For the week ending May 9, 2025
The market remains steady overall. Supplies are seasonally declining and are expected to come into balance with softer demand in May. As schools break for summer, pricing should remain close to current levels. Retail bag programs continue to absorb a significant portion of smaller fruit, requiring foodservice customers to adapt by utilizing alternative sizes. Availability of 100-count and smaller fruit remains tight across Cosmic Crisp, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Gala, a trend expected to persist through the end of the season until the arrival of the new crop.
ALERT: Mexican asparagus is very limited as Sonora ends harvest and Baja ramps up too late for Mother’s Day, with improvement expected by mid May and more volume from Central Mexico in late May into June. Peruvian supply is steady with limited near term growth as production shifts north, with better volume in late June and July, while tight air freight from Ecuador is expected to ease soon; quality remains fair with some issues, and ocean shipments are increasing slowly with modest short term relief.
Markets are steady at lower levels with ample fruit on the trees and consistent demand. Peak sizes are 48ct, with dry matter and oil content in the low 30s, and fruit is eating very well. We will share updates if anything changes on the avocado front.
Supplies are improving, with California expected to increase production this week.
CMEX, California, Georgia, and Florida are all currently in production, helping to ease pricing across all pack styles. The PNW season is expected to begin in the next 3–4 weeks.
TIGHT SUPPLY: Supplies from CEMEX remain limited. California hoop berry production is expected to ramp up over the next few weeks, and markets are already trending lower in response.
ALERT – MARKET UP: Supply issues. Recent rainfall and persistently cold temperatures are reducing yields. The Mother’s Day pull is now in full swing, and large open-market orders are increasingly difficult to secure at any price. Shippers are prioritizing contracts and previously committed volumes. Availability is expected to improve heading into the weekend, though demand is projected to strengthen through next week, which will likely keep the market tight.
ALERT: Broccoli supplies are extremely limited. With yields affected by recent heat and rain, followed by cooler temperatures, expect the market to edge slightly higher heading into next week.
ALERT:Brussels sprout supplies are fair but leaning slightly tight. The market is expected to tick up modestly as we head into the weekend.
ALERT: Cauliflower supplies are extremely limited, with yields declining as we move into the weekend. As a result, the market is expected to tick slightly higher heading into next week.
MARKET ON WATCH: The Imperial Valley is currently the main growing region, with availability expected to improve in the next 3–4 weeks as Bakersfield comes back online, weather permitting. Shippers entered Imperial Valley fields earlier than ideal due to limited supply from Bakersfield, resulting in smaller sizing and putting growers in a difficult position, which has led to a slowdown in harvests to allow product to size up properly. While the carrot market was already under pressure, continued harvesting at reduced sizing would have further strained the industry. Over the next few weeks, sizing should improve along with stronger overall availability.
Star Ruby grapefruit are currently available, primarily peaking on 48ct fruit, and are shipping out of Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
ALERT: District 1 (San Joaquin Valley) is currently supporting District 2 (Oxnard/Ventura County), which has become the primary growing region. In this coastal production area, sizing is peaking on 115s, 95s, and 140s, with approximately 70% choice and 30% fancy due to growing conditions. Markets remain extremely tight on 165s and smaller lemons.
The lime market is easing after months of high prices, with further stabilization expected in the coming weeks and a larger drop likely after Cinco de Mayo. Quality and shelf life are good as new crop comes online. Small sizes (230s/200s) are peaking and offer the best value, while larger sizes (110s/150s) will remain tight into early summer. Colombia and Peru are expected to exit by late May due to unfavorable market conditions.
ALERT: The California Navel crop is heavily skewed toward larger sizes, peaking on 56ct and 72ct fruit. Small sizes (113ct and 138ct) are very limited and expected to stay tight through the rest of the Navel season and into the Valencia transition, which may begin in the next few weeks. Flexibility on size will be necessary, with substitutions into larger fruit likely as suppliers maintain contract averages. Please communicate these sizing constraints to schools and DOD programs and encourage acceptance of 88ct or 72ct fruit.
ALERT: The Santa Maria and Oxnard regions continue to see moderate to light supplies of this commodity, and markets are expected to remain tight throughout the week as demand continues to exceed available supply. Overall quality remains good, with only slight seeding being reported. As a result, all value-added items for this commodity are expected to remain elevated for at least the next few weeks.
MARKET ON WATCH: Mexican supply is tightening as growers exit older fields, driving prices back up to seasonal levels. Florida production remains steady, supported by favorable weather and consistent supply, keeping pricing stable. Georgia is just beginning with light volume, with promotable supplies expected by mid-May.
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 well with strong quality, while Mexican supplies continue to supplement and support the California harvest.
South American import markets have leveled off and are expected to remain steady through the final couple of weeks of the season. Mexico has begun very light shipments of both red and green grapes at pricing well above Chilean fruit, while domestic grapes from Coachella are just starting in limited volume at even higher prices than Mexico. As additional growing regions ramp up, all markets are expected to soften.
Green onion supplies remain good overall, with availability expected to stay steady into next week, weather permitting as temperatures fluctuate.
ALERT – SUPPLY SHORTAGE: Expect extremely elevated markets and limited supplies until Salinas and Santa Maria harvesting is fully underway in early May. The Arizona-California season has ended.
ALERT: The market remains very active and is expected to stay that way for at least the next few weeks, with demand continuing to exceed industrywide supplies. Common quality issues include outer leaf discoloration, lighter weights, and misshapen heads. Value-added items will remain elevated across all processors. Production is currently coming out of the Salinas Valley and Southern California, with Mexico contributing light volumes as well.
ALERT: Romaine, along with green and red leaf, has tightened industry-wide, with escalated pricing now in effect on all value-added leaf items. Availability is expected to remain limited over the next few weeks. Romaine hearts are also in short supply across all shippers, with lighter weights and smaller bunch sizing anticipated. Light fringe burn has been reported as well.
Tender leaf items such as spinach, cilantro and arugula continues to be in good supplies. Baby Kale is currently on the tighter side with lower than expected crop yields and slower crop growth.
Kale supplies and quality remain mostly good, with expectations for steady conditions to continue into next week.
Offshore cantaloupes are currently available in California, Texas, Florida, and the Northeast. Pricing has stabilized as retail ad activity winds down. Mexican cantaloupes are also available, with domestic production expected to begin in May
Offshore and Mexican honeydews are currently available, both offering excellent quality.
Supply out of Mexico has improved and pricing has returned to more normalized levels. Additional deals are expected as domestic watermelon production comes online.
ALERT: PNW onion supplies are nearly finished, with a warm winter leading to quality concerns that brought the season to an early close. Texas onion availability is limited due to recent rainfall over the past two weeks. California is now the primary source, focusing on contract fulfillment while inventory builds.
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 are plentiful. New crop California Bartletts are projected to start 2–3 weeks early and may be available in June.
Florida supply is strong with light demand, keeping pressure on prices while quality remains solid despite recent rain. Mexican crossings are minimal, while Coachella is ramping up and lowering prices to stay competitive. Green bells present a strong promotional opportunity, with Georgia volume expected soon.
ALERT: The pineapple market is steady but remains tight due to earlier rainfall and planting gaps. With Mother’s Day approaching, demand is expected to increase, keeping conditions tight. Contract orders continue to receive priority. Larger sizes (6 and 7 count with crowns) are becoming more available, while 8 count crowned fruit remains steady. Crownless 8 and 10 count sizes are still limited, and organic pineapples continue to be in short supply.
Supply and demand are balanced, with deals available on 40–50ct and #2s, while smaller sizes are tight. Burbank and Norkotah potatoes are available, with Washington quality strong and peaking on mid-sizes. Florida colored potatoes are limited due to freeze damage. Trucking costs are impacting the market with higher fuel prices. Yellow potatoes are tight, reds are more available, and North Carolina sweet potatoes remain limited until new crop.
Mexico supply has dropped sharply, leading to very tight availability, especially in the West. Florida production is solid, but prices remain elevated due to strong demand and reduced Mexican supply. Georgia is ramping up quickly, with increasing volumes expected to help ease market conditions soon.
New crop peaches and apricots have begun in California, with nectarines expected to follow next week and plums starting by the end of May. Kiwi supplies remain tight due to a slow start from Chile.
ALERT: Supply remains tight in both Florida and Mexico, with round and vine-ripe tomatoes extremely limited, especially in the West, where availability is nearly nonexistent. Romas are carrying most of the demand, adding pressure and keeping that category very snug. Grape and cherry tomatoes are available but inconsistent as Nogales winds down and crossings remain limited. Overall, expect continued tight supply and limited flexibility over the next couple of weeks until new regions come online.
*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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