News and Stories

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

Significant rainfall is forecast for the Oxnard and Santa Maria, California growing regions Thursday, December 15 through Friday, December 16. Up to an inch of rain is expected to end the Santa Maria fall season, keeping West Coast supplies extremely limited into January. Markon recommends moving orders to Florida and Mexico for best coverage during this time.

Santa Maria, California

• MFC and MBA Strawberries are not available; packer label is being substituted as needed
• Up to an inch of rain is expected to bring the fall season to an end this week
• New crop spring supplies will not be harvested until late January/early February
• Quality is poor as production winds down for the season; shelf-life is much shorter than normal
• Prices are easing; demand is shifting to Florida and Mexico

Oxnard, California

• New crop supplies remain limited; plants are young and only producing a few berries per week
• Up to an inch of rain is forecast for Thursday, December 15 through Friday, December 16
• Overall supplies are not expected to be significantly impacted from the rain since plants are young and will be able to recover quickly
• Cool temperatures following the storm will keep yields low and stocks tight into January
• Quality is very good with few issues being reported
• Overall demand exceeds supply; new crop fruit is commanding higher prices compared to other growing regions
• A limited supply of new crop MFC Strawberries is expected to be available by late December/early January

Mexico (loading in South Texas)

• MBA Strawberries are available in two/four-pound clamshells; packer label supplies in eight/one-pound clamshells are being substituted as needed
• Production continues to increase out of Mexico; supplies are adequate
• Overall quality is good: issues like bruising, occasional water damage, and white shoulders are concerns
• The market is lower; prices have eased because Florida harvests are increasing competition
• Markon recommends moving orders to South Texas for best coverage

Florida

• Production continues to ramp up due to warm temperatures; overall stocks are sufficient
• Some lots are showing soft texture with bruising due to the heat, but overall quality is good for the start of the season
• Counts are averaging 16 to 20 berries per 1-pound clamshell for some of the larger varieties that are currently being shipped
• Cooler temperatures are forecast for the rest of the week; this will improve size and texture
• Prices are inching down; prices are comparable to those in Mexico

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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