieties expected in the coming weeks. Washington cherry season is in full swing, with the market stabilizing at steady to slightly higher pricing. It remains a short season, so Northwest cherries will move quickly. Order early and often.
The tomato market is mostly stable for cherries, rounds, and Romas, while grape tomatoes remain very tight with elevated pricing. Supplies are coming from Georgia, South Carolina, and California, with early North Carolina arrivals this week helping improve availability. Mexican production from Baja and Central Mexico is also contributing to overall supply.
*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.
Subscribe now to get the latest updates on fresh produce, market trends, and special offers delivered straight to your inbox.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest market updates, fresh produce highlights, and expert tips!
