For the week ending May 31, 2025
Prices are steady, and the market remains unchanged. Foodservice sizes are plentiful. Small sizes are scarce in Honeycrisp and Cosmic Crisp. Some shippers are calling it quits for the 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 are strong in both Washington and Michigan, with steady volume also coming in from Mexico and Peru. Expect the market to hold steady this week. We are currently stocking & shipping Michigan asparagus.
Markets are starting to settle as offshore volumes increase on both coasts. Supplies of 48ct and smaller fruit are improving, while larger sizes remain tight. The Normal crop has about 5–6 weeks left before Flora Loca takes over. Meanwhile, California’s season is in full swing.
Berry production in Salinas/Watsonville and Santa Maria remains steady, while decreased demand has led to softer markets.
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.
Supplies from Mexico are increasing, leading to softer markets.
Prices are trending slightly higher while supplies remain steady. California production is expected to start in late June.
Broccoli quality remains strong, with excellent color and sizing in the fields. The market is expected to stay steady into next week.
Brussels sprout supplies are improving, and the market is expected to trend lower heading into next week.
The cauliflower market is slowly climbing as fields hit a slight gap. Expect prices to continue rising heading into the weekend.
Harvest in the Imperial Valley is strong and will continue through this month before moving to the Bakersfield area. Lake Park, GA is shipping volumes of chunks, cellos, jumbos, and babies, expected to last through the month.
Markets remain strong, with 140ct and smaller sizes in tight supply. Shippers are monitoring numbers, and small fruit is expected to stay limited until District 2 ramps up in June. District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) is the main growing region, with minimal support from District 2 (Ventura County/Oxnard).
The market remains firm, especially on larger sizes. Fruit is peaking on smaller sizes like 23/250 and even 275ct. Offshore fruit is available but also tight due to strong demand. The lack of rain in growing regions has resulted in smaller sizes.
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.
The Navel season is winding down and will end in June, with small fruit remaining limited. Suppliers are monitoring field projections to manage contracts and avoid early transition to Valencia. The Valencia season is set to ramp up in early June.
The market remains steady with all sizes readily available and pricing highly competitive. Quality is strong, with minimal seeder reported. Suppliers are still adding a delivery charge for loads outside Santa Maria/Oxnard, making direct loading in those areas the best option for optimal pricing.
Georgia volumes are currently light but expected to increase, with good quality reported. Nogales supply is moderate, while Baja and Central Mexico are gaining momentum, offering strong overall supply.
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 strong, with solid supplies expected in the coming weeks. Mexican peeled garlic has started this week.
The grape market remains mostly steady at higher prices. As Chile winds down, Mexico is ramping up quickly. Expect prices to ease slightly next week. Quality has been very good so far.
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 remain strong, with the market expected to stay steady into next week.
The market is slightly stronger due to pricing gaps, with overall quality remaining above average. Minor defects like pinking on ribs, outer leaf discoloration, and misshapen heads are minimal. Weights average 39-44 pounds industry-wide, with production available from both north and south throughout the week.
Green and red leaf, as well as romaine, will be readily available this week. Shippers have ample supplies and are flexible with larger orders. Steady production of romaine hearts will continue, with minimal fringe and tip burn reported. Expect good quality throughout the week.
All tender leaf lettuce is in good supply with excellent quality. Fields are showing consistent sizing, texture, and color. Expect supplies and quality to remain strong through the weekend.
Kale supplies and quality are strong this week, and this trend is expected to continue into next week.
The cantaloupe market is strong. The domestic season is here with great quality and favorable Brix levels, along with good sizing and availability. Mexican cantaloupes from Nogales are winding down, peaking on larger sizes in both regions. The offshore season is also ending.
The honeydew market is strong. Mexican honeydews from Nogales are available with better sizing and availability, while the domestic melon season has started slowly.
Domestic watermelons are now available from Florida, with California supplies expected to start in June. We are currently stocking and shipping Florida watermelons.
Storage onion production from the PNW is nearly complete, and the Texas crop is winding down, with Mexican crossings continuing through July. Contracts are active from the CA desert, moving to central CA by the second week of June. LTL and FTL delivery options are available. GA onions are available in all three colors, though quality and sizing may be affected by recent rain in the region.
The domestic pear market is stable to slightly lower, meaning not much is happening, but we’re calling it something anyway. Supply remains limited, like decent Wi-Fi in the produce aisle. Experts predict the market will stay uneventful until mid-July when California’s new Bartlett crop arrives to gently shake things up. Until then, patience, optimism, and maybe some apples are recommended.
Green Bells: Harvests are strong in California’s Imperial Valley and starting in Georgia, with ample supply and low prices out of Nogales as Mexico winds down. Red Bells: Mexican supply is tightening with quality concerns, and limited upcoming harvests in California are expected to push prices higher over the next two weeks.
Supplies are tight, and substitutions may be needed for the rest of the week. However, improvements are expected in the coming weeks.
The market is steady with stable pricing. Distributors prefer DLVD, and deals are available as storage crops end and new crops begin, with planting underway in Eastern Idaho. CA color potato interest is rising, and yellow potato demand is increasing. Color potatoes are available from CA, ID, ND, WI, and FL, with sweet potatoes from NC, Arkansas, and California.
The domestic stone fruit season has begun. Peaches are increasing in volume daily, and nectarines are gaining momentum. Apricots and cherries remain in limited supply, keeping prices high. Plums are expected to start shipping in the first week of June.
The market is generally weak, with Nogales winding down quickly. Production in Santa Maria and Selma is increasing, and Georgia is offering strong volume and quality.
Tomato markets are active due to tightening supplies and regional transitions. Round tomatoes are facing reduced acreage in Mexico and staggered U.S. harvests, with an active market expected over the next two weeks. Roma, grape, and cherry tomatoes are stable quality and sufficient supply.
*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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