For the week ending March 21, 2025
The apple market remains steady to slightly higher as supplies continue to gradually decline. Retail bag programs are absorbing a significant share of the smaller fruit, requiring foodservice customers to be more flexible with the sizes they use to meet demand. Sizes 100 and smaller are particularly difficult to source in Cosmic Crisp, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Gala varieties. This supply dynamic is expected to persist until the new crop arrives.
Mexican asparagus production is at or just past its seasonal peak, with volumes expected to stay steady through March before declining in early April. Demand currently meets or exceeds supply as the industry prepares for Easter demand that could double. Weather issues in Peru are impacting quality, so some suppliers are delaying shipments until around Easter, keeping supply limited until domestic production in Washington, Idaho, and Michigan ramps up.
Markets remain steady at lower levels with ample fruit on the trees and consistent demand. Peak sizes are 48 and 60 count. Dry matter and oil content are in the low 30s, and fruit quality is excellent. Updates will be provided if conditions change.
Supply chain issues. Clean trimmed green beans are recommended as a replacement.
CEMEX production has moved past peak volume, resulting in reduced availability. California production is expected to begin in April.
CEMEX and South American production are in seasonal decline, keeping volumes limited. California production is expected to begin ramping up over the next few weeks. Florida experienced severe cold weather three weeks ago, resulting in significant crop losses for many growers, and supplies are expected to remain limited in the near term.
Supplies remain light out of CEMEX, keeping markets elevated. Civil unrest driven by cartel activity has further compounded the shortage, leading to quality issues and transfer delays. Markets are expected to remain elevated over the next few weeks.
Production is increasing across all growing regions as CEMEX winds down. In California and Baja, favorable weather is driving higher volumes, and Salinas and Watsonville have started harvesting several weeks ahead of schedule, putting downward pressure on market prices.
Broccoli supplies have improved across all growing areas, and the market is expected to remain steady into next week.
Brussels sprout quality and supplies continue to improve, and the market is expected to remain steady with ample availability into next week.
Cauliflower supplies remain tight but are gradually improving this week. The market is expected to ease slightly heading into the weekend.
MARKET ON WATCH: Bakersfield harvest is finished, with growers starting light volumes in the Imperial Valley. Warm, dry weather should improve carrot sizing over the next 3–4 weeks. Early harvesting in Bakersfield produced small carrots, so growers paused to allow sizing. In a few weeks, sizing and availability should be strong.
Star Ruby grapefruit are available, peaking at 48 count, and are being shipped from Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
District 3 (CA Desert/AZ) is finished. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) will serve as the main growing region until District 2 (Oxnard/Ventura County) ramps up in late March to early April. District 1 is currently peaking in 140, 165, and 115 sizes.
ALERT: District 3 (CA Desert/AZ) is finished. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) remains the main growing region until District 2 (Oxnard/Ventura) ramps up in late March to early April. District 1 is peaking on 115, 95, and 140 count, with markets rising on 165 and 200 count as product sizes increase.
The California Navel crop is heavily weighted toward larger sizes, peaking on 56 and 72 count. Small sizes (113 and 138 count) are very limited and expected to remain tight through the season and into the Valencia transition, possibly starting in early April. Flexibility with size and grade will be necessary, with substitutions to larger Navels likely. Suppliers are managing to contract size averages. Schools and DOD programs should be encouraged to accept 88 or 72 count fruit.
Overall, the market is softer, with the best deals coming from Santa Maria and Oxnard. Shippers are flexible on all sizes. While value-added items remain higher, pricing is expected to decline throughout the week. Quality reports from the growing regions continue to be good.
Supplies are extremely limited due to low Mexican yields and a slow spring start. Honduran imports are tight, and Florida harvest won’t begin until late March or early April. Expect elevated prices over the next two weeks.
Florida supplies are negligible, with only minor small or off-grade fruit available; the spring crop remains very limited after the freeze. Mexico is shipping steady volumes into Nogales and McAllen, with mild market fluctuations but overall adequate supply.
California garlic is progressing with good quality, supplemented by ongoing Mexican supplies.
Green grapes are tighter on both coasts as Peru nears the end of its season and Chile has lighter volumes. Supply has met current needs but is expected to tighten later this month. Red grapes remain in good supply, with a steady market on both coasts.
Green onion supplies remain very tight but are starting to ease slightly. Recent rains and cooler weather have lowered yields, and limited availability is expected to continue into next week.
Very warm temperatures in the Yuma region this weekend and next week are causing internal burn, puffiness, and leaf discoloration. Earlyweek promotions may offer good deals to keep product fresh. Yuma production will continue for 2–4 more weeks, with Huron starting in the next week or two.
Romaine, green leaf, and red leaf supplies are good this week, though romaine pricing remains elevated. Warm temperatures may cause tip and fringe burn on all leaf items by next week. Weights and sizing are currently above average, and pricing is expected to stay competitive. Huron production should begin within one to two weeks.
Tender leaf items like spinach, cilantro, and arugula remain in good supply. Minor insect damage and discoloration are reported, but availability is expected to stay strong into next week.
Kale supplies and quality remain strong, with similar conditions expected into next week.
Westside and Nogales deals are complete. Offshore cantaloupes are available in California, Texas, Florida, and the Northeast, with pricing up due to strong demand. Retailers are leveraging warmer temperatures and scheduled prebooks to meet customer needs.
Offshore and Mexican honeydews are available but are expected to face challenges throughout March. Fields in Guatemala and Honduras have been impacted by plant viruses, leaving Mexican honeydews to help supplement the market.
Lower yields and Mexican border issues have kept watermelon prices elevated. Warmer national temperatures are boosting demand. Offshore melons are nearly finished, leaving Mexican melons as the primary supply until domestic production begins.
Onions are available from Washington, Idaho, and Utah, with additional supplies from Texas and Mexico. Demand has increased, and quality is being monitored as the season winds down. Rising fuel costs—up about $1 week over week in many areas—are impacting transportation and driving the market.
The pear market is gradually firming. Bartlett shipments are mostly finished, easing pressure on Anjou pears. Red pears are adequately supplied, and Bosc pears remain plentiful.
High prices and strong demand continue through March. Green peppers remain very tight due to low volumes in Florida and a heavy supply of small and choice grade fruit from Mexico. Red pepper availability is improving but supplies are often diverted to higher paying markets. Some relief is expected in early April as production rebounds in Florida and the California desert.
The pineapple market is stable but remains tight due to earlier rain and planting gaps, with contracts maintaining priority. Larger sizes are expected to gradually increase by the end of February. Currently, 6- and 7-crown counts are up, 8-crown counts are steady, and 8- and 10-crownless remain tight. Organic pineapples are also limited.
Supply and demand are balanced, with sheds actively making deals. Smaller counts are becoming harder to find. Burbank potatoes are now available, with Norkoth as the main variety. Washington potatoes are peaking on mid sizes with excellent quality, while large and small counts remain tight. Florida color potatoes are available. Transportation costs are impacting the market, with fuel up $1 in some regions.
Florida supplies will be minimal through mid-March, with early Sonora production just starting. Expect short-term elevated prices for yellow and zucchini squash, with yellow squash especially tight due to the Florida freeze and the Sinaloa-to-Sonora transition in Mexico.
Imported peaches, plums, and nectarines are winding down, with nectarines finishing first, peaches by month’s end, and plums continuing into April. Imported kiwi from Greece and Italy remain steady, with Chilean kiwi starting in April.
MARKET IMPROVING: Rounds are very limited due to the Florida freeze and Mexico, keeping prices elevated at lower levels. Roma production in Sonora is increasing, causing prices to ease, but markets are expected to remain volatile through April as Florida salvage crops, Mexican disease issues, and a 17% duty continue to pressure supply. Grapes are currently affordable with low demand, though partial Florida damage and split Mexican pricing could push prices higher if supplies tighten this week.
*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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