News and Stories

Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are not available. A very limited supply of Markon Best Available (MBA) Strawberries will be available next week in Oxnard, California and Donna, Texas; packer label supplies (in one-pound clamshells) are being substituted to fill remaining orders. Growers in all regions continue to face weather challenges. Supplies are considerably tighter than normal across the board as demand for Valentine’s Day starts to ramp up. The market is rising; demand exceeds supply in all areas. 

Southern California

• MBA Strawberries are very limited; four-pound clamshells are not available
• Packer label 8/1-pound packs are being substituted; a limited supply of long stem strawberries are available
• El Niño weather patterns are bringing intermittent, almost weekly rain showers that are keeping yields very low compared to last season
• Quality is fairly good, but rain-related quality issues persist
• Bruising, bleeding, occasional decay, scarring, and white shoulder are issues
• Texture is firm
• Markon recommends loading FOB and ordering for quick turns
• Prices are approximately $7.00-8.00 higher than last season when supplies were more readily available
• Supplies will remain extremely limited through Valentine’s Day as more rain is forecast

Mexico (into South Texas)

• A limited supply of MBA Strawberries in four-pound clamshells are available
• Volume is 25% lower than this time last year
• Very strong demand from other areas is keeping the market elevated
• Prices are approximately $10.00 higher than this time last season
• Quality is fairly good; texture is firm
• Long stem strawberries are available
• Quality is good
• Three to four days of lead time is required for all orders
• Prebook now for best availability

Florida

• Warm temperatures at the beginning of the season followed by cooler weather and rain have significantly reduced yields
• Volume is 58% lower than this time last season
• Stocks are not expected to increase until after Valentine’s Day
• Quality is improving and size is increasing with cooler weather, but overall quality remains fair
• Prices are approximately $8.00-9.00 higher compared to last season
• A limited supply of long stem strawberries are available

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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