News and Stories

Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Best Available (MBA) Strawberries are currently not available; packer label 8/1-pound clamshells are temporarily being substituted due to recent rains. 

Harvesting has been delayed today in Santa Maria, California due to poor field conditions after approximately 0.50” to 0.75” of rain was received for the second consecutive weekend on Saturday and Sunday, November 26 and 27. Limited production is now underway, but harvesting crews will mostly be focused on stripping damaged fruit from the plants for the next few days. For at least the next 8 to 10 days, expect West Coast strawberry supplies to continue exhibiting varying levels of the following quality issues:

• Bruising/Bleeding
• Decay
• Shortened Shelf-life
• Soft Texture
• Water Damage

The forecast is not calling for any more rain this week in Santa Maria, CA but much colder temperatures will keep yields low and berry size smaller than average as a result of the upcoming cold snap. Below is an update on the other primary fall/winter growing regions.

Oxnard, California

• The region received approximately 0.50” of rain Saturday and Sunday, November 26 and 27 for the second consecutive weekend
• Harvesting has been delayed this morning, but limited production is underway
• Expect tight supplies as growers clean rain-damaged fruit this week
• Rain-related quality issues such as bleeding, bruising, decay, shortened shelf-life, and water damage are concerns
• New crop winter/early spring harvesting of MFC Strawberries will begin in early January

Mexico

• Availability is adequate; supplies are increasing
• Quality is good, but sizing is smaller than average
• Many grower-shippers are only offering the 8/1-pound pack size in full pallet increments (108 cases per pallet)
• Markon recommends moving orders to South Texas for best coverage due to the rain in California
• A limited supply of MBA Strawberries (loading in South Texas) is expected to be available sometime in early December 

Florida

• Harvesting is ramping up; supplies are increasing week over week
• Availability remains fairly limited; plants are still young and yielding only a few pallets of fruit per week
• Markets are comparable to California and Mexico
• Adequate volume is expected by mid-December

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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