News and Stories

Melon prices are rising due to seasonal harvesting transitions. California’s San Joaquin Valley season will wrap up by mid-October. The Central Arizona harvest (Aguila and Maricopa) is starting; expect limited supplies next week. The Arizona/California desert season will start by October 15. Supplies will be tight until mid-November, when imported fruit becomes available.

Cantaloupe

• Domestic Markon First Crop (MFC) Cantaloupe is available, but will be sporadic after supplies from California’s San Joaquin Valley are depleted
• The domestic season will continue through early December; late-season melons often exhibit green casts, decreased sugar levels, and shorter-than-normal shelf-life
• Limited supplies of Mexican-grown fruit will be available in November, pending grower assessment of recent storm damage
• Guatemalan melons will be shipped to the East Coast market by mid-November and become available on the West Coast by early December
• Expect prices to remain strong into November

Honeydew

• Domestic MFC Honeydew is available, but will be become sporadic over the coming months
• When San Joaquin Valley supplies are depleted in mid-October, stocks will become available in Central Arizona and the Arizona/California desert region
• The Mexican season is forecast to begin in late October; growers are still assessing recent storm damage, which may push back the start date
• Guatemalan fruit will be available on the East Coast by mid-November and on the West Coast by early December
• Prices are rising and will be elevated for the next month

Watermelon

• Harvesting in the San Joaquin Valley is decreasing
• Prices are high due to limited supplies; small sizes dominate remaining stocks
• Seeded watermelon is in a harvesting gap; seedless varieties will be substituted
• Recent rain damage to fields in Mexico will delay start dates
• Offshore fruit will become available in December
• Expect extremely limited supplies and high prices for the coming months

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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