News and Stories

Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are limited; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed. Warm temperatures throughout the Salinas/Watsonville growing region over the past two weeks have led to industry-wide quality concerns. Overall soft texture is causing fruit to deteriorate faster-than-normal during transit. Many suppliers are moving lots to processors/freezers until these issues are resolved. Markon recommends loading berries FOB to minimize transit time. Maintaining 32-34 degrees throughout distribution and ordering for quick turns will be critical steps in maximizing quality and shelf-life.

• MFC Strawberries are limited; MBA is being substituted
• Salinas/Watsonville is the primary growing region
• Fresh supplies are decreasing; many shippers are sending lots to processors/freezers
• Harvesting crews are culling soft/overripe fruit
• Size is medium to medium-plus, but diminishing
• Prices are steady, but expected to increase soon due to tightening fresh supplies
• The Santa Maria season is winding down; new crop harvesting will begin in August/September
• Many lots are going to processors/freezers
• Most fresh supplies are staying on the West Coast
• Size is small to medium
• Prices are steady
• Markon inspectors are reporting an increase in:
• Bleeding and bruising
• Dark color
• Mildew
• Shortened shelf-life
• Soft texture/fragile skins

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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