For the week ending October 25, 2026
New crop apples are underway for most varieties. Pink Lady’s should start in a small way later this week with at least a few shippers. All varieties are running heavy to the larger sizes and food service sized apples are tight because of it. This is a light apple crop overall and the market, while manageable, is likely to stay higher than last year for most varieties.
A surge in supply and weak demand have driven asparagus prices lower, but the market is expected to tighten in the coming weeks. Heavy rains from Hurricane Polo accelerated harvests in Mexico, leading to reduced supplies later in the season, while lower production in Baja, Hermosillo, and Peru is expected to create supply challenges beginning in November and continuing through the transition to Caborca in early 2027.
The Flora Loca crop continues to be the primary harvest, with early volumes of the new Adventajada crop beginning to arrive. Current production is peaking on 60-count fruit, followed by 48-count sizes.
ON WATCH
Supplies are steadily increasing as we move into late-October. The fruit is coming from Central Mexico and Baja. Rain in the growing areas has caused some logistical issues making crossings more sporadic.
Supplies remain steady coming from Cmex and Peru on conventional fruit. Organic offerings are still very light and demand exceeds supply for that SKU.
Supplies remain steady coming from Cmex and Peru on conventional fruit. Organic offerings are still very light and demand exceeds supply for that SKU.
The Santa Maria and Oxnard areas are recovering from the recent heat events we experienced in early October. Harvests are expected to increase in both areas due to optimum growing conditions projected over the next few weeks. Mexican growing regions in CMEX and Baja have experienced recent rain events caused by Hurricane activity. Crossings are continuing but quality and consistency have been affected negatively.
ON WATCH
ALERT: The Santa Maria and Oxnard areas are recovering from the recent heat events we experienced in early October. Harvests are expected to increase in both areas due to optimum growing conditions projected over the next few weeks. Mexican growing regions in CMEX and Baja have experienced recent rain events caused by Hurricane activity. Crossings are continuing but quality and consistency have been affected negatively.
ALERT: Brussels sprout supplies remain tight as ongoing insect pressure continues to reduce yields and limit availability. With demand increasing, market conditions are expected to strengthen, resulting in modest price increases in the near term.
Cauliflower supplies continue to improve as additional fields come into production, increasing overall availability. While some suppliers may still experience occasional gaps, stronger harvests are helping offset ongoing Diamondback Moth pressure. As supplies continue to build, the market is expected to soften, creating more promotional opportunities.
Carrot production has transitioned to the Cuyama/Lancaster growing region, where harvest will continue through October. Supplies are strong, with good quality. Grimmway has also begun production at its new Minnesota facility, which is expected to run through late November or early December. Pricing from the Minnesota program will remain consistent with California.
Star Ruby grapefruit are available, with peak sizing on 48-count fruit, and are shipping from Riverside and California’s San Joaquin Valley.
The lemon market remains steady, with tight supplies expected to keep pricing firm in the near term. District 2 production is winding down as District 3 ramps up, while offshore product remains available on both coasts.
Supplies are expected to gradually improve over the coming weeks, providing some relief to FOB pricing. New-crop sizing continues to favor smaller fruit, limiting larger sizes and requiring substitutions. Quality concerns, including external blemishes and reduced shelf life, remain present.
ALERT: The California Valencia orange crop continues to peak on larger sizes, primarily 56ct and 72ct fruit, while smaller sizes remain extremely limited. Buyers should expect continued substitutions to larger sizes and flexibility with size and grade as suppliers manage contract averages. Schools and DOD programs are encouraged to accept 88ct or 72ct fruit whenever possible. The domestic Navel season is expected to begin soon.
The celery market remains steady, with good availability across all sizes in Santa Maria and Salinas. Strong supplies continue to create promotional opportunities, while quality remains above average across most shippers.
Eastern cucumber supplies are expected to improve with warmer, sunnier weather following recent rains in Georgia. In the West, supplies remain tight as Baja winds down and mainland Mexico ramps up. Larger sizes continue to be limited but should improve over the next few weeks.
Georgia is at peak production, with strong supplies and good quality expected over the next two weeks before volumes gradually decline. In the West, supplies remain light, but increasing production from mainland Mexico next week should help improve availability and ease market conditions.
Continuing to ship 2026 California crop, which is expected to remain in production through late September. Quality and availability are currently meeting expectations as the season progresses.
Domestic grapes are finally getting out from under the glut of supplies that we saw all summer. The season started 3 weeks early and never slowed down. Some shippers had as many as 5-6 varieties of both reds and greens in their cooler at the same time. That situation has changed as most shippers are close to the end of harvest. That said, there are still plenty of “storage grapes” that were picked into totes to be packed later. Expect domestic and imported greens to overlap next month. At this point we are not expecting a gap between domestics and imported greens or reds.
ALERT: Baja production remain limited this week due to continued heat, lower yields, and smaller sizing. Tight supplies have kept the market firm, with October water availability and potential monsoonal weather posing additional risks. Improved supplies are expected going into next week.
ALERTS
ALERT: Iceberg supplies remain extremely limited in both the Salinas Valley and Santa Maria due to lower yields and ongoing INSV pressure. Huron is beginning to come online and may provide some additional volume, but overall availability remains tight as industry-wide shortages continue to challenge order fulfillment. Quality issues, including outer-leaf discoloration, misshapen heads, occasional insect damage, and lighter carton weights, remain a concern. Markets are expected to stay firm through the week as limited supplies and steady demand continue to support higher pricing
ALERT: Romaine disease pressure remains light, while green and red leaf quality has improved in both the Salinas Valley and Southern California. Despite these improvements, supplies remain below expectations, with demand continuing to outpace production. Romaine hearts are moderately available, but overall markets have strengthened, with tight supplies pushing prices up.
Leaf items are showing good quality and strong supplies, creating promotional opportunities on tender leaf products while other row crops remain tight.
Kale supplies remain plentiful, with good quality and steady market conditions expected to continue into next week.
Domestic cantaloupes continue to ship from Central California as the Westside season nears completion. Production is peaking on 9-count fruit, with cooler weather and lower yields keeping the market firm. The transition to Yuma is expected in October, followed by offshore supplies in late 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 both declining as cooler weather sets in across growing regions. Limited Nogales shipments are beginning, with improved availability expected as production increases through October.
ALERT: The summer onion season has officially ended, with storage onions now driving the market. Supplies remain tight due to strong demand, regional production challenges, and higher freight costs. Availability is gradually improving, though larger sizes continue to be limited.
The pear crop is peaking on larger sizes, with 100-count and smaller fruit remaining in limited supply. Similar to apples, foodservice-size pears are expected to remain tight, keeping FOB pricing elevated throughout the season.
Bell pepper markets are firming as Central Valley production winds down. Coachella is expected to begin in 10–14 days, while Nogales supplies will gradually increase and improve into late November. Limited Canadian colored bell supplies are also keeping red pepper markets elevated.
ALERT
El Niño-driven weather has reduced pineapple production, tightening supplies and keeping open-market prices elevated through the end of October. Contract orders are expected to remain covered, and quality remains good. Crownless 8- and 10-count and organic pineapples continue to be the tightest items.
ON WATCH
Old-crop Burbank potatoes are finished, with new-crop production now underway. New-crop sizing remains a challenge, especially on 40–70 count potatoes, and is expected to stay tight throughout the season. Washington quality is excellent, with production peaking on mid sizes, while larger and smaller counts remain limited. Color potatoes are readily available, but sweet potato supplies remain tight until new-crop harvests increase.
Eastern squash supplies remain limited but are expected to improve with better weather in Georgia, while North Carolina nears the end of its season. In the West, mainland Mexico production is increasing, providing good yellow squash availability, though zucchini markets may remain firm due to weather-related supply concerns.
The domestic stone fruit season is coming to a close, with peaches and nectarines finished and plums expected to wrap up in early November. Domestic kiwi and Asian pears remain in good supply and are excellent options for school program menus.
Tomato markets remain firm as limited supplies and quality challenges continue to impact availability. Round and Roma tomatoes are especially tight on larger sizes, while snacking tomatoes remain in very short supply, particularly in the East. Mexican production is helping support the market but is not keeping pace with demand. 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.
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