News and Stories

Orange and lemons prices are climbing; supplies of small-size fruit for the foodservice sector are extremely tight. Lemon volume is expected to increase in early February; however, orange supplies will remain limited for the rest of the Navel season.

Lemons

• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Lemons are available
• California is the primary growing region; the Mexican and offshore seasons have ended
  • Supplies out of the California/Arizona desert region were lower than normal this year
  • California’s San Joaquin Valley is slowly ramping up; supplies are limited
  • The Southern California coastal region will not begin producing significant volume until February
• 165-count and smaller sizes are extremely tight (all grades)
• Markets are higher with no reductions expected until February

Oranges

• MFC and ESS Oranges are available
• The 2017/2018 California Navel season is one of the smallest crops of the past eight years
• Expect shortages of small sizes over the next three to five months
  • As the end of December approaches, size structure is dominated by 72-count and larger fruit; very few 113-count and smaller sizes are available
  • The crop is favoring Fancy grade oranges, with very few Choice grade fruit on the market (85% Fancy, 15% Choice)
  • Overall quality is very good
• Small sizes will tighten even further in early January when schools go back into session
• Prices are currently higher than normal and expected to continue climbing over the next few months
• Cara Cara oranges from California and juicing oranges from Florida, Mexico, and Texas, will need to be supplemented to fill orders

Please contact your customer service representative for more information.

©2017 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.