For the week ending September 26, 2026
The apple market continues to strengthen as strong school demand meets increasingly limited supplies. Fuji, Pink Lady, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Granny Smith prices are trending higher, with Fuji supplies expected to remain especially tight over the next several weeks. Gala and Honeycrisp are bucking the trend as new-crop harvesting gets underway, with improving Gala supplies helping keep the market relatively steady while Honeycrisp availability continues to build.
ALERT: Mexican asparagus supplies remain extremely limited, with open-market prices among the highest we’ve seen. Baja yields remain low due to heat, rain, and seasonal conditions, with little improvement expected through October. Sonora is beginning to transition in, while El Niño continues to pressure supplies. Peru is also limited, with Ica providing the best quality. Some improvement in Southern Peru is expected in early October.
Flora Loca remains the primary crop at the moment, although we are starting to see a small amount of the new crop, Adventajada, coming in very lightly. The predominant sizes we are seeing right now are 60ct, followed by 48ct.
ON WATCH
Volumes are slowly building out of CMEX, although supplies are expected to remain light through mid-October. Demand continues to exceed available supply.
The Pacific Northwest season has come to an end. As we transition into the next phase of the season, Peruvian and Mexican imports are expected to make up the majority of available supplies, with prices trending slightly higher.
Improved supplies are expected to begin crossing into the U.S. from Mexico, which should help stabilize the market.
The Salinas and Watsonville areas have approximately two weeks remaining in their season, while Santa Maria production is beginning to ramp up. Additional volume is expected from Oxnard, Baja, and Central Mexico over the next couple of weeks. A two-tiered pricing structure is currently in place, with higher-priced product coming from the southern growing regions. Shippers are just beginning to work through the clean-up process following last week’s high temperatures, and we expect field culling to continue through the end of the week.
ALERT
Broccoli supplies remain tight as fields transition and younger fields face pressure from Diamondback Moth. Look for the market to strengthen heading into next week.
Broccoli supplies remain tight as fields transition and younger fields face pressure from Diamondback Moth. Look for the market to strengthen heading into next week.
ALERT: Cauliflower supplies are expected to remain very tight through the remainder of the season. While some fields have come forward, gaps in production are expected, with some suppliers likely to source externally to fill orders. Diamondback Moth pressure and continued warm weather are further impacting yields, particularly in South County and Santa Maria. Little improvement is expected, keeping the market difficult in the near term.
The main crop has shifted to the Cuyama/Lancaster growing region, which is expected to remain active through the month of October. Availability is strong, with good quality currently being reported. Grimmway has also begun production in its Minnesota growing region, with this program expected to run through the end of November or early December. This is the first year of production out of the Minnesota facility, and at this time, we will only be offering the following SKUs from this location. Pricing will remain consistent with California.
ALERTS on Lemons and Small-Sized Navels
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 keeping prices firm in the near term. Offshore product is available on both coasts, while District Two (Ventura County/Oxnard) is in full production and supplying the majority of the fruit.
ALERT: The market is transitioning into new-crop fruit, which is expected to improve quality and gradually increase available volumes. Recent heavy rains have delayed harvests and arrivals, creating some upward pressure on pricing; however, with additional volume expected in the coming weeks, these market impacts should be temporary. Offshore fruit remains available to help supplement supply.
ALERT: The California Valencia crop is heavily skewed toward larger sizes, with production peaking on 56ct and 72ct. Small sizes, particularly 113ct and 138ct, remain extremely limited and are expected to stay tight through the remainder of the season. Flexibility on size and grade will be important, with 88ct and 72ct likely needed as substitutes to maintain order coverage.
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 is steady. Eastern shippers remain in a stable supply position, supported by good quality and strong demand. Western supplies have improved this week, with shippers looking to make deals on supers and plains.
Central Valley volume remains steady, while local programs in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Michigan were limited this week. Overall quality remains good.
We are now shipping from the 2026 California crop, which is expected to remain in production through late September. Quality and availability are currently meeting expectations as the season progresses.
The California grape market remains steady, with most shippers peaking on Large and Extra Large sizes across red and green seedless varieties. Green prices have firmed slightly, while red supplies remain readily available. Overall availability is excellent, with promotable pricing in place. Barring significant weather disruptions, the market is expected to remain steady in the near term.
ALERT: Baja production remain extremely limited over the next 2 to 3 weeks due to continued heat, lower yields, and smaller sizing. Tight supplies have kept the market firm, with September water availability and potential monsoonal weather posing additional risks. Improved supplies are expected as fall production begins in mid-to-late October.
ALERTS
ALERT: Baja production remain extremely limited over the next 2 to 3 weeks due to continued heat, lower yields, and smaller sizing. Tight supplies have kept the market firm, with September water availability and potential monsoonal weather posing additional risks. Improved supplies are expected as fall production begins in mid-to-late October.
ALERT: Romaine markets remain mostly steady, with only light disease pressure currently impacting production. Conditions for green and red leaf lettuce have improved in both the Salinas Valley and Southern California. While supplies remain below budgeted levels, lighter demand is creating better availability and promotional opportunities. Romaine hearts are moderately available, and the market is expected to remain stable in the mid-to-high teens.
Select Spring Mix varieties have experienced some shelf-life issues, though overall quality remains good. We recommend monitoring shelf life closely. Recent heat has also led to inconsistent Spinach sizing as growth rates fluctuate. Quality remains good, and a slight cooldown should help improve size consistency moving forward.
Kale supplies and quality remain good, with steady conditions expected to continue into next week.
Domestic cantaloupes are shipping from Central California as the Westside deal nears its end, with product peaking on 9ct. Cooler weather and lower yields are pushing prices higher. The market will transition to Yuma in October, followed by offshore supplies in late November.
Domestic honeydews are currently shipping from Central California’s Westside region, with steady supplies and demand. Production is peaking on 5ct fruit, offering good sizing, solid quality, and adequate availability.
Watermelon demand and supply are easing as cooler weather approaches across growing regions. Nogales watermelons will begin crossing in limited volumes, with improved availability expected in October.
ALERT: The Summer Onion season is officially complete, with storage onions now driving the market. Supplies remain tight due to strong demand and regional issues, while freight continues to impact pricing. Larger sizes remain challenging as suppliers work to build inventory.
Washington Bartletts are peaking on larger sizes, with 110s and smaller making up a limited portion of the packout. New-crop Anjou are just around the corner, with some shippers starting lightly. Overall, the pear market remains steady, with California Bartletts still available from Central Valley shippers.
Green bell pepper supply remains adequate in the East, with Michigan, New York, and New Jersey expected to remain active through early to mid-October. Eastern quality is currently mixed, although improvement is anticipated as New Jersey production continues. Western supply remains steady, while weather conditions in California could impact quality in the coming weeks.
ALERT: Pineapple supplies are tightening due to the natural flowering season. Contract orders should remain unaffected, but open-market availability will be limited. Quality is expected to remain good. Crownless 8ct and 10ct, along with organic pineapples, remain very tight. Crowned 6ct and 7ct supplies are increasing, while 8ct remains steady.
ALERT: Old-crop Burbank potatoes are officially finished for the season. New-crop sizing remains challenging, particularly on 40/70ct, and is expected to remain an issue throughout the season. Lead time will be important to secure product. Washington potatoes are showing excellent quality, peaking on mid sizes, while larger and smaller counts remain tight. Colored potatoes are available from ID, WA, CA, MN, and WI. California and North Carolina sweet potatoes remain limited, with Mississippi sweets off to a slow start.
East Coast squash supplies remain tight, with light volume from NC/NJ and Georgia slowly building. Florida production is expected in mid-to-late October. West Coast yellow squash is extremely limited, while zucchini remains tight but slightly more available. Quality is mixed, with yellow squash requiring close inspection due to weather-related issues. DelBene Produce is shipping MI grown yellow squash and zucchini.
Peach and nectarine harvests are winding down and are expected to finish within the next 1–2 weeks. White peaches and nectarines are finished. Small black plums remain plentiful and well-priced, while red plums are tighter and primarily larger sizes. The kiwi market remains firm on light supplies, with availability slowly improving as California production begins.
Round tomato supplies are improving slightly in the East, led by Virginia as Tennessee winds down. Mexico remains tight, while California provides steady volume, mostly on larger sizes. Roma supplies remain tight, with Florida not expected until late October/early November. California remains steady with good quality, while Mexico volume is declining. Grape tomato supplies are tightening as Virginia and NJ/PA/NC wind down. Florida is expected mid-October, while Mexico remains light. 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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