News and Stories

Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are not available; packer label and Markon Best Available (MBA) clamshells are being substituted as needed.

Overall supplies are increasing in Florida and Mexico (into South Texas), but West Coast volume remains very low. Fall crop harvesting in Santa Maria, California will end over the next few weeks. Oxnard, California’s spring crop is slowly ramping up, but is not expected to reach adequate levels until January. Markon recommends moving as many orders to Florida and Mexico for best coverage through December and early January.

Santa Maria, California

• A limited supply of MBA Strawberries are available; packer label is being substituted as needed
• The Santa Maria fall crop is quickly winding down
• Cold temperatures, light frost, and rain have decreased quality and shortened shelf-life
• Size is dominated by small and medium fruit
• Counts average 26 to 29 berries per one-pound clamshell
• Quality issues include decay, water damage, and white shoulders
• Up to 0.20” of rain is forecast for this evening, Thursday, December 8 through Friday, December 9
• More rain is forecast for next Thursday, December 15, which could bring the season to an end
• Despite tight supplies, demand is weak and prices are easing to keep fruit moving

Oxnard, California

• New crop supplies are slowly ramping up; availability is extremely limited
• Yields are very low due to cold temperatures and short days; growers are not harvesting every day
• Favorable weather has improved quality and texture
• Size ranges from medium to medium-plus
• Counts average 18 to 24 berries per one-pound clamshell
• Quality is much stronger than in Santa Maria with only occasional wind damage and bronzing being reported
• The market is slightly lower than last week, but higher than those in other regions
• A limited supply of new crop MFC Strawberries is expected to be available by late December/early January

Mexico

• Mexico is the primary growing region; supplies are adequate
• Favorable weather has led to an increase in overall supply and improved quality
• Size is dominated by medium fruit
• Counts average 25 to 28 berries per one-pound clamshell
• Texture is fairly-firm to firm with occasional bruising and some white shoulders being reported
• Prices are easing as production increases and demand weakens
• Markon recommends moving orders to South Texas for best coverage during the winter months
• A limited supply of MBA Strawberries (two/four-pound packs loading in South Texas) are available; packer label is being substituted as needed

Florida

• Harvesting is ramping up; supplies are increasing quickly due to recent warm temperatures
• Availability is still fairly limited, but expected to reach promotable levels by January (pending rain)
• Quality is very good with few issues being reported at the start of the season
• Size is dominated by medium-plus fruit; counts are averaging 15 to 18 berries per one-pound clamshell
• The market is easing; prices are comparable to those in Mexico

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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