For the week ending October 17, 2026
The new-crop apple parade is officially underway, although nobody has yet bothered to install a marching band. Galas and Honeycrisp are leading the charge, with Granny Smith and Golds stumbling along behind them. Reds and Fujis are waiting in the wings, while Pink Ladies are apparently taking their sweet time.
Asparagus prices are gradually easing as supplies increase, with Southern Baja leading production despite minor delays from Hurricane Polo. Heavier shipments are expected through early next week, with strong availability continuing into late October before tightening. Meanwhile, El Niño is reducing yields and quality in Northern Peru and Southern Ecuador, raising supply concerns for December and January, though improved production in Southern Peru is helping offset some shortages amid strong global demand.
The Flora Loca crop continues to be the primary variety, with the new Adventajada crop beginning to arrive. Current peak sizes are 60-count, followed by 48-count.
ON WATCH
Supplies continue to increase into mid-October as more fruit arrives from Central Mexico, improving availability and driving markets lower.
Conventional supplies from Central Mexico and Peru remain steady, while organic availability continues to be limited, with demand exceeding supply.
Supplies are becoming more stable as Mexican product continues to enter the U.S. through Texas and San Diego.
ALERT: California supplies are winding down as recent heat has reduced quality and yields in Salinas, Watsonville, Santa Maria, and Oxnard, with harvest crews slowing to maintain quality. Meanwhile, shipments from Central Mexico and Baja are increasing through Texas and San Diego and are expected to continue growing in the coming weeks.
ON WATCH
Broccoli supplies have improved slightly, but overall availability remains below normal. Diamondback Moth pressure continues to impact younger fields, reducing yields and limiting production. While supplies are showing some improvement, the market is expected to remain firm, with prices likely trending higher into next week. Six-week average pricing continues to be taken into consideration.
Brussels sprout supplies remain tight due to ongoing insect pressure affecting yields and availability. As demand increases, markets are expected to strengthen, with prices likely to rise in the near term.
Cauliflower availability has improved as more fields have come forward, allowing for heavier harvesting. While some suppliers may still experience gaps into next week, overall supplies are becoming more available. Diamondback Moth pressure continues to impact yields, particularly in South County and Santa Maria, but improved production is easing the overall supply situation. Expect the market to continue declining as availability improves.
Production has transitioned to the Cuyama/Lancaster region through October, with strong availability and good quality. Grimmway has also begun shipping from its new Minnesota facility, which is expected to run through late November or early December. Select SKUs will ship exclusively from this location, with pricing remaining consistent with California.
Star Ruby grapefruit are available, with peak sizing on 48-count fruit, shipping from Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
The lemon market remains steady, with tight supplies expected to keep pricing firm in the near term. Offshore fruit is available on both coasts as production transitions from Ventura County/Oxnard to the California Desert and Arizona regions.
Mexico lime supplies are tightening as production shifts to new growing regions, with hot weather expected to limit volumes through October. Prices are expected to remain firm, while larger sizes become more limited. Peak sizing is expected to be 200/230/250-count, with new-region fruit currently producing mostly 175/200/230-count sizes.
ALERT: The California Valencia crop continues to peak on larger sizes, primarily 56- and 72-count fruit, while 113- and 138-count oranges remain extremely limited. Size flexibility will be essential to ensure consistent supply, with larger fruit often needed as substitutions. Suppliers are managing contract size averages, and schools and DOD programs are encouraged to accept 88- or 72-count fruit. The domestic Navel season is expected to begin soon.
The market is steady to start the week, and we expect this pattern to continue. Santa Maria and Salinas will have good availability across all sizes throughout the week. Shippers continue to flex, creating good promotional opportunities. Quality remains above average with most shippers.
The cucumber market remains steady, with stable Eastern supplies supported by good quality and strong demand. Western availability has improved this week, with suppliers offering competitive pricing on super select and plain cucumbers.
Central Valley supplies remain steady, while Eastern local programs in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Michigan were limited this week. Overall quality remains good.
The 2026 California crop continues to ship with good quality and availability, meeting expectations as the season progresses.
The green grape market is up approximately two dollars from last week and is expected to continue strengthening in October as some shippers finish their harvest for the season. Sweet Globes and Autumn Kings will continue shipping from storage until imports begin arriving in November. The red grape market remains mostly steady, with some shippers showing slight increases as they work through their oldest varieties.
ALERT: Baja production remains extremely limited due to continued heat, lower yields, and smaller sizing, keeping the market firm. Water availability and potential monsoonal weather in October may create additional challenges, with improved supplies expected as fall production ramps up in mid-to-late October.
ALERTS
ALERT: Lower yields in Salinas and Santa Maria continue to keep supplies tight and the market active. Ongoing INSV pressure is limiting availability, while quality challenges, including outer-leaf discoloration, misshapen heads, and insect damage, remain a concern. With reduced yields, disease pressure, and steady demand, the market is expected to strengthen through the week.
ALERT: Light disease pressure continues on romaine, while conditions for green and red leaf have improved in both Salinas and Southern California. Supplies remain below budget, but lighter demand is providing better availability. Romaine hearts are moderately available, with the market expected to remain steady.
Some spring mix varieties have experienced occasional shelf-life issues, though overall quality remains fair to good. With another heat wave this week, fluctuating growth rates may impact quality, so shelf life should be monitored closely.
Kale supplies and quality remain good, with stable market conditions expected into next week.
Domestic cantaloupes continue shipping from Central California as the Westside season nears its end, with peak sizing on 9-count fruit. Cooler weather and lower yields are driving prices higher. Production will transition to Yuma in October, followed by offshore supplies at the end of November.
Domestic honeydews continue shipping from Central California as the Westside season winds down, with peak sizing on 5-count fruit. Cooler weather and lower yields are pushing prices higher. Nogales honeydews are expected later this month, with production transitioning to Yuma in October and offshore supplies by the end of November.
Watermelon demand and supplies are declining as cooler weather slows the market across growing regions. Limited shipments from Nogales are beginning, with stronger supplies expected throughout October.
ALERT: The summer onion season has ended, with storage onions now driving the market. Supplies remain tight due to strong demand, early regional season endings, and freight costs, while larger-size onions continue to be limited.
Washington Bartletts are peaking on larger sizes with 110s and smaller being only a small part of the packout. New-crop Anjou are just starting in a light way. Overall, the pear market remains mostly steady.
Green bell pepper supplies remain adequate, with Eastern production from Michigan, New York, and New Jersey expected through early to mid October. Quality in the East is mixed but improving, while Western supplies remain steady, though California weather may impact quality in the coming weeks.
ON WATCH
Extreme weather and El Niño conditions have reduced pineapple production, tightening supplies through the end of October. Contract orders should be covered, but limited open-market availability may push prices higher. Quality remains good, while crownless 8- and 10-count fruit and organic pineapples continue to be limited.
ON WATCH
Old crop Burbank potatoes have finished for the season, with the new crop experiencing sizing challenges, especially on 40–70 count potatoes. Washington quality remains strong, with peak availability on mid sizes, while larger and smaller counts are limited. Color potatoes are readily available, and sweet potato supplies from California and North Carolina remain tight until new crop volume increases.
East Coast squash supplies remain tight, with light production from North Carolina and New Jersey, while Georgia volumes continue to build ahead of Florida’s expected start in mid-to-late October. On the West Coast, yellow squash remains extremely limited, zucchini is slightly more available, and quality is mixed due to recent weather conditions.
Peaches are very nearly done and should end sometime in the next week.. Yellow nectarines, white peaches, and white nectarines are done. Small black plums remain plentiful and attractively priced, offering excellent value. Red plums are in much lighter supply and mostly in larger sizes. The kiwi market is slowly adjusting downward and availability is slowly improving. There are still some imports in the market and California production has started.
Round tomato supplies are improving slightly in the East as Virginia ramps up, while Tennessee winds down. Roma supplies remain tight, with California providing steady volume and good quality as Mexico sees reduced production. Grape tomato supplies are also tightening, with lighter Eastern production and limited Mexican volume until Florida begins shipping in mid-October. DelBene Produce is stocking and shipping MI grown roma, 5×5, 5×6, 4×4 2 layer tomatoes.
*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!
Order early so your kitchen's set. Questions? Call us at (313) 567-4658
Open
Closed
Open
Open
Closed
Closed
Open
Open
Closed
