News and Stories

Strawberry supplies remain extremely limited in California. Harvesting crews continue to cull rain-damaged fruit after last week’s rain in the Oxnard and Santa Maria, California growing regions. Total yields are down approximately 45% more than expected. The seasons in Florida and Mexico are winding down, pushing strong demand to California. Expect tight supplies through the weekend. The warm temperatures that are forecast through the weekend will promoting maturity. Volume will increase into next week.

Oxnard

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are sporadic; Markon Best Available (MBA) and packer label are being substituted due to rain in California 
• Bruising, decay, water damage, wind scarring, and white shoulders are persistent problems; growers are sending fruit to freezers and processing plants due to heavy rain damage
• Shelf-life is much shorter than normal in all regions
• Supplies are expected to increase by next week

Santa Maria

• MFC Strawberries are sporadic; packer label is being substituted due to rain
• Growers have cancelled harvests for the week; crews are stripping plants and sending damaged fruit to processors
• Supplies are expected to increase by the middle of next week

Watsonville

• Harvesting has begun in a very limited way
• Rain has also impacted production in this growing region
• Stocks are expected to ramp up by mid-April

Mexico (into South Texas) and Florida

• The seasons in Florida and Mexico have ended for most suppliers
• Packer label stocks are limited
• Production will continue to decline over the next several weeks

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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