News and Stories

Prices are rising on both coasts. Recent rain in Florida and Mexico is decreasing supplies and causing inconsistent quality, especially in cucumbers and squash. Expect high prices for several weeks.

Green Bell Peppers

• Fewer supplies are on the market, especially large sizes
• Expect high prices for about two weeks or until Northern Mexico (Sonora) starts spring crops
• Recent storms on both coasts resulted in wet stems, bruising, decay, and scarring
• Growers are culling product; quality will continue to improve as supplies increase
• Florida will harvest in spring fields by early April, but initial yields may be limited due to bloom drop from cold temperatures in mid-February
• Production will transition north from Florida to Georgia in May; West Coast harvesting will start in Coachella, California in early April

Red and Yellow Bell Peppers

• Mexican crops are past their seasonal peak; production is on the decline
• Rains have caused quality issues
• Expect prices to rise through April and May until Baja, Mexico and Coachella, California production gets started
• Harvesting in the main area of Culiacan, Mexico will continue through May; Coachella fields will start production in mid-May

Cucumbers

• Harvesting continues in Culiacan, Mexico; production in northern regions will start in two weeks
• Florida has very little domestic production; most supplies are being shipped in from Honduras
• Stocks from mainland Mexico will be on the market through mid-May; the season in Baja, Mexico will start in early April
• Florida growers will transition to Georgia in mid-May

Squash

• Recent weather is causing inconsistent supplies and high prices
• Scarring is a problem in domestic supplies, especially from Florida
• Domestic West Coast stocks will be harvested in May; East Coast growers will transition north to Georgia in mid-May

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

©2015 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.