News and Stories

Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available; Markon Best Available (MBA) and packer label supplies are being substituted as needed. Supplies remain very tight this week; demand exceeds supply in all areas. Harvest estimates are decreasing due to inconsistent weather patterns; heat, rain, and wind have impacted yields. Cooler temperatures and another chance of rain are forecast for Friday, April 22. Markets continue to rise as overall supplies are expected to remain tight through Mother’s Day (May 8).

Oxnard, California

• MFC Strawberries are not available; MBA and packer label are being substituted as needed
• Quality issues persist as the season winds down
• Overall quality is fair; some bleeding, bruising, decay, and water damage are present
• Some shippers are keeping fruit on the West Coast due to quality concerns
• Sizing is small to medium with a wide range in counts (22-34 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
• Most growers will attempt to make it through Mother’s Day pending quality and weather
• Markets are higher; demand exceeds supply

Santa Maria, California

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Trace amounts of rain are forecast for Friday, April 22 with another chance of rain forecast for Wednesday, April 27
• Yields typically increase week over week this time of year, but inconsistent weather patterns are causing decreased yields
• Overall quality is good
• Sizing is slightly smaller than last week due to warm temps
• Counts average 16-24 berries per 1-pound clamshell
• Minor problems include bruising, creasing, green tip, soft texture, and white shoulder 
• Supplies are expected to remain limited through Mother’s Day
• Markets are higher; demand exceeds supply

Salinas/Watsonville, California

• MFC Strawberries are limited; MBA and packer label are being substituted as needed
• Approximately 0.15” of rain is forecast for Friday, April 22 with another chance of rain forecast for Wednesday, April 27
• The rain, along with inconsistent weather patterns, will keep yields much lower than anticipated for Mother’s Day
• Some weather related issues are still being culled, but overall quality is good
• Sizing is mostly medium-plus to large
• Counts average 14-18 berries per 1-pound clamshell
• Minor problems include bruising, creasing, green tip, soft texture, and white shoulder 
• New crop volume remains low compared to Oxnard and Santa Maria
• Supplies are expected to remain limited through Mother’s Day
• Markets are higher; demand exceeds supply

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

©2016 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.