News and Stories

Markon First Crop (MFC) Grapes are not available in 21-pound portion packs; new crop Chilean packer label supplies are being substituted. This year’s Chilean season began one to two weeks later than expected. The delayed start to the harvesting season and delayed vessel arrivals tightened supplies during the last several weeks. Recent rain in the San Felipe growing region of Chile, has impacted the quality of remaining fruit from this area. Overall yields have been reduced by 25-50%. The market has begun to ease due to more plentiful stocks, but prices could potentially rebound by the week of February 15 through mid-March; supplies are expected to tighten again due to Chile’s cold weather and rain in late January.

Lunch Bunch Grapes

• MFC Grapes are not available in 21-pound portion packs; Chilean packer label is being substituted
• New crop MFC Grapes in 21-pound portion packs are expected to start shipping the week of February 15
• Quality is good and flavor is sweet; sugar levels range from 18 to 20 Brix
• Plentiful supplies are forecast through late May
• Prices are stable but will level off by late February
• New crop Mexican portion packs will hit the market in late May/early June
  

Green Seedless Grapes

• New crop Chilean green seedless stocks are adequate
• The Sugraone variety was heavily impacted by recent rains in Chile
• The Thompson variety will be harvested on schedule
• Berry size is medium to large; shape is round
• Flavor is improving; sugar levels range from 17 to 18 Brix
• Prices are slightly lower going into next week, but could rebound due to rain in Chile
  

Red Seedless Grapes

• Chilean red seedless Flame stocks are sufficient; prices are easing
• Berry size is medium to medium-large; shape is round
• Flavor is sweet; sugar levels range from 18 to 20 Brix
• Recent rain has reduced remaining Chilean supplies of red seedless Flame grapes
• The Crimson variety is approximately 10 to 14 days behind the harvesting schedule
• Higher prices and tighter Chilean supplies are forecast from mid-February to mid-March
• Stocks will increase from mid-March to April, pending any further weather-related issues
  

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

©2016 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.