For the week ending May 23, 2025
The seasonal decline in inventories is expected to accelerate in June, though softer seasonal demand should help keep price increases relatively modest. Reds and Golds will see the greatest supply pressure, with Fujis and Pinks also beginning to tighten. Granny Smith apples, however, remain in good supply and are expected to carry through smoothly until the new crop arrives.
The asparagus market eased slightly after Mother’s Day demand declined, but West Coast supplies remain tight due to production gaps in Mexico and lighter domestic harvests in Washington and Idaho. Supply is expected to improve through late May and June as Baja, Central Mexico, Michigan, Canada, and Peru increase production. Overall, market pressure should gradually ease heading into Memorial Day and early summer. We have Michigan asparagus in stock and shipping. Jumbo asparagus is currently MI grown.
Markets remain steady at lower levels with ample fruit on the trees and consistent demand. Peak sizing is 48ct, and dry matter/oil content in the low 30s is delivering excellent eating quality.
Supplies remain steady with product continuing to ship from California’s Central Coast, Oregon, Georgia, and Central Mexico.
CMEX, California, Georgia, and Florida are all contributing steady production, helping ease pricing across all pack styles. Additional relief is expected as the Pacific Northwest season begins in the next 2–3 weeks.
CMEX and California’s Central Coast continue to produce steady volumes, helping maintain stable supply levels.
Oxnard is nearly finished, with current production coming from Santa Maria, Oxnard, and Salinas. Availability has been inconsistent as growers work through newer field varieties that are still being tested commercially. Supply is expected to improve as Salinas and Watsonville ramp up, while Santa Maria production continues to decline.
Broccoli supplies remain slightly limited but are gradually improving. With better weather expected, the market should see a modest decline in pricing heading into next week. Broccoli florets remain in a supply gap. Recommending whole product.
Brussels sprout supplies remain good and steady, with the market expected to hold stable through the weekend.
Cauliflower supplies are continuing to improve across all growing regions, and the market is expected to ease slightly heading into next week.
MARKET ON WATCH: The Imperial Valley is currently the primary growing region, though early harvesting—driven by limited availability out of Bakersfield—has resulted in smaller sizing. As a result, growers have slowed harvest to allow crops to size up and avoid further strain on the market. Improvement in availability is expected over the next 3–4 weeks as Bakersfield ramps back up, weather permitting. With additional time on the crop, sizing and overall supply should strengthen, helping stabilize the carrot market.
Star Ruby grapefruit are currently available, with peak sizing at 48ct, shipping out of Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
ALERT: District 2 (Oxnard/Ventura County) is now the main production region, with District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) providing supplemental volume. Due to coastal growing conditions, the crop is running about 70% choice and 30% fancy, with sizing peaking on 115/95/140ct. Markets remain extremely tight on 165ct and smaller lemons.
The lime market has stabilized, with pricing firming due to lower yields in Mexico. Smaller sizes (230s/200s) remain most available, while larger fruit will stay limited until June–July. Hot, dry conditions may impact quality, with an earlier-than-normal seasonal price increase expected by late June.
ALERT: California Navel oranges are heavily skewed toward larger sizes, with 56ct and 72ct dominating while smaller sizes (113ct and 138ct) remain very limited and expected to stay tight through the end of the season and into the Valencia transition. Flexibility on sizing will be necessary, with substitutions into larger fruit likely as small sizes become harder to source. Suppliers will continue managing to contract size averages, and programs are encouraged to accept 88ct or 72ct where possible.
MARKET ON WATCH: The market remains active due to reduced yields from Fusarium, which has impacted roughly 25% of the crop industry-wide. Availability is expected to stay moderate to light this week, with overall quality ranging from fair. Value-added items will continue to carry escalated pricing for at least the next few weeks.
MARKET ON WATCH: Eastern cucumber supplies are tight following the end of South Florida production, though Georgia is expected to improve both quality and availability soon. Western supplies remain stable, with Mexico offering good quality despite lighter volumes.
MARKET ON WATCH: Eggplant supplies remain tight across Florida, Mexico, and California, with retail-quality product especially limited. Markets are expected to stay elevated for the next 10–14 days until Georgia production improves, and promotions are not recommended due to limited availability.
California garlic is progressing with good quality, with Mexican supplies supplementing steady availability.
South American imports are expected to wind down by the end of May, while Mexican grapes crossing through Nogales are just beginning and will ramp up to full production in June. Shippers will be motivated to move volume ahead of California’s Central Valley start in mid-June. Coachella is currently producing, but volumes are limited and largely pre-committed, so it won’t significantly impact the market. Once Bakersfield and northern California begin harvest, domestic supply should carry through the season into late fall.
Green onion supplies remain strong overall, with steady availability expected into next week, weather permitting.
ALERT: Supply shortage. Conditions expected to improve towards Memorial Day.
ALERT: Lettuce supplies are more available this week and expected to improve further next week, though current availability remains only moderate. Value-added items will continue to be escalated throughout the week. Quality issues persist, including outer leaf discoloration and misshapen heads, with INSV impacting overall growth. Production is coming from both Northern and Southern California, with average case weights around 36–40 pounds.
ALERT: Romaine, along with green and red leaf, remains very tight, with romaine hearts in especially limited supply. Light availability is expected to continue for at least the next few weeks due to an estimated 25% industrywide crop loss from INSV. Value-added leaf items will remain on escalated pricing, and overall quality is expected to be fair at best across both leaf items and hearts.
Tender leaf items such as spinach, cilantro, and arugula remain in good supply. Baby kale, however, is tighter due to lower-than-expected yields and slower crop growth.
Kale supplies and quality remain good, with steady conditions expected to continue into next week.
Cantaloupes are currently available from offshore sources in California, Texas, Florida, and the Northeast, with pricing stabilizing as retail promotions wind down. Mexican supply is also available, while limited domestic production is beginning to come online.
Offshore and Mexican honeydews are available with strong quality.
Mexican supply has improved and pricing has normalized, with additional deals expected as domestic watermelons come online. Florida watermelons are now available.
ALERT: Pacific Northwest onion supplies have finished early due to quality issues stemming from a warm winter. Texas supplies remain limited following recent rainfall over the past two weeks. California is currently the main shipping region, prioritizing contract fulfillment as inventories are rebuilt. New Mexico and Mexican onions are expected to become available by the end of the month.
Anjou volume continues to tighten, though larger shippers do not expect a gap before new crop Bartletts begin in Washington in early August. The Bosc season is expected to wrap up in about three weeks, while Red Anjous should finish by the end of June. California’s new crop Bartletts are anticipated to start in the last week of June.
MARKET ON WATCH: Eastern bell pepper supplies remain tight, particularly in XL sizes. South Florida is finishing up as Georgia slowly ramps production. Western regions are holding steady with good quality, though significant volume increases are not expected in the near term. Red bells have begun initial harvest over the weekend.
ALERT: The pineapple market remains steady but tight due to earlier rain and planting gaps, with conditions expected to persist through the end of May as demand increases. Contract orders are being prioritized. Larger sizes (6 and 7 count with crowns) are becoming more available, while 8 count crowned remains steady. Crownless 8 and 10 count, along with organic pineapples, continue to be limited.
Potato markets are balanced overall with some deals on 40–50 ct and #2s, while smaller sizes remain tight. Burbanks are now available as Norkotah season ends, peaking on larger sizes. Washington quality is strong on midsizes, with tightness in both large and small counts. Florida colored potatoes are limited due to freeze impacts, with yellow potatoes tight and reds in better supply. Higher trucking and fuel costs are also influencing the market. North Carolina sweet potatoes remain limited until new crop starts.
MARKET ON WATCH: Supplies remain limited in both East and West due to seasonal transitions, though Florida quality is improving and Georgia harvest is starting later this week. Western availability is expected to improve as California districts ramp up production.
Peaches are available. Nectarines, plums, and apricots are also in production. First-of-the-season pricing is expected to ease in June as both size and volume improve. California cherries are projected to come up short this year due to early rain during the first and second weeks of the deal, with most shippers expecting to finish before the end of May. Washington cherries are set to begin the first week of June.
ALERT – MARKET ON WATCH: East Coast supply is improving as Ruskin/Palmetto reaches full harvest with strong quality and volume. Mexico’s Sinaloa/Sonora season is winding down with limited but fair-quality production, while Baja/Jalisco remains light. Overall pricing is expected to stay steady into early June.
*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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