News and Stories

UPDATE: FREEZING TEMPERATURES IN ARIZONA AND CALIFORNIA
 
December 24, 2014
 
Freezing temperatures and strong gusty winds are expected in the Arizona and California growing regions (the Imperial and San Joaquin Valleys) over the next several weeks. These severe winter conditions will tighten supplies; markets will rise and quality issues will develop in iceberg, leaf lettuce, tender greens, and other crops.

•    Multiple freeze events are expected starting December 24 and continuing through January 6
•    Growers are ahead of their harvesting schedules by two weeks or more which will eventually result in the shortage of many commodity items
•    The major crops affected include
      o    Broccoli
      o    Cauliflower
      o    Green Leaf
      o    Iceberg
      o    Romaine
      o    Tender Leaf items (Arugula, Spinach, and Spring Mix)
•    Epidermal blistering followed by peeling will occur in lettuce and leaf items approximately five to seven days after a freeze
     occurs; heavy winds will cause fringe burn, dehydration, and yellowing on leaf tips
•    Freezing temperatures will cause internal damage to the citrus; supplies will tighten
•    As the picture below illustrates, the 10-day outlook after Christmas calls for warmer weather on the East Coast and
     colder/freezing temperatures on the West Coast, shifting demand to the West Coast and tightening supplies in the
     Arizona/California growing region
•    Rising prices, limited supplies, diminished quality are expected over the next several weeks

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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