News and Stories

Seasonal harvesting transitions of bell pepper, cucumber, and squash crops will occur on both coasts over the next two months. Production in Michigan and other regional growing areas will move to Georgia, followed by Florida. The California season will wind down and transition to Mexico for the winter. 

Bell Peppers

• The Michigan summer season is winding down; harvesting has started in Georgia and will continue through November before moving to Florida
• West Coast production will shift from California’s San Joaquin Valley and coastal regions to the Coachella Valley in mid-October; red and yellow bell peppers will follow in November
• Mexican production will begin in mid-December; storm damage to winter plantings in Culiacan, especially from Hurricane Linda in September, will keep production limited
• Green bell pepper prices will be elevated until production increases in new areas
• Red and yellow prices will remain steady for two to three weeks; the market will then start to rise as production will be past its peak in current regions
• Although stocks are expected to meet demand, unpredictable weather patterns can cause volatile prices and limit supplies during the fall months

Cucumbers

• Georgia stocks are becoming more plentiful; the Florida season will start in late October
• Production from mainland Mexico (into Nogales, Arizona and South Texas) has started
• Crops are being accessed for damage after recent storm activity
• Expect limited stocks for several weeks
• Many blooms were lost due to rain and wind
• Baja, Mexico will continue as a main production area through November
• Some cucumbers may exhibit scarring and yellow coloring due to poor weather on both coasts

Squash

• Domestic supplies will be sufficient through October; expect high prices in late October
• Typically supply levels from mainland Mexico would increase over the next few weeks, but damage from Tropical Depression 16-E left many fields under water
• Growers continue to access damage, but the start date for full production will be pushed back several weeks
• Plants need time to recover; loss of blooms will effect supplies for several weeks
• Quality is good, but some stocks will exhibit dimpling and scarring due to winds and rain on both coasts

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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