News and Stories

A very limited supply of Markon Best Available (MBA) Strawberries are available in Santa Maria, California; packer label supplies in one pound clamshells are being substituted due to rain-related quality and supply issues.

Overall supplies remain very limited in California due to recent rains. Approximately 0.50 to 0.75” of rain fell in Santa Maria, California on Sunday, November 20 which was enough to delay harvest and decrease industry supply. While the crop recovers, more rain is in the forecast for this Saturday and Sunday, November 26 and 27, which could once again lead to fewer supplies and limited availability on the West Coast. Expect quality issues to persist with shorter-than-normal shelf life as growers cull rain damaged fruit. Markon recommends loading strawberries out of South Texas and Florida next week if possible.

Santa Maria, California

• A limited supply of MBA Strawberries are available; packer label supplies in one pound clamshells are being substituted as needed
• Approximately .50”-.75” of rain was recorded in the Santa Maria growing region on Sunday, November 20
• Water damage and sporadic decay are present throughout most lots; berry size remains smaller than normal
• Markets are lower due to decreased demand for the holidays
• Approximately 0.25” to 0.75” of rain is forecast for Saturday and Sunday, November 26 and 27; supplies will remain limited (pending rainfall totals)
• Prices are expected to remain steady to slightly lower as supplies out of Mexico and Florida ramp up                                                                                                    
  

Oxnard, California 

• The region received approximately 0.25 to 0.50” of rain this past Sunday, November 20
• Overall supplies remain tight with limited availability; demand exceeds supply on high quality fruit
• Up to 0.25” of rain is forecast for this Saturday, November 26
• The market is steady to slightly lower
• New crop winter/early spring harvesting of Markon Brand Strawberries will begin in early January

Mexico

• Availability is improving; prices are inching down
• Quality is good but sizing remains smaller than normal; occasional decay/mold may be present due to recent rain in Mexico
• Most grower-shippers are only offering the 8/1-pound pack size in full pallet increments (108 cases per pallet)
• If possible, Markon recommends moving orders to South Texas next week for best coverage due to the rain forecast for California
• A limited supply of MBA Strawberries (loading in South Texas) are expected to be available by early-December

Florida

• Harvest is slowly ramping up; shipments are increasing week over week
• Availability remains limited due to plants still being young and only yielding a few pallets a week for the beginning of the season
• Markets are comparable to California and Mexico, and are expected to ease over the next few weeks as supplies ramp up
• Adequate volume is expected by mid-December

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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