News and Stories

Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are not available; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted out of Oxnard and Santa Maria, California. Rain will slow strawberry production this week and increase quality and shelf-life concerns. Expect prices to rise and availability to tighten. The seasons in Florida and Mexico have ended. California will be the primary strawberry growing region through summer.

Oxnard

• MFC Strawberries are not available; MBA is being substituted
• Prices are steady to slightly up; supplies are adequate
• Many growers are only packing fruit for processing and the frozen industry
• Fresh packed strawberries are on the decline:
• 2/4-pound packs are not available
• 8/1-pound cartons are being substituted to minimize arrival issues
• Small size, soft texture, and bruising/bleeding are quality issues
• Rainfall amounts are anticipated to be much lower than in Santa Maria and Salinas/Watsonville
• Size is averaging 24 to 28 berries per 1-pound clamshell
• The season is forecast to run through April; it could end sooner, pending weather and quality issues

Santa Maria

• MFC Strawberries are not available; MBA will be substituted following today’s rain
• The market is slightly higher than Oxnard prices; strong demand will keep it climbing
• Supplies are adequate; Santa Maria is shipping more fresh strawberries than Oxnard and Salinas/Watsonville
• Quality is better and size is larger than in Oxnard
• 0.5 to 1 inch of rainfall is anticipated this afternoon
• Many growers will ship 1-pound clamshells to minimize arrival issues following the rain
• Berry counts range from 15 to 20 berries per 1-pound clamshell
• Bruising, soft texture, and water damage could become issues over the next two weeks, pending weather

Salinas/Watsonville

• Packer label strawberries are available
• Prices are slightly higher than those in Santa Maria; demand is strong and supplies are limited
• Harvesting crews are off today and possibly tomorrow due to anticipated rainfall up to 1.5 inches
• The season is still ramping up; full volume is expected to be reached by May
• Current quality is good, but may become compromised following the rain; more rainfall is forecast next week
• Berry counts range from 14 to 18 berries per 1-pound clamshell
• Markon brand strawberries are expected to begin shipping the week of May 4

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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