For the week ending September 6, 2025
The apple market continues its slow and steady shift from old crop to new. Granny Smith and Fuji are drawing down the last remaining storage rooms, extracting every possible carton—but supply still falls short. Gala movement is expected to accelerate this week and into the next. Honeycrisp are also being packed in solid volumes, though the market will need time to recalibrate before demand shows meaningful improvement. Come September, fresh arrivals of Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Fuji, and Ambrosia are on the horizon.
Sizing remains limited on both coasts, especially for Large, Extra Large, and Jumbo. Smaller sizes and Standards will be more available. The market is expected to stay firm with supplies still tight. In Peru, cooler weather is slowing growth, while Mexico is transitioning from Central Mexico to Baja and Guanajuato, dealing with heat and rain. Asparagus supplies will remain tight through August, with better availability across all sizes expected by mid-September.
Peak sizes are 48ct and 60ct, with Flora Loca as the primary crop now that the old crop is essentially finished. Dry matter is in the mid-20s, compared to low 30s in the previous crop, meaning the new fruit will take longer to ripen. The fruit is very clean, with minimal #2 grade—typical for this time of year. The California season continues to slow and is expected to wrap up in a few weeks. Offshore fruit is arriving on both coasts, but that volume should begin to taper off next month.
Supplies remain limited for some shippers, while others are seeing steady volumes out of Mexico and California. Transfers from Oregon are also helping to supplement availability and fill orders.
The Pacific Northwest is winding down, and Michigan is nearly finished, pushing the market upward. Peruvian imports are arriving in better volume at the ports, providing some relief. Central Mexico is just beginning production, but it will take a few weeks before volume picks up.
We’re seeing good supplies on this item coming in from Mexico, with steady volume and consistent quality.
The industry is rebounding from last week’s heat spell. Crews moved slowly through the fields on Monday and Tuesday, focusing on cleanup as well as harvest. A significant amount of product has been diverted to processors due to weak quality. However, quality is expected to improve heading into the weekend and continuing into next week.
Broccoli supplies are tighter this week, and the market is trending upward. Insect pressure is a growing concern, particularly in the warmer regions of Santa Maria and South Monterey County. Expect the market to continue gradually rising as we move into next week.
Brussels sprout supplies remain on the lighter side but are showing signs of improvement. Overall quality is good, with only occasional insect damage. Look for the market to gradually ease as we head into next week.
Cauliflower supplies and quality remain strong, with only minimal worm pressure noted. Expect the market to stay mostly steady heading into next week.
Harvest has shifted to the Cuyama/Lancaster area, which will continue through November. Conditions have improved this week, with better sizing coming out of the current fields. No sizing issues are expected in the near term, but updates will be provided if anything changes.
Star Rubies are available and peaking at 48ct, shipping out of both Riverside and the San Joaquin Valley.
Markets remain strong across all sizes, with 165ct and smaller very limited. District 2 (Ventura/Oxnard) is the sole growing region. Choice grade dominates, with limited Fancy due to coastal growing conditions. Quality is fair with typical seasonal issues. Imports are light, and Mexico is starting slowly with lower expected volume, keeping markets elevated.
The market is elevated with rising costs and expected volatility through September as new crop fruit arrives. Quality is fair, with more defects like oil spots, styler-end rot, and skin breakdown. Partners are double grading fruit, packing only the best from Mexico. The new crop should start in a couple of weeks, bringing better quality.
Valencias are peaking on 88ct, with very limited 113ct and 138ct due to strong school demand. Subbing up in size may be needed. Markets on 88ct are rising as smaller sizes tighten. Gas times are around 3 days to improve color, with some regreening from warm weather. Quality is fair, mostly Choice grade, and Brix is around 13. Domestic Navel season is expected to start at the end of October.
The marketplace remains largely unchanged for this commodity. All sizes are available both north and south, and shippers are flexible on volume orders, so promote as much as possible. Overall quality continues to be above average, with only minimal reports of seeders and decay. Demand remains moderate to light at best.
Eastern U.S. (Michigan, NY) and Canada remain steady leaders. Mexican cucumbers are strong, supporting the market. Good quality and steady supply are expected into the fall. MI Cucumbers and pickling cucumbers are currently in stock and shipping.
Supplies and quality are good from both the Fresno area and eastern regions. MI Eggplant is currently in stock and shipping.
The new California garlic crop is progressing well with good quality, while Mexican supplies continue to complement the harvest.
Despite shifting from early varieties to more modern, vigorous types, the grape market has been stagnant. On August 26, a strong thunderstorm hit the northern half of the Central Valley grape district, bringing about an hour of rain. While not ideal, it’s too soon to tell what impact, if any, this will have on the market.
Green onions continue to have very good supplies and quality, with more of the same expected into next week.
NOW STOCKING & SHIPPING MICHIGAN GROWN DILL & CILANTRO
At the start of the week, availability varies among shippers, creating a market gap of six to eight dollars. Weights range from 35 to 42 pounds depending on the shipper. Some arrivals have shown misshapen heads and outer leaf discoloration. Second-tier price increases will continue on all value-added lettuce items through this week at minimum. Demand has picked up with schools reopening.
The market is firm on green and red leaf as well as romaine, with romaine hearts active across all pack sizes. Shippers are facing lower yields in the field, though demand hasn’t matched that of lettuce. Fringe and tip burn have been reported by multiple shippers, caused by warm temperatures in both northern and southern growing regions. Weights and leaf length have been moderate to above average from several suppliers.
MI grown Red Leaf & Green Leaf in stock & shipping. MI grown Romaine Hearts available in limited supplies.
All tender leaf items are showing good quality and steady supply, with more of the same expected into next week. Cilantro, arugula, and spinach – MI grown cilantro in stock and shipping.
Kale supplies remain mostly steady despite some insect intrusion. Expect the market to stay stable heading into next week
The domestic cantaloupe market is heating up as Westside fields shift sizing. The second cut and rising demand are driving the market higher. Fields are still mostly producing 9s, but better availability of 12s and 15s is emerging. Brix levels range from 13 to 16, with volume deals available.
The domestic honeydew market is heating up as Westside fields adjust sizing. The second cut and stronger demand are pushing the market higher. Fields are still mainly producing 5s, but better availability of 6s and 8s is emerging. Brix levels range from 13 to 16, with volume deals available.
Domestic watermelons are available from both the West and East coasts. Prices are beginning to stabilize as growers ramp up new crop supplies. We are currently stocking and shipping Michigan watermelons.
Onions are currently available from Washington and Idaho, as the California and New Mexico seasons have ended. Demand remains strong, while U.S. and Mexican onions are seeing lower yields. Red and white onion prices have stabilized since last week. Idaho onions are available this week, with volume expected to increase, and Washington continues to have good supply.
Washington Bartlett pears are in full swing, while California Bartletts remain aggressively priced and will continue to influence the market over the next few weeks. Red pears are being packed in both states, and California Bosc pears are coming in heavy volume.
The green bell pepper market is steady, with good availability and strong quality across the board. Colored bell peppers remain very tight, with high prices reflecting limited supply. Western Canada is holding steady, while supplies in Eastern Canada are tight. Central Mexico is providing adequate volume. Expect elevated markets on colored bells to continue into September. MI grown green peppers currently in stock and shipping.
Thunderstorms continue to impact growing regions in Costa Rica and are expected throughout August 2025. Pineapple supplies remain very limited and may stay tight for the rest of the year. Crownless pineapples are in high demand. Expect substitutions, cancellations, and order changes.
The Idaho market is tight on 40-70 count potatoes through August. Burbanks are nearly done, with Norkoths now the main variety. New fields are mostly producing #1s, while #2s remain tight. Washington’s new crop potatoes have good quality. Color potatoes come from CA, ID, WA, and WI. New crop sweet potatoes are just starting in North Carolina in small volumes, with some curing issues that should clear up in a few weeks.
Good supplies are available across all regions. Local areas will continue until the first frost or until quality declines below shipping standards. Georgia has started light as crops transition to southern regions. Out west, California and Baja are providing good supply and quality. Expect squash to begin crossing in Nogales by late September. MI grown yellow squash and MI grown zucchini is now in stock and shipping. MI grown acorn, butternut, kabocha, and spaghetti are in stock and shipping.
Peaches, plums, and nectarines are in moderate supply with a stable market. Imported kiwi remains steady but priced higher, likely holding until California’s season begins in October. Asian pears from the Kingsburg area will start soon and run through at least Thanksgiving.
Round tomatoes have light to moderate supplies in the East, while steady California and Mexican volumes are expected to strengthen in the coming weeks. Roma tomatoes are well supplied coast to coast with steady quality, supported by solid volumes from Baja and Central/Eastern Mexico. Grape tomato supplies are improving in the East, with good overall quality and stronger volumes anticipated into early September.
MI grown Grape and Roma tomatoes, 4×5, 5×5, 5×6 now in stock and shipping.
*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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