News and Stories

Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Lemons are sporadic; packer label is being substituted as needed. Small sizes (140-, 165-, and 200-count fruit) are extremely tight. Markets remain fairly stable, but availability is very limited. California’s production is winding down in the southern coastal regions; the new crop Arizona/California desert season is slowly ramping up. Chilean and Mexican lemons are helping fill the void and will be substituted as needed. Markon recommends ordering for quick turns and ordering a grade higher for best quality.

• MFC and ESS Lemons are sporadic; packer label is being substituted as needed
• Domestic stocks remain tight; small sizes are extremely limited
• Late-season fruit is dominated by large sizes, which is not ideal for foodservice
• Packer label Chilean and Mexican supplies are being used to fill orders, especially 140-, 165-, and 200-count sizes
• More quality issues are present this time of year due to harsher growing conditions and fewer supplies on the market
• Expect more external defects such as inconsistent color, oil spotting, scales, and scarring as well as occasional decay and mold issues
• Click here for photos of external defects: scarring, scale, inconsistent color, and oil spotting
• Fruit will have a shorter shelf-life compared to stocks grown in the winter and spring months
• Markon recommends ordering for quick turns and a grade higher for best quality
• The new crop Arizona/California desert season is off to a slow start, but is ramping up
• Rain showers delayed harvests earlier in the season
• Fruit typically requires extended periods of time for gassing to deepen fruit color
• These extended gassing days and high desert temperatures may decrease quality and shorten shelf-life
• Flexibility on sizes, grades, loading dates, and pick up locations may be necessary through October to ensure order coverage
• Supplies are expected to increase by early November when temperatures cool and California’s San Joaquin Valley season gets underway

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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