For the week ending May 2, 2025
Little has changed in the market. Declining supplies and softer May demand should keep things balanced, with prices holding steady as schools break for summer. Retail bag programs continue to absorb smaller fruit, leaving 100-count and smaller sizes tight across Cosmic Crisp, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Gala until the new crop arrives.
Mexico asparagus is extremely tight with declining San Luis supply and limited Baja ramp starting, improving early May. Central Mexico won’t stabilize until mid June. Peru is steady but fair quality and limited by demand and high air freight, with tighter supply expected into summer. DelBene warehouse current supply is coming out of Indianna. Keeping watch on Michigan and could see MI asparagus before Mother’s Day.
Markets are steady at lower levels, with ample fruit still on the trees and consistent demand. Peak sizing is currently 48 count. Dry matter and oil content are in the low 30s, and the fruit is eating very well. We’ll keep you updated with any changes on the avocado front.
Supplies are improving, and we expect California to begin showing increased production in the final week of April.
CMex production is tapering off, while California is beginning a gradual increase as we move into late April and early May. Georgia has started to come on lightly, and the PNW is expected to begin ramping up by mid May. Markets are trending lower in response.
Supplies remain limited from CEMEX, while California hoop berry production is expected to begin in the next one to two weeks. Demand remains strong.
ALERT – MARKET UP: Supply issues. Rain has impacted all growing regions over the past two days, making it difficult for growers to access fields and harvest product. It will take several days for conditions to dry sufficiently for crews to begin stripping and cleanout. As a result, fill rates are expected to decline, with potential order cuts in the coming days. Offerings will remain light, and water-related quality issues are likely.
ALERT: Market up supply issues Rain has impacted all growing regions over the past two days, making it difficult for growers to access fields and harvest product. It will take several days for conditions to dry sufficiently for crews to begin stripping and cleanout. As a result, fill rates are expected to decline, with potential order cuts in the coming days. Offerings will remain light, and water-related quality issues are likely.
ALERT: Brussels sprout supplies are beginning to tighten, with the market expected to edge up heading into the weekend.
ALERT: Cauliflower supplies are extremely limited due to lower yields, with the market expected to tick slightly higher into next week.
MARKET ON WATCH: The Imperial Valley is currently the main growing region. Availability should improve in the next three to four weeks as Bakersfield comes back online, depending on weather. Early harvesting in Imperial led to smaller sizing, so growers have slowed production to allow crops to size up. As a result, both sizing and availability should improve in the coming weeks.
Star Ruby are available, with peak sizing at 48ct, shipping out of Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
ALERT: District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) is supporting District 2 (Oxnard/Ventura County), which is currently the main growing region. We are seeing about 70% choice and 30% fancy due to coastal growing conditions. Sizing is peaking at 115/95/140ct. Markets are extremely tight on 165ct and smaller lemons.
The market is easing for the first time in months, with further stabilization and a larger drop expected after Cinco de Mayo. Quality and shelf life are strong as new crop production ramps up. Small sizes offer the best value, while larger sizes (110s/150s) remain tight through summer, with imports expected to finish in May.
ALERT: California Navel oranges are heavily skewed to larger sizes, peaking on 56ct and 72ct. Smaller sizes (113ct and 138ct) are very limited and expected to stay tight through the remainder of the season and into the Valencia transition. Flexibility will be needed, with substitutions into larger fruit likely. Suppliers will hold contract averages, so programs should be encouraged to accept 88ct or 72ct fruit.
ALERT: Strong market conditions are expected to continue this week as demand exceeds supply. With Yuma finished and limited availability in Southern California, supplies will remain light. Quality is above average, with best sizing on larger packs. Value-added items will remain escalated throughout the month.
Mexico supply is stabilizing as demand softens, with markets trending lower. Florida production is ramping up quickly, adding further downward pressure on pricing. Overall supply is expected to remain adequate, with Georgia coming on in mid-May and creating opportunities for promotions.
MARKET ON WATCH: Florida spring production is ramping up, though the market remains active for now. Mexico has yet to see the typical post-holiday dip, but it is expected soon. As supply increases, pricing should ease, positioning eggplant as a strong promotional item in 2–3 weeks.
The California garlic crop is progressing with good quality, while Mexican supplies continue to supplement and complement the California harvest.
Green grapes are tightening on both coasts as Peru nears completion and Chile volumes remain lighter. Supply has been sufficient so far, but is expected to tighten as the month progresses. Red grapes are also tighter than recent weeks, though still more available than greens. Mexico is expected to start before South American supplies finish, but a significant overlap is not anticipated.
Green onion supplies remain strong overall and are expected to stay steady into next week, depending on temperatures.
ALERT: Iceberg pricing is escalating rapidly as growers complete the seasonal harvesting transition from the Arizona-California desert region into Salinas and Santa Maria.
California
Mexico (into South Texas)
New Mexico
ALERT: Demand is exceeding supply and is expected to remain that way through at least the rest of the month. Rain is forecast for the first part of the week, which will further disrupt harvesting. Common quality issues include light weights, misshapen heads, and discoloration. Value added items are being escalated to second tier, and suppliers will be working to cover orders throughout the week.
Among the major row crop items, romaine along with green and red leaf currently have the best availability. Supplies are moderate at best, but most orders are being filled in full. Romaine hearts have tightened and may require escalation on value-added items by the end of the week, though none is in place at this time. Expect smaller heads and lighter weights, but overall product quality across leaf items remains clean, with minimal tip and fringe burn reported.
Among the major row crop items, romaine along with green and red leaf currently have the best availability. Supplies are moderate at best, but most orders are being filled in full. Romaine hearts have tightened and may require escalation on value-added items by the end of the week, though none is in place at this time. Expect smaller heads and lighter weights, but overall product quality across leaf items remains clean, with minimal tip and fringe burn reported.
Kale supplies and quality remain good, with similar conditions expected into next week.
Offshore cantaloupes are currently available in CA, TX, FL, and the Northeast. Pricing has stabilized as retail ads wind down. Mexican cantaloupes are also available, and domestic supplies are expected to begin in May.
Offshore and Mexican honeydews are available with strong quality.
Supply from Mexico has improved and pricing has normalized. Promotional deals are expected to emerge as domestic watermelons come into production.
ALERT: PNW onions are essentially finished, with a warm winter shortening the season and impacting quality. Texas onion supplies are limited following recent rain over the past two weeks. California is now the primary source, focusing on contract fulfillment while inventory is rebuilt.
The pear market continues to gradually rise in price. Bartletts are finished, easing pressure on the Anjou market. Red pears are in adequate supply, and Bosc pears remain plentiful. New crop California Bartletts are expected to start 2–3 weeks early and may be available in June.
ALERT: Florida volume is improving, though recent rains continue to create quality concerns, with #1 grade remaining tight and a higher share of offgrade fruit. Mexico crossings remain very limited, especially for colored peppers, keeping that segment short. Additional supply from both coasts, including Coachella, is expected to help ease pricing soon. Specialty peppers are still experiencing a supply gap. Green peppers are seeing improvement and supply relief.
ALERT: Pineapple supplies are tightening as demand increases. Availability of 6/7ct crowned sizes is expected to be very limited, with 2–4 weeks needed for improvement. Overall supply is slightly lower than prior weeks, with contracts continuing to hold priority. Crownless 8ct and 10ct sizes remain tight, and organic pineapples are also in limited supply. Bunker fuel is expected to impact costs in Q2, with vessel delays likely to cause occasional cuts and order adjustments in the coming weeks.
Supply and demand are balanced, with deals available on 40s, 50s, and #2s, while smaller counts are getting tighter. Burbank potatoes are now available with Norkotahs as the main variety. Washington crop is strong on mid sizes, with large and small counts snug. Florida colored potatoes are limited due to freeze impacts. Fuel and trucking costs continue to pressure the market. Yellow potatoes are tight, reds are better supplied, and NC sweet potatoes remain limited until new crop.
Mexico supplies are extremely tight due to reduced plantings, especially in the West. Florida zucchini production is strong, while yellow squash is lighter, pushing prices higher on demand. Georgia is just beginning, with more meaningful volume expected by late April.
New crop peaches and apricots have begun in California, with nectarines expected to follow in the next one to two weeks. Plums are projected to start by the end of May. Kiwi supplies remain tight as Chile has had a slow start.
ALERT: Supply remains extremely tight due to earlier weather issues in Florida and transition gaps in Mexico. Romas and rounds are especially short, with inconsistent quality, sizing, and packouts limiting usable volume. Grape varieties remain steady and available. Slight improvement is expected later this month, but near-term availability will stay constrained, particularly on rounds and romas. Baja is 2–3 weeks out, and Mexico’s new crop in Jalisco has started on romas, with rounds expected in about 3 weeks.
*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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