For the week ending October 18, 2025
New crop Red Delicious and Fujis are being packed in greater volumes as the harvest advances. Pink supplies remain tight as old crop inventories wind down. Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Goldens continue to show solid availability, with supplies improving week by week. Cooler nights in Yakima, ranging from the high 40s to low 50s, are enhancing color development particularly for Reds, Fujis, and Pinks.
Mexico continues to face tight asparagus supplies due to strong demand and weather impacts, with Southern Baja down 50% and Northern Baja nearing the end. Sonora remains light but should improve by Thanksgiving as demand eases. Peru is rebounding, with northern fields ramping up and 97 containers expected in Miami—more than double last week—likely shifting the market to long ahead of the holidays.
Peak sizes are 48ct and 60ct with markets remaining depressed. Flora Loca is the main crop, producing very clean fruit with minimal #2 grade, typical for this season. California’s season is slowing and nearing its end. Offshore fruit supply is also winding down, with no more vessels arriving and remaining fruit mostly jumbo-sized.
Rain in Central Mexico has caused transfer delays from the border to the West Coast, leading to temporary shortages for some shippers. However, overall supplies remain relatively steady despite the disruptions.
Peruvian and Mexican imports remain limited due to ongoing port delays and reduced crossings through Texas.
Supplies remain steady out of Central Mexico, Baja, and California.
We’re currently in a demand-exceeds-supply market. Rain and humidity in California growing regions two weeks ago have slowed plant recovery, while excessive stripping and cooler, shorter days continue to impact yields. Santa Maria is past its peak, but Oxnard is expected to gradually improve week over week heading into November.
Broccoli supplies remain very limited this week. Some pin rot is being observed due to moisture on the crowns—mostly manageable but impacting yields. Insect pressure remains a key concern. Expect the market to strengthen heading into next week.
ALERT: Broccolini-demand is outpacing current supply.
Brussels sprout supplies remain limited as Salinas Valley and Oxnard regions continue to face insect pressure, decay issues, and smaller sizing.
Cauliflower supplies remain very limited due to quality issues and increased insect pressure from diamondback moths and aphids, resulting in lower yields. Expect the market to stay elevated into next week.
Harvest is underway in the Cuyama/Lancaster region and will continue through November. Sizing remains consistent with no issues expected.
Marsh Rubies are available, peaking at 48ct, shipped from Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley. Star Ruby is in stock and shipping.
Markets remain strong across all sizes. District 2 (Ventura/Oxnard) is the primary growing area, though volume is declining each week. Sizes 140ct and smaller are in very short supply. District 3 (CA Desert/AZ) is just beginning with light volume. Compared to last summer, markets are higher due to increased demand and fewer imports. Offshore shipments continue to arrive lightly on both coasts, while Mexico’s volume is down year over year.
Lime prices dipped this week due to lower demand. The new crop is mostly small-sized with improved color and shelf life, though some skin issues persist. Medium sizes are becoming more available, with 175s expected to peak soon and stronger movement anticipated next month.
Valencias are peaking on 72ct with roughly three weeks remaining in the season. Gas treatments are being applied for 3-4 days to help with regreening. Increased school demand is driving up markets for 88ct, 113ct, and 138ct sizes as supplies tighten. The domestic Navel season is anticipated to begin in mid-October.
The market remains steady both north and south. Large sizes continue to be the most limited in availability, though all orders are being fulfilled. Slight seeder presence is still being reported, but only minimally. Overall, supplies are expected to remain moderate throughout the week.
Mexico: Strong, steady production with excellent quality; some older West Coast fruit showing shriveled ends. East Coast: NC winding down, Georgia peaking but expected to slow with cooler temps and higher demand. Outlook: Early-week supply is good but will tighten as Midwest and Northeast seasons end. MI Cucumbers and pickling cucumbers are currently in stock and shipping (End of season).
Strong production in the East and Georgia; steady supply in the West. California yields are solid with good quality. Mexico crossings remain light, with seasonal volume expected by mid-November.
The new California garlic crop is progressing well with good quality, complemented by steady supplies from Mexico.
The grape market shows signs of advancing, but heavy inventories in storage are keeping prices flat. The full impact of recent storms may not be apparent until November.
Green onion supplies are limited due to weather-related quality issues and lower yields in the Baja region. Expect the market to remain elevated into next week.
NOW STOCKING & SHIPPING MICHIGAN GROWN DILL.
Light supplies are expected to continue for at least two weeks due to INSV impacting yields across all growers. Pricing on value-added products has reached a second-tier escalation and is likely to remain elevated through this week and next. Multiple shippers have reported lighter weights, puffiness, leaf discoloration, internal burn, brown butt, and misshapen heads upon arrival.
Romaine, along with green and red leaf, has become very limited in the marketplace. Escalated pricing is in effect for all value-added items— romaine is on second-tier escalation, while green and red leaf are on first-tier. Romaine hearts are also active with most suppliers. Expect lighter weights, along with tip and fringe burn on most leaf items.
MI grown Red Leaf & Green Leaf in stock & shipping. MI grown Romaine Hearts available in limited supplies.
Most tender leaf items are in good supply with generally good quality. Supplies are expected to remain steady into next week.
MI grown cilantro in stock and shipping.
Kale supplies and quality remain strong, with more of the same expected heading into next week.
The Westside season is winding down and will wrap up in the coming weeks. Domestic cantaloupe production will begin shifting south, followed by the start of the offshore program. Limited supplies and increasing demand are expected to drive the market up in the short term. Fields continue to produce mostly 9s, with sizing expected to remain a challenge until the transition to Yuma. Supplies of 12s and 15s will be especially tight. Brix levels are strong, ranging from 13 to 16. Cooler temperatures and recent rain in the Central Valley have impacted field conditions.
The Westside honeydew season is ending in a few weeks, with the transition south underway and offshore to follow. Nogales honeydews are available. Limited supplies and strong demand are pushing the market. Fields are producing mostly 5s and 6s, with 8s remaining tight until the Yuma transition. Brix levels are 13–16. Cooler temps and rain in the Central Valley have impacted fields.
Domestic watermelons are available from both coasts, but prices are rising as supplies decline. Mexican watermelons via Texas and Nogales are limited due to rain-related production impacts last month.
Onions are currently shipping out of Washington and Idaho, as the California and New Mexico seasons have ended. Demand remains strong across the U.S. Rain in Idaho may impact harvest schedules and will need to be monitored. Trucking and weather will continue to influence the market through year-end.
Pear markets remain steady at lower prices, with Washington supplying ample volume to carry the season forward. California production is expected to finish within the next couple of weeks.
Overall supply and quality remain strong across all regions. Coachella is expected to begin in 2–3 weeks, while Nogales may see some crossings by mid-November. The California season should continue through late November or early December, weather permitting. Georgia currently offers promotable volume. MI grown green peppers currently in stock and shipping.
Thunderstorms continue to affect growing regions in Costa Rica and are expected through the end of October, limiting pineapple supplies— potentially through year-end. Crownless pineapples remain in high demand, with substitutions, cancellations, and order changes likely. Mexican pineapples are available in limited volume, with good overall quality and flavor.
The Idaho potato market has stabilized with new crop Norkotahs; Burbanks are just starting. Mostly #1s are being packed, with #2s remaining tight. WA new crop is showing good quality and smaller sizing. Color potatoes are available. Trucking remains a key market factor. New crop NC sweet potatoes are starting in light volume with some curing issues; vine cutting is underway to set the skin.
Eastern supply is lighter as Michigan and the Northeast wind down. Georgia has started, with North Florida to follow soon. Mexico’s volume is expected to strengthen by late October. MI grown yellow squash and MI grown zucchini is now in stock and shipping. (Near end of season)
MI grown acorn, butternut, delicata, kabocha, and spaghetti all in stock and shipping.
The nectarine season has come to a close, with peaches expected to wrap up by next week. Plums are beginning to taper off but should continue shipping for at least the next couple of weeks. Domestic kiwi is now in season, with volume steadily increasing in the weeks ahead, and markets remaining stable at higher price points. Meanwhile, the fall fruit harvest is underway, featuring Asian pears, persimmons, pomegranates, and quince all coming into production.
East: Strong round supply from VA & TN through Oct; North FL ramps up late Oct–Nov. West: Steady rounds and romas from CA, Baja, and Central MX; CA wraps in 2–3 weeks. Grapes: Abundant supply; VA active, Ruskin/Palmetto starts mid-Oct; Baja & Central MX steady.
MI grown Grape, 4×4, 5×5, 5×6, and Roma tomatoes now in stock and shipping (Near end of season).
*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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