News and Stories
UPDATE: California Oranges
May 03, 2017
Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Navel Oranges are available; packer label supplies are being substituted as needed. Stocks are dominated by large sizes (56- and 72-count fruit); smaller sizes (88-count and smaller) are extremely tight. MFC Valencia Oranges will begin shipping the week of May 8. Prices will continue to rise.
Navels
- The California Navel season is ending earlier than normal this year
- The season for MFC Navel Oranges will end next week due to quality concerns and shorter shelf-life
- Small fruit (88-, 113-, and 138-count sizes) are extremely tight (all grades); excess rain has caused fruit to grow in size
- Stocks are dominated by 72- and 56-count sizes, making availability of the smaller foodservice sizes limited
- Prices are higher and expected to continue rising
Valencias
- MFC and ESS Valencia Oranges will begin shipping the week of May 8
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The California Valencia crop is smaller than last year; supplies will be limited all summer
- The 2017 Valencia crop is down approximately 2,000 acres; growers are planting newer citrus varieties to meet consumer demands
- Fruit set is down 34% per tree with fewer blooms than last season; last year was considered a high producing year (up 10% from the year prior)
- Adequate supplies of 113- and 138-count are anticipated for the start of the season, but expect very tight supplies of 88-count and smaller sizes by August
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High prices will persist through the summer months
- Availability will be extremely limited in August and September (when schools go back into session)
- Other regions such as Australia, Chile, South Africa, and Uruguay will be utilized when available to fill orders during this time
- Markon will be offering substitutions such as offshore Navels, larger pack sizes, or other items such as apples
Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.
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