News and Stories

Markon First Crop Strawberries are not available; Markon Best Available and packer label are being substituted as needed. The market is higher following unfavorable weather conditions this past weekend; prices are higher than last week. Overall supplies are extremely limited with the Salinas/Watsonville season potentially finished and yields down 40-50% in Santa Maria, demand currently exceeds supply.

• Prices are climbing; stocks are extremely limited
• Heavier-than-expected rain in Santa Maria coupled with this week’s high temperatures have led to a significant decrease in yields throughout the industry
• Growers in Santa Maria continue to cull heat- and rain-damaged fruit; click here to view a photo of rain-damaged strawberries; pin rot and decay are also major concerns
• To view a photo of pin rot, click here; for uneven colored strawberries, click here
• Many harvesting crews are packing for freezer/processing orders until plants are cleaned of damaged fruit
• Markon recommends ordering for quick turns until quality improves
• Another chance of rain is forecast for Santa Maria early next week; this could further impact supply levels and quality
• Yields should increase and quality will improve by early next week if the rain holds out, but shorter days and cooler nights will keep volume low for the next few weeks
• The market will continue inching up until production increases in Oxnard and Mexico in a few weeks

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

©2016 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.

LIVE FROM THE FIELDS: SALINAS/WATSONVILLE STRAWBERRIES

October 18, 2016 

Please click here  to view a Markon Live from the Fields video about rain-related issues being found in strawberries from the Salinas/Watsonville, California growing region.

• The Salinas/Watsonville growing region received between .35” and 1.5” of rainfall over the weekend
• Most ripe fruit was affected by significant water damage; decay is also developing in many berries
• Growers are still assessing whether to continue picking for the fresh market or end their season at this time
• With another chance of showers possible next week, the likelihood of extending the fresh market season any longer is very low
• Markon inspectors are now monitoring quality in Santa Maria, California where fall berry production is ramping up
• A heat spike is expected in Santa Maria by mid-week and has the potential to cause more quality and supply concerns

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

Ismael Rios
Quality Assurance
markon.com

©2016 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.