For the week ending May 3, 2025
The apple market remains steady. Food service sizes of Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, and Pink Lady apples are widely available. However, there are two notable exceptions: Cosmic Crisp and Honeycrisp. Although this year’s Cosmic Crisp crop is larger than last year’s, the fruit tends to be on the larger side, making smaller sizes (100s and below) less available. In contrast, the Honeycrisp crop is down by over 35%, driving prices well above the usual foodservice range.
Asparagus supplies are gradually improving. Mexican production remains low due to recent heat, while Peru continues to ramp up volume each week. Domestic harvests are expected to begin in the next few weeks. Expect a slow but steady market recovery as more product enters the pipeline.
Markets remain high with no sign of easing. California is in full swing, peaking on 48ct and 60ct sizes, while larger sizes remain priced higher. Light Peruvian arrivals have started on both coasts, with volume expected to increase by May.
Good Buy of the Week! Product is readily available out of Baja, Santa Maria, Oxnard, and the Salinas/Watsonville areas.
Central Mexican production is rapidly declining, and Peruvian imports are scarce at the ports. Georgia has just started with limited offerings, and production will gradually increase over the next few weeks. The market will remain tight, with demand exceeding supply, until California’s production begins in mid-May.
Central Mexico and Baja continue to produce only light volumes heading into May. California production is expected to begin mid to late May.
The market remains tight, with demand exceeding supply, and this is expected to continue through early May. California will begin production in mid-May as temperatures rise, while Georgia’s crop is still a couple of weeks away.
Broccoli supplies and overall quality remain strong. While some heads may show a slight purple tint and loose beads, quality is expected to stay good, with the market holding steady.
The sprout market remains very active, with industry supplies well below normal and strong demand driving it. Open market prices continue to rise and are expected to follow this trend for the next 2–3 weeks.
Harvest is strong in the Imperial Valley with a positive outlook. Lake Park, GA is shipping all sizes—chunks, cellos, jumbos, and babies—and should run through May, weather permitting.
Cauliflower supplies are steady with excellent quality. Heads are showing ideal sizing, color, and texture, and fields are producing clean product with minimal mildew. Expect the market to remain stable heading into the weekend.
Markets are firming up as recent rains boost fruit sizing. Smaller sizes (140ct and down) are tightening and likely to stay limited until District 2 ramps up in June. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) remains the primary source, with light support from District 2 (Ventura/Oxnard).
The market is steady to slightly higher after a brief supply dip caused by Holy Week labor shortages. Overall quality is good, though smaller sizes continue to dominate. Expect an active market leading up to Cinco de Mayo. Offshore fruit is also available from Florida and Texas.
California Red’s are in the warehouse now. Known for their vibrant pink to deep red flesh and sweet, slightly tangy flavor. Grown in California Red’s are especially popular for their high sweetness and juicy texture.
Markets are rising as the navel season moves past its peak, wrapping up in June. Small fruit will stay limited, and suppliers are closely managing remaining volume to cover contracts while delaying Valencia harvests. Valencia oranges are expected to start in early June to ensure supply through fall.
Pineapple supply will stay tight until late May, with peak volumes expected around the holidays. Flexibility in sizes will be needed to manage supply and demand. Costa Rican pineapples remain the main source, prioritizing contracted business. Large crownless pineapples are in high demand, and lower yields from tropical weather may impact availability and pricing. Mexican pineapples are available for loading in TX.
Demand is moderate industry-wide, with large sizes most readily available. Quality remains strong with most shippers, and Southern California leads in production. Supplies should stay steady this week.
As South Florida winds down over the next few weeks, supplies are tightening, and a slight gap is possible until Georgia ramps up around mid-May. Meanwhile, Mexican supplies remain steady, with good quality coming through McAllen, Nogales, and San Diego.
Mexico continues to deliver good eggplant volume and quality. Florida’s current supply is light, but new production is starting, with improved yields expected in South and Central Florida by early May. Georgia’s crop is ahead of schedule thanks to favorable weather. With increasing supply on both coasts, the market may soften soon.
Garlic quality remains strong, with steady supplies expected to continue in the coming weeks.
Grape prices are starting to climb, especially for quality green grapes. The market is divided, with troubled fruit selling at a discount. Red grapes are also seeing price increases, though at a slower pace than greens. Expect a wide range of quality and pricing.
Green onion supplies are plentiful, keeping the market steady. Expect this trend to continue into the weekend.
Production is up in the Salinas Valley, with moderate availability in Southern California. Quality is above average in both regions, with weights ranging from 39–44 lbs. Some slight misshapen heads and outer leaf discoloration have been noted, but overall quality remains strong.
Romaine, green, and red leaf lettuce will have good availability this week in the Salinas Valley, with moderate supply in the South if needed. Quality is strong in both regions. Romaine hearts are seeing solid production.
Tender leaf items like spinach and arugula continue to show great overall quality. While some fields are showing inconsistent sizing, the texture and color remain excellent. Expect the market and quality to stay steady heading into the weekend.
Kale supplies are abundant this week, with good quality expected. The market should remain steady heading into the weekend.
The cantaloupe market is strong, driven by recent retail ads. Guatemalan melons are affected by tariffs, with pricing strategies under review. The spring crop is available and peaking on larger sizes, though holiday delayed vessels have tightened supply. Mexican cantaloupes and honeydews are also peaking large, with new fields expected through late April into early May. The domestic season is on track to start by late May, possibly sooner.
The honeydew market remains steady, supported by recent retail ads. Guatemalan supplies are impacted by universal tariffs, with pricing under review. Mexican honeydews are peaking on larger sizes, with new fields coming online by late April. The domestic melon season is expected to begin by the last week of May, if not sooner.
The offshore watermelon season is winding down, while Mexican supply is increasing with the spring harvest. Florida’s domestic watermelons have just started, offering good quality, though demand remains light.
Storage onion production in Idaho and Oregon is wrapping up this week. Volume from Texas and Mexico is increasing, though labor and truck shortages, along with quality issues in red onions, are causing challenges. Brawley, CA is ramping up, offering all three colors. Vidalia’s direct from Georgia are in stock and available for order.
Domestic pears are nearly tapped out, with tight supplies expected to last until mid-July when California’s Bartlett crop arrives. Washington yields are down 25–50%, and Bosc is done for the season, leaving Anjou as the main variety—though its reign is shaky. Imported Bartletts are arriving from both coasts, filling the gap with enough volume to pressure the market and soften Anjou prices.
Florida continues to see many off-grade fruits, though new crop harvests are expected to begin this week in Plant City, with Georgia starting in about four weeks. Similarly, Nogales is winding down, while Coachella begins light harvests this week. Expect improved quality and sizing as we move into May.
The market is steady with stable pricing. Distributors prefer DLVD pricing, and deals are available on larger sizes. Planting is underway, including in Eastern Idaho. Color potatoes are available from FL, ID, and ND, with rising demand for yellow potatoes. Sweet potatoes are available from NC, Arkansas, and California.
Domestic stone fruit is 10–14 days out, starting with cherries and apricots, followed by peaches and nectarines, with plums arriving in early June. Imported peaches and nectarines are finished, and plums are nearly done. The kiwi market is steady, with domestic supply now supplemented by imports from Italy, Greece, and newly arriving Chilean fruit.
Squash supply is strong overall. Georgia will begin production in a few days, overlapping with Florida’s steady supply. Out west, there’s a moderate supply from Nogales, with the season running through the end of May before California production starts.
With multiple transitions across growing regions, supplies are lighter as old crop volume declines, particularly with romas. However, this should be short-lived as newer areas like Central Mexico, Ruskin/Palmetto, and Baja begin production.
*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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