News and Stories

UPDATE: California Strawberries

December 15, 2015

Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are not available; Markon Best Available in one-pound clamshells and packer label supplies are being substituted. Santa Maria, California received approximately 0.30” of rain this past weekend; Oxnard, California received only trace amounts. The recent rain and cold temperatures in both regions are keeping supplies tight on the West Coast.

  • The Santa Maria growing region received approximately 0.30” of rain between Friday, December 11 and Sunday, December 13
    • Harvesting crews packed orders ahead in anticipation of the rain
    • Field conditions allowed crews to harvest Monday morning and cull rain-damaged fruit
    • Cold weather will keep yields low for the rest of the week; more rain is forecast this Sunday
  • The Oxnard growing region received less than 0.10” of rain this past weekend
    • Quality remains very good; size ranges from medium to medium-plus
    • Only a limited quantity of MBA Strawberries are available for loading in this area
    • Harvesting crews are not packing every day in order to allow fruit to ripen
  • Only one-pound clamshells are available in both regions as growers try to maximize yields and minimize the following arrival issues
    • Bleeding
    • Bruising
    • Light decay
    • Shortened shelf-life
    • Soft texture
  • Stemmed and organic strawberries are available in Oxnard
  • Expect adequate supplies by early January, pending rainfall

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

 

©2015 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.