For the week ending May 10, 2025
The apple market remains stable on the surface, but pressure is building. Most core varieties — Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith — are holding steady, with ample foodservice sizes available. However, Cosmic Crisp and Honeycrisp are showing volatility. A surplus of oversized Cosmics has flooded the market, while smaller sizes are scarce. Honeycrisp, meanwhile, is down 35% amid tight supply and soaring prices. Market conditions are shifting — and fast.
Artichoke production looks to remain on the light side as growers transition to Salinas Valley fields. The cool moist weather in these coastal fields has hampered production with mold and mildew impacting yields in the stands.
Asparagus supplies are improving. Peru continues to increase volume, pushing prices down from recent highs. Mexican production is ramping up slowly in Baja as Caborca winds down. U.S. harvest has begun in Washington. Michigan Asparagus will be in stock Monday May 12th!
Markets are beginning to ease as offshore volumes increase on both coasts. Supplies of 48ct and smaller fruit have improved, while larger sizes remain tight. The Normal crop has about 6–8 weeks remaining before the Flora Loca crop begins. Meanwhile, the California season is in full swing.
Production is expected to increase in Salinas, Watsonville, and Santa Maria with warmer temperatures this week. Oxnard is nearing the end of its season, and volumes are decreasing. While the Mother’s Day demand has eased, there is still steady demand heading into the weekend. Markets are expected to adjust lower next week.
Markets are beginning to ease as offshore volumes increase on both coasts. Supplies of 48ct and smaller fruit have improved, while larger sizes remain tight. The Normal crop has about 6–8 weeks remaining before the Flora Loca crop begins. Meanwhile, the California season is in full swing.
This item will remain tight until West Coast production starts in late May or early June. In the meantime, shortages from Central Mexico are expected to continue over the next few weeks.
Markets are beginning to ease as offshore volumes increase on both coasts. Supplies of 48ct and smaller fruit have improved, while larger sizes remain tight. The Normal crop has about 6–8 weeks remaining before the Flora Loca crop begins. Meanwhile, the California season is in full swing.
Broccoli quality remains excellent, with fields showing strong color and sizing. The market is expected to stay steady heading into next week.
Brussels sprout supplies from Mexico are past peak production and continue to deal with hot weather, labor challenges and border crossing issues. Current production is mainly medium sized sprouts with small and jumbos very limited. Seeder and discoloration are being reported as the Oxnard region looks to begin light production. The sprout market remains highly active, with industry supplies well below normal and strong demand. Open market prices continue to rise, and this trend is expected to persist for the next 2-3 weeks.
Harvest in the Imperial Valley is progressing well, and the outlook remains positive. Lake Park, GA is shipping a variety of products, including chunks, cellos, jumbos, and babies, and is expected to continue through May, barring any weather disruptions. Please remember to submit snack pack orders 48 hours in advance.
Cauliflower quality remains excellent, with fields showing strong sizing and color. The market is expected to stay steady heading into next week.
Markets are firming up across the board as recent rain events have helped fruit size up. 140ct and smaller sizes are tightening, with small fruit expected to remain limited until District 2 increases volume around June. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) remains the primary growing region, while District 2 (Ventura County/Oxnard) is contributing minimal volume.
The market is steady to slightly higher. Fruit is peaking at 230/250 sizes, with some quoting 275s. Large fruit remains very limited. Rain in the forecast may prompt early harvests, bringing more fruit to market. Offshore Peruvian and Colombian fruit is also available.
Star Ruby are in current supply. Peaking at 40ct and larger sizes are being shipped from Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley. Star Ruby are known for deep red-pink flesh and sweet-tart flavor. These grapefruits are generally smaller than other grapefruit varieties and have a smooth, yellow-orange rind with a red blush when ripe. The flesh is juicy and tender, with a high juice content and a slightly acidic, tangy flavor.
Markets remain strong as the Navel season winds down, expected to wrap up in June. Small fruit will stay limited through the end of the season. Suppliers are closely monitoring the remaining Navel volumes to manage contracts while aiming to delay Valencia shipments to maintain supply through fall. Valencia harvest is expected to begin in early June.
Pineapple supply remains tight with high demand. Vessel delays caused some shipments to miss their schedule, resulting in shorts and order cuts this week. Crownless pineapples are especially limited due to additional labor and sizing requirements. Expect tight supplies for the remainder of the week, with improvement anticipated in the following weeks.
Steady supplies are expected throughout the week for this commodity, with good quality reported across most shippers and minimal seeder issues. Shippers will continue to apply a delivery charge for pickups outside Santa Maria/Oxnard.
The market is softening as newer regions begin production. Georgia and Baja have started, and output is expected to increase as the older crop phases out over the next few weeks.
California eggplant has started as Nogales finishes up, with significantly better quality out of California, commanding a premium. Eastern eggplant remains tight as we await Georgia’s production to begin.
Garlic quality remains excellent, with supplies expected to stay strong in the coming weeks.
Grape prices are continuing to rise, particularly for high-quality green grapes. What was once a two-tiered market has now narrowed to just the upper tier. Mexican new crop greens are expected to begin in 10-14 days, though volume will start light. Red grapes are also seeing price increases, but at a slower pace than greens, with wide variations in quality and price. Mexican red seedless is expected to start in the last week of May.
Green bean production from Mexico is winding down over the next couple of weeks with questionable quality and light volume. As south Florida winds down seasonally Northern Florida and Georgia are expected to add to the mix this week gradually increasing production. California desert production is expected to bring better supplies as harvests begin around mid-May.
Green onion supplies remain steady, and the market is expected to stay consistent going into next week.
Strong supplies are expected in the Salinas Valley this week, with moderate availability in Southern CA. Quality will be excellent, with average weights between 40-45 pounds. Seeder is minimal, and there is little to no discoloration on the outer leaves. Overall, industry-wide quality is very good. Shippers are flexible, so promotions are encouraged.
Romaine, along with green and red leaf, will have plentiful availability this week in the Salinas Valley, with steady supplies of romaine hearts. Shippers are flexible, so promotions are encouraged. Overall quality remains strong, with good weights, sizing, and texture, and no tip or fringe burn reported at this time.
All tender leaf lettuce varieties are in good supply with excellent overall quality. Fields are showing consistent sizing, with strong texture and color. Supplies and quality are expected to remain steady throughout the weekend.
Kale supplies and quality remain strong this week, and this trend is expected to continue into next week.
The Cantaloupe market is strong due to recent retail ads. Offshore Melons are peaking on 9s and are on the tail end of the season. Mexican cantaloupes and honeydews are also peaking on large sizes. The Domestic Melon season is on pace to start last week of May if not sooner.
The Honeydew market is steady due to recent retail ads. Honeydews from Guatemala are impacted by the universal tariffs and price strategies are being reviewed. Mexican honeydews are also peaking on large sizes. The introduction of new fields from Mexico has helped the market. The Domestic Melon season is on pace to start last week of May if not sooner.
Mexican watermelon supplies have been increasing just in time for the Mother’s Day pull. The quality is strong, and aggressive bin/carton pricing is available.
Storage onion production from the PNW is nearly finished, with the Texas crop also wrapping up soon. Mexican crossings will continue through July. Brawley, CA has all three colors available, as does Georgia. Jumbo white onions remain limited and are being imported from other regions and Mexico.
Domestic pear supplies are critically low and unlikely to improve before mid-July, when California’s Bartlett crop is expected to begin — weather and conditions permitting. Washington’s output has been severely impacted, down 25–50% depending on the region. Bosc supplies are nearly gone, leaving Anjou as the primary domestic option. Meanwhile, imported pears are arriving on both coasts, offering reliable volume for buyers less concerned with origin.
Market is firm. Still hit or mis out east with Georgia still 2 weeks out from first harvest. Out west Nogales is winding down with better #1 grade quality fruit out of California. New crop peaking on XL/Jumbo sizes out of the CA desert.
The market remains steady this week with stable pricing. Suppliers are clearing out storage crop ahead of new crop arrivals. Planting is underway across most regions, including Eastern Idaho. Interest is growing in California-colored potatoes as quality declines in other areas. Demand for Yellow potatoes is also trending upward across the board.
Domestic stone fruit season has begun, with initial volumes of peaches arriving this week and nectarines expected next week. Plums will follow in early June. Apricots and cherries have started in light volume, with pricing currently strong. Imported peaches and nectarines are finished for the season, and imported plums are nearly done. The kiwi market remains steady, supported by imports from Italy, Greece, and ongoing shipments from Chile.
Supply remains strong in most areas, particularly on zucchini, though yellow squash is still slightly behind, which is typical. Product is available from California, Nogales, Georgia, and Florida.
The market is steady, with Romas slightly tighter but still available. The overall quality is good. Product is available from Baja, Nogales, McAllen, and Florida. Promotable volume is available, especially on round tomatoes, with strong production in most areas.
*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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