News and Stories

Bell Peppers
Green Bells

• Mexican stocks are ample
• Florida is seeing lower volume this week due to rain; muddy fields are delaying harvests
• California yields are increasing and set to replace the bulk of West Coast supplies within two weeks; medium sizes are scarce
• Expect lower markets for this week

Red Bells

• Mexican production has dropped slightly as many growers harvested red pepper crops for the last two weeks and sold them on the high-priced green bell market
• Canadian greenhouse growers are expecting lighter yields over next two weeks, further increasing demand in Mexico
• Prices are high
• Quality is good

Broccoli

• Expect low prices and plentiful stocks for the next 10 to 14 days
• Mexican-grown broccoli (crossing into South Texas) has transitioned into the Northern Guanajuato region
• Overall quality is very good: hollow core is a minor issue that is common at this time of year due to warm spring weather
• Demand is moderate; prices are expected to remain weak

California Strawberries
Oxnard/Santa Maria, California

• Up to .25” of rain is forecast for this Sunday, April 25 and Monday, April 26 along with lower temperatures; these factors could potentially affect Monday’s harvest
• Quality is good, but the ripening process is slow

Salinas/Watsonville

• Volume is low as the season is just starting to come into play
• Supplies are expected to ramp up in late May, barring any unusual weather events

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

• Green leaf and romaine prices will remain steady through the end of April; demand is moderate
• Iceberg markets are active this week but expected to stabilize next week as supplies increase in Salinas and Santa Maria, California; demand continues to strengthen weekly
• Quality is very good: minor internal burn, sunscald, and wind damage are present in some lots
• Iceberg weights remain inconsistent but have increased on average

Limes

• Mexican shipments (crossing through South Texas) are below normal
  • Wet weather has curtailed harvesting as this week gets started
  • Growers are also holding back additional limes to keep prices elevated through Cinco de Mayo
• 110- and 150-count sizes are scarce; few suppliers are quoting prices
• Prices are slightly higher across the board
• Expect elevated markets through May

Mixed Berries
Blueberries

• Prices will remain elevated until production in Georgia, Southern California, and Florida ramps up in early May  
• The Chilean season is finished
• Harvesting is past its peak in Central Mexico; stocks continue to diminish
• New crop harvesting will begin in Georgia and Southern California by the end of this month
• Florida is getting started in a limited way; production was delayed due to unfavorable weather

Raspberries

• Pricing will remain active due to tight supplies and reduced harvesting
• Cool weather hindered harvesting and tightened supplies in Central Mexico, Baja, and Oxnard; stocks were expected to increase, but plants are producing fewer berries due to reduced maturity  
• Supplies will remain tight through late May, at which point crops are expected to ramp up in Central Mexico, Baja, and Northern California

Blackberries

• Supplies are slowly increasing as the industry enters peak season; markets will gradually decline over the next 7 to 10 days
• Central Mexico is the primary growing region; plants are producing as planned

Idaho Potatoes

• Expect Norkotah stocks to be depleted by mid-May
• 40- to 70-count potatoes will remain tight through the rest of the 2020/2021 season
• Burbanks are typically smaller than Norkotahs, with crops dominated by 80- and 90-count sizes
• A seven-day lead time is recommended, especially for orders consisting of large sizes

Onions
Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

• White onions are nearly depleted; stocks will be extremely sporadic as the season concludes
• Expect diminishing quality in storage shipments as the season begins to wrap up

California

• California fresh-run onions will have feathery skins and light color/exterior compared to Northwest storage onions
• Markon First Crop Onions will start shipping next week  

Texas

• Supplies are expected to be available through early May
• Texas onions have also feathery skins and light color/exterior skins

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.
 
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