For the week ending October 3, 2026
New-crop apple harvest continues to build momentum, with Galas and Honeycrisp now well underway and Granny Smith and Golds following closely behind. Reds and Fujis are nearing the market, while Pink Lady harvest is still ahead. Most varieties remain steady, with prices holding at elevated levels for the time being.
ALERT: Mexican asparagus remains very limited, though increased open-market offerings suggest availability may improve slightly in the coming weeks. Prices remain high as weather and low yields continue to constrain production in Baja and Sonora, while Hermosillo output begins to increase. Peruvian supply is gradually improving in the South, with Chincha and Ica producing above projections and reporting good quality, while Northern Peru continues to face weather-related pressure and declining yields. Strong global demand and the upcoming December–February transition are expected to keep U.S. supplies challenging.
Flora Loca remains the main crop at the moment, though we are beginning to see a very light start to the new crop, Adventajada. The peak sizes we are currently seeing are 60ct, followed by 48ct.
ON WATCH
We are seeing slightly improved coverage from most shippers on this item, with a slow but steady increase in supply expected from Central Mexico and Baja over the next few weeks.
Supplies from Peru remain steady, while Central Mexico is expected to see increased production moving into October.
Better supplies are expected to begin crossing into the U.S. from Mexico, helping to stabilize the market.
The Salinas and Watsonville areas are expected to decline rapidly over the next few weeks, with some shippers transitioning operations this weekend to Santa Maria and Oxnard. The Baja season is now underway, with product loading through San Diego and Otay Mesa, while Central Mexico is expected to increase crossings into Texas over the coming weeks.
ALERT
Broccoli supplies remain very tight, with Diamondback Moth pressure impacting younger fields, reducing yields, and further limiting production. With supply challenges continuing, expect the market to strengthen and prices to trend higher heading into next week. Six-week averages have been taken into consideration.
ALERT: Brussels sprout supplies remain tight due to ongoing insect pressure, which continues to impact yields and availability. With demand increasing, the market is expected to strengthen, resulting in a modest rise in pricing in the near term.
ALERT: Cauliflower supplies remain very tight as production for most suppliers have gapped. Heavy Diamondback Moth pressure, especially in South County and Santa Maria, continues to severely impact yields. Warm weather is adding to field challenges, with little improvement expected. Some suppliers may need to source outside product to fill orders. Expect limited supplies and a difficult market to continue.
The main crop has now transitioned to the Cuyama/Lancaster growing region, which is expected to continue through the month of October. Availability is strong, with good overall quality. Grimmway has also started running their Minnesota region, and we anticipate running this program through the end of November/early December. We will be offering the following SKUs from this facility. This is the first year operating out of the Minnesota facility, and for the time being, we will only be shipping the SKUs listed below from this location. Pricing will remain the same as California.
Star Ruby are available, peaking at 48ct, with shipments coming 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, while District Two (Ventura County/Oxnard) is in full production and supplying the majority of volume.
ALERT: Mexico lime supplies are tightening as production transitions to new growing regions, with hot weather expected to limit volume through October. Pricing is expected to remain firm, with larger sizes becoming increasingly scarce. The crop is currently peaking on 200s, 230s, and 250s, while new-region fruit is sizing primarily to 175s, 200s, and 230s.
ALERT: The California Valencia orange crop continues to peak on larger sizes, primarily 56ct and 72ct fruit. Small sizes, especially 113ct and 138ct, remain extremely limited and are expected to stay tight through the remainder of the season. To help ensure consistent supply, flexibility on size and grade will be necessary, with substitutions to larger-size Valencias likely required. Suppliers are maintaining contract size averages while managing overall availability. Schools and DoD programs are encouraged to accept 88ct or 72ct fruit whenever possible to support order fulfillment.
The market is steady to start the week and is expected to remain that way throughout. Santa Maria/Oxnard and Salinas will provide all sizes, with above-average quality from most shippers. School demand has been relatively slow, and shippers are flexing, making this a good commodity to promote.
The cucumber market remains steady. Eastern growers continue to report stable supplies, supported by good quality and consistent demand. In the West, availability has improved this week.
Central Valley supplies remain steady, while regional programs in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Michigan saw lighter volumes this week. Overall quality remains good with supplies generally meeting demand.
We are currently shipping the 2026 California crop, with production expected to continue through late September. Quality remains strong, and supplies are meeting expectations as the season progresses.
The green grape market is up approximately $2 from last week, with pricing expected to strengthen further in October as some shippers complete harvest. Sweet Globe and Autumn King varieties will continue shipping from storage until imports arrive in November. Red grape markets remain mostly steady, though some shippers have implemented slight increases as they work through older varieties.
ALERT: Baja production is expected to remain very limited over the next 1-2 weeks due to heat, lower yields, and smaller sizing. Tight supplies are keeping the market firm, with weather and water availability adding further risk. Meaningful relief is not expected until fall production begins in mid-to-late October.
ALERTS
ALERT: An industry-wide shortage continues to impact lettuce supplies, with lower yields reported in both the Salinas Valley and Santa Maria. INSV remains a major contributor to the shortage, limiting availability and putting added pressure on shippers. Quality concerns include discoloration, misshapen heads, and insect damage, with weights ranging from 37–44 lbs. Expect tight supplies and a strengthening market throughout the week. Shortages, in some cases, forcing grower/shippers to purchase acreage and/or finished product.
ALERT: Romaine availability remains good, with moderate supplies of romaine hearts and lighter demand creating strong promotional opportunities. Shippers have additional flexibility to support ad programs, increase movement, and pursue new business. Disease pressure remains light, while green and red leaf conditions have improved in the Salinas Valley and Southern California. Supplies remain below budget, but availability should remain favorable, with the market expected to hold steady in the mid-to-high teens.
Overall quality remains good, but select Spring Mix components have experienced occasional shelf-life issues and breakdown. Close shelf-life monitoring is strongly recommended, particularly on arrivals and throughout shipping rotation, to ensure product is being shuttled out and marketed promptly. Recent heat has also caused inconsistent Spinach sizing, although the cooler temperatures should help improve size consistency moving forward.
Kale supplies and quality remain strong, with stable growing conditions expected to support consistent availability into next week.
Domestic cantaloupes are shipping from Central California as the Westside season winds down. The crop is peaking on 9ct fruit, but cooler weather and lower yields are driving prices higher. Production is expected to transition to Yuma in October, followed by offshore supplies in late November.
Domestic honeydews are shipping from Central California as the Westside season winds down. The crop is peaking on 5ct fruit, but cooler weather and lower yields are putting upward pressure on pricing. Nogales supplies are expected to begin later this month, with the transition to Yuma in October and offshore production in late November.
Watermelon demand and supplies are easing as cooler weather reduces movement across growing regions. Limited Nogales crossings are expected to begin soon, with stronger volume anticipated in October.
ALERT: Summer onions have transitioned fully into storage season, which is now driving the market. Supplies remain tight due to strong demand and several growing regions ending earlier than expected. Freight costs continue to support elevated pricing, while availability is still building, with larger-size onions remaining especially challenging to source.
Washington Bartlett pears continue to peak on larger sizes, with 110s and smaller representing only a limited portion of packouts. New-crop Anjous are just beginning to ship in light volume. Overall, the pear market remains steady, with some California Bartletts still available from Central Valley growers.
Eastern quality is mixed, though improvement is anticipated from New Jersey. Western supply remains steady,
Pineapple supplies continue to tighten due to the natural flowering season. Contract orders are expected to remain covered, but open-market availability will be more limited. Quality remains good overall. On the crownless side, 8ct and 10ct fruit remain very tight, with organic pineapples also in short supply. For crowned fruit, supplies of 6ct and 7ct sizes are improving, while 8ct availability remains steady.
Old-crop Burbanks are finished, and the market has transitioned to newcrop potatoes. Sizing remains a challenge, especially on 40ct and 70cts, with lead times needed on some orders. Washington potatoes offer excellent quality, peaking on mid-size counts, while large and small sizes remain tight. Color potatoes are available from ID, WA, CA, MN, and WI. Sweet potato supplies from CA and NC remain limited, and the Mississippi crop is off to a slow start.
East Coast squash supplies remain tight, with light volume from NC/NJ and Georgia slowly improving. West Coast yellow squash remains extremely limited, while zucchini availability is slightly better.
Peach harvest is winding down and is expected to conclude within the next week. Yellow nectarines, white peaches, and white nectarines are finished for the season. Small black plums remain plentiful and competitively priced, while red plums are available in lighter volume and primarily larger sizes. The kiwi market remains firm on limited supplies, though availability is gradually improving as California production increases and import volumes continue to supplement the market.
Round tomato supplies are improving in the East, led by Virginia, while California continues to provide steady volume and larger sizes. Roma supplies remain tight, with California steady and Mexico seeing lighter production. Grape tomato availability is also tightening as Eastern production winds down and Mexican volumes remain limited. DelBene Produce is stocking and shipping MI grown grape, 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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