News and Stories

Prices are unstable. Growing cycles in Florida and Mexico have been interrupted by cold temperatures and rain, causing erratic supply levels. The forecast for Belle Glade, Homestead, and Loxahatchee, Florida include moderate temperatures and partly cloudy skies with a chance of showers returning early next week. The main Mexican growing regions near Culiacan are heating up to optimum levels for the next 10-14 days, but this may be followed by a cooling trend. Bell pepper and yellow squash prices will remain elevated for several weeks. Cucumber and zucchini prices are at minimum levels.

Bell Peppers

• Prices are high on both coasts; demand is strong and supplies are limited in Florida and Mexico
• Quality is good: minor issues include occasional bruising and scarring
• Red bell pepper prices will ease over the next two weeks; the green bell pepper market will remain high until early March

Cucumbers

• Supplies have increased in Mexico and from offshore (into Florida)
• Most cucumbers are grown in shaded structures and greenhouses (protected from the elements)
• Expect low prices and excellent quality

Squash

• Abundant zucchini supplies from Mexico have lowered prices on both coasts; the yellow squash market will remain elevated for several weeks as this commodity was the most affected by recent cold temperatures
• Florida yellow squash and zucchini supplies remain extremely tight, but better supplies from Mexico have pushed down prices a bit

Other items

• Corn and green bean supplies are extremely limited; recent cold temperatures in Mexico combined with already tight Florida stocks are keeping prices high
• The eggplant market will remain elevated
• Cold weather and rain have affected this crop
• Expect spotting and shortened shelf-life

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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