For the week ending October 25, 2025
October may present challenges for securing food service size apples. Near-perfect weather in September promoted continued growth, and varieties like Gala and Granny Smith have sized up significantly. While later harvests could show some variation, current projections suggest that 125s and 138s will be less abundant than typically expected from a crop of this volume.
Tropical storms in Mexico have cut asparagus production to about 50%, pushing prices higher and increasing demand for Peruvian supply. Peru is shifting from southern to northern regions, with strong volumes expected by early December—just in time to offset Mexico’s uncertain outlook. Miami arrivals are back on track ahead of Thanksgiving.
Markets remain soft due to decreased demand and ample fruit still on the trees. Both Flora Loca and Aventajada crops are currently being harvested and shipped, with similar dry matter and oil content levels in the mid to high 20s.
This item is trending upward in response to increased weather-driven demand and is also being used as a substitute to help cover widespread shortages across row crops and berries
Markets remain firm amid fewer-than-expected Peruvian container arrivals. Central Mexico is gradually ramping up volume, while light shipments of Argentinean air freight berries are beginning to land in Florida.
Similar to the blackberry market, this item is seeing upward pressure due to weather-driven demand. It’s also being used as a fill item to help offset shortages across multiple commodities, including row crops and berries.
We’re in a demand-exceeds-supply market as rain in California has halted harvests, with growers stripping fields and delaying picks. Santa Maria is past peak, and while Oxnard is expected to improve slowly, more rain is forecast for Sunday and Monday. A significant production gap is expected until Central Mexico ramps up in about two weeks, with Baja still 4 to 6 weeks out. Fill rates will remain tight, and open market fruit will be extremely limited over the next 3 to 4 weeks.
Broccoli supplies remain very limited this week. Some pin-rot is showing up due to moisture on the crowns—mostly manageable, but still impacting yields. Managing insect pressure remains the top priority. Expect the market to trend upward heading into next week.
Brocollini supply remains very limited.
Brussels sprout supplies remain extremely limited, with growers in the Salinas Valley and Oxnard regions facing ongoing challenges from insect pressure, some decay, and smaller sizing.
Cauliflower supplies remain very limited as quality issues and increased insect pressure—particularly from diamondback moths and aphids — continue to reduce yields. Expect the market to stay elevated heading into next week.
Harvest is underway in the Cuyama/Lancaster region and will continue through November. Sizing is consistent with no issues expected.
Marsh Rubies are available, peaking at 48ct, and are shipped from Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley. Star Ruby is in stock and shipping.
Markets remain strong across all sizes, though some relief may come as District 1 (San Joaquin) begins light harvests in the next week. Fruit is slow to color and requires gassing, similar to navels. Volume should increase as cooler nights set in. District 3 (CA Desert/AZ) remains the main region but is tapering off. Sizes 140ct and smaller remain very limited. Mexico is also shipping, with loading available in South Texas.
Tropical Storm Priscilla is causing harvest halts and delays. Supplies are tightening, with price increases and loading delays expected. Larger sizes will dominate, while small fruit becomes scarce.
Valencias are nearly finished, with very limited availability on the open market. Navel shipments are expected to begin lightly next week, with more volume the week of the 27th. Rain has delayed harvest until possibly Thursday to allow groves to dry. Cooler nights in the mid-40s are helping with natural color. Navels will start with 72ct/88ct/113ct sizing, increasing as the season progresses. Domestic mandarins should begin in the next couple of weeks.
Good availability persists across all sizes of this commodity, with large sizes expected to have the best supply for at least the next few weeks. Supplies remain strong both north and south. Minimal seeder presence continues to be reported, and pricing is expected to stay competitive throughout the week.
Eastern supply is moderate as North Carolina winds down. South Florida will begin in late October to support the transition. Western supply remains steady from Baja, Central Mexico, and Sonora, with improving quality.
Eastern supply is moderate, led by Georgia. California supplies may tighten due to rain. Mexico is expected to begin crossings through Nogales by the end of the month.
The new California garlic crop is progressing well with good quality, complemented by continued Mexican supplies.
Grapes have struggled to find a market over the past three months, but that may be shifting—especially for green grapes. Supplies have been tightening, and with rain forecast in the Central Valley this week, many shippers are expected to finish harvesting soon. Growers are picking aggressively to beat the weather, while ample grapes remain in storage. Red grapes continue to be plentiful, so any price increases are expected to be modest compared to greens.
Green onion supplies remain limited due to weather-related quality issues and reduced yields in the Baja region. Expect the market to stay elevated heading into next week.
NOW STOCKING & SHIPPING MICHIGAN GROWN DILL.
Demand continues to outpace supplies and is expected to do so for at least the next few weeks. Pricing on value-added products remains elevated, especially on the second tier. INSV is the primary cause of product shortages in the Salinas Valley, leading to lighter weights, misshapen heads, and puffiness reported by all suppliers. Production has started in Huron this week and is expected to strengthen over the next three to four weeks.
Supplies of romaine, green leaf, and red leaf remain light and will continue to be limited throughout the week. Romaine hearts will have minimal availability for at least two weeks. Escalated pricing is in effect for all value-added items, with romaine on second-tier escalation and green and red leaf on first-tier. Expect lighter weights along with tip and fringe burn on most leaf items. Huron has started light production on leaf items, with volumes expected to increase next week.
Most tender leaf items remain in good supply with generally strong quality. Supplies are expected to stay steady heading into next week.
Kale supplies and quality remain strong, with similar conditions expected through next week.
The Westside deal is wrapping up as production shifts to Brawley/Yuma, though heavy rains have delayed the transition. Limited supplies and rising demand are pushing the market up. Fields continue to produce mostly 9s, with sizing expected to remain a challenge through the end of the domestic season.
The Westside deal is ending as production shifts to Brawley/Yuma, though recent heavy rains have delayed the transition. Limited supplies and strong demand are pushing the market higher until offshore product ramps up. Mexican honeydews are available in Nogales, with fields mainly producing sizes 4, 5, and 6.
Domestic watermelons are available on both coasts, but prices are rising as supply declines. Mexican watermelons through Texas and Nogales are limited due to rain-related production impacts last month.
Onions are currently shipping from Washington and Idaho, with California and New Mexico seasons finished. Demand remains strong domestically. Rain in Idaho may impact harvest schedules, and trucking and weather will influence the market through year-end.
Anjou pears are now in good production. Regular storage Bartletts are beginning to show lighter color and have shorter shelf life compared to a few weeks ago. Bosc and Red pears remain in good supply.
Eastern supply is moderate as local deals wrap up; the West remains light with possible rain delays, but Coachella is starting soon. Central Mexico is leading until Sonora/Obregón ramps up in late November. Good colored pepper availability from California, Mexico, and Canada. MI grown green peppers currently in stock and shipping.
Thunderstorms are still impacting growing regions in Costa Rica and will continue throughout the end of October 2025 and carry over to beginning of November 2025 Very Limited supplies on pineapples and will continue potentially though out the remainder of the year. Crownless Pineapples continue to be on High on demand. Expect substitution, cancelations and changes in orders. Mexican Pineapples are available on a limited basis. Overall quality and taste are good.
Idaho’s 40-70 market is steady with new crop arrivals. Burbanks are emerging; Norkoths dominate. Most harvests finish by 10/27/25. Washington offers quality small potatoes and color varieties. Trucking impacts the market. New sweet potatoes started lightly in NC but have curing issues.
Western markets remain high due to low supply and weather in Baja/Nogales. North Carolina’s fall crop is light; Northeast nearing finish. Georgia’s production slowed by clouds and whitefly, keeping prices firm.
MI grown acorn, butternut, delicata, kabocha, and spaghetti all in stock and shipping.
October marks the end of stone fruit season. Peaches and nectarines have finished, while plums continue to ship in light volumes and will likely wrap up before month’s end. Imported peaches and nectarines are expected to arrive on both coasts around mid-December. Pomegranates, persimmons, and Asian pears will be in good supply through October and November. The domestic kiwi market remains steady but at higher prices.
Markets are higher across all varieties as local supplies finish. Rounds: California is done; Baja/Mexico slowed by rain. Quincy has started with strong volume. Romas: Baja weather reduces crossings; East remains short. Grapes: market strengthens with limited availability and declining quality.
MI grown Grape, 4×4, 5×5, 5×6, and Roma tomatoes now in stock and shipping. 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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