For the week ending May 24, 2025
The apple market remains steady, with prices holding firm—reflecting the longevity of both the product and its storage capabilities. Supplies are strong for foodservice sizes across most varieties. However, Honeycrisp and Cosmic Crisp remain limited, especially in smaller sizes. Some shippers are beginning to wrap up their Honeycrisp season.
GOOD NEWS! California Artichokes are priced advantageously this May, with strong quality and steady supply, an excellent promotional opportunity for the second half of the month.
Domestic supplies begin this week in Michigan, providing a boost to the supply chain amid strong demand in Washington. The market is expected to remain steady, supported by consistent production from Mexico and Peru. We are currently stocking & shipping Michigan asparagus.
Markets are stabilizing with more offshore fruit coming in on both coasts. Smaller sizes (48ct and below) are in a better position, while larger fruit remains tight. The normal crop has about 6-8 weeks left before Flora Loca takes over. California’s season is now in full swing.
Strawberry production is up across all growing regions. With the Mother’s Day pull now behind us, markets have softened. Quality remains excellent out of Santa Maria, Salinas, and Watsonville.
Mexican imports remain light, while Georgia continues to face challenges from adverse weather. However, volume is expected to improve heading into the weekend. California production is projected to ramp up in the coming weeks.
Improved volumes out of Central Mexico and Baja are beginning to ease the low availability and high markets experienced over the past two months. This positive trend is expected to continue into the summer.
Blackberry availability has improved out of Mexico, driven by a decrease in quality rejections at the border. As a result, more transferred fruit is arriving in greater volume on the West Coast.
Broccoli quality remains excellent, with fields showing strong color and ideal sizing. The market is expected to remain steady heading into next week.
The sprout market remains highly active, with industry-wide supplies well below normal and strong demand continuing. Open market prices are high and holding steady, a trend that is expected to persist for at least another week.
Cauliflower quality remains strong, with fields showing excellent sizing and vibrant color. The market is expected to stay steady heading into next week.
Harvest in the Imperial Valley is going strong and will continue through this month before moving back to the Bakersfield area. Lake Park, GA is shipping good volume with chunks, cellos, jumbos, and babies, and will run through this month.
Markets remain strong, with 140ct and smaller sizes still tight. Shippers are closely monitoring numbers. Small fruit is expected to stay limited until District 2 ramps up around June. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) remains the primary growing region, while District 2 (Ventura County/Oxnard) is providing minimal volume.
The market is slightly down as rain led to early harvesting and increased supply. The crop is peaking on very small sizes (275/300ct), while larger sizes (110/150ct) remain limited and pricey. Rain may improve sizing, but larger fruit will take time to develop. Offshore 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 across the board. The Navel season has passed its peak and is expected to wrap up in June, with small fruit remaining limited for the remainder of the season. Suppliers are monitoring Navel field projections to manage contracts, while shippers are keeping an eye on numbers. The goal is to maintain coverage while delaying the transition to Valencia oranges to ensure sufficient supply through the Fall. The Valencia season is expected to ramp up at the beginning of June.
There will be good availability of all sizes throughout the week, with reports continuing to highlight strong quality and texture. Minimal seeder is being reported. Shippers will apply a delivery charge for loads outside Santa Maria/Oxnard, so direct loading in these areas will offer better cost efficiency.
Florida is nearly finished, while Georgia is showing good volume. More regional deals are expected as we move into summer. Nogales continues to have good availability, with production from Baja and Central Mexico on the rise. As Nogales winds down, Baja will take over as the main western region supplier.
The market remains firm, with low availability in the East as Florida finishes and Georgia begins. Nogales is winding down, and California’s desert region is now the primary supplier on the West Coast. Steady markets are expected, with gradual increases in volume.
Garlic quality remains excellent, and supplies are expected to stay strong in the coming weeks. Mexican peeled garlic will begin shipping on Monday, May 19th.
The grape market is expected to stay relatively high until early June, when Mexico will have enough volume to push prices lower. Domestic grapes are expected to start in Coachella in the next few weeks, but with very light volume. Coachella’s quick season will not have a significant impact on pricing. There is no expected gap between the end of the Chilean deal and the start of Mexico’s supply.
Florida Green Beans will return to promotional pricing during May following post-Easter highs. The quality is excellent, and production is solid for mid-May.
Green Onion supplies and quality continue to be good. Look for this market to stay steady going into the next week.
Excellent availability will continue throughout the week for this commodity. Aside from a few sporadic reports of bugs, overall quality remains good, with weights averaging 40-44 pounds per case. Seeder is minimal. Production in Santa Maria remains moderate at best.
The market for romaine, as well as green and red leaf, remains steady. Steady supplies of romaine hearts are expected throughout the week. There is little to no fringe or tip burn on all leaf items. Quality continues to be strong, with excellent sizing, weights, and overall texture.
All tender leaf lettuce varieties are in good supply and maintaining excellent quality overall. Fields shw more consistent sizing, along with great texture and color. Supplies and quality are expected to remain strong going into the weekend.
Kale supplies and quality remain strong this week, and this trend is expected to continue into next week.
The cantaloupe market remains strong. Mexican cantaloupes from Nogales are available, with improved sizing and availability. The domestic melon season has started slowly, with product peaking on larger sizes.
The honeydew market is strong. Mexican honeydews are available from Nogales, with improved sizing and availability. The domestic melon season has started slowly, with product peaking on larger sizes.
Domestic watermelons are now available from Florida, with California supplies expected to start in June. We are currently stocking and shipping Florida watermelons.
PNW storage onions are nearly finished, with Texas crops ending this week and Mexican crossings continuing through July. Contracts are active for California and New Mexico onions in all three colors. LTL and FTL options are available, but truck availability is tight due to the holiday. Georgia offers all three colors, while jumbo white onions are limited and imported from other regions and Mexico.
The domestic pear market remains stable to slightly lower, despite ongoing limited supply. It is expected to stay largely unchanged until mid-July, when California’s new Bartlett crop becomes available.
Florida is wrapping up, with Georgia just starting and light volume expected to increase. Western supplies from Nogales are winding down, while Coachella is showing strong quality and production. Overall volume is expected to rise as Georgia’s harvest ramps up.
Supplies are smoother this week, with 8ct Crownless more readily available. While some substitutions may be needed for the remainder of the week, improvements are expected in the coming weeks.
The market is steady with stable pricing, and distributors prefer DLVD pricing. Deals are available as the storage crop winds down, and new crop preparations begin in Eastern Idaho. Interest in California color potatoes is rising, and demand for yellow potatoes is increasing. Color potatoes are available from CA, ID, ND, WI, and FL.
Strong production is ongoing across all regions: Florida, Georgia, and Nogales. California is just beginning, with Selma and Santa Maria in production, and LA consolidation is available.
Strong production is ongoing across all regions: Florida, Georgia, and Nogales. California is just beginning, with Selma and Santa Maria in production, and LA consolidation is available.
The market is up slightly due to rain delays in the East and limited production. Georgia and Quincy are expected to start in early June, bridging to Tennessee in July. Sinaloa is winding down, while Baja and Central Mexico are ramping up. California production will begin in July.
*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!
