UPDATE SUMMARY: WEEK OF APRIL 3, 2017

Broccoli and Cauliflower

Markon First Crop (MFC) Broccoli Crowns are available to load in South Texas, Yuma, Arizona, and Salinas, California
Shipments from Central Mexico are limited due to hail damage; demand is shifting to California
Markon Essentials (ESS) Cauliflower is available for loading in Yuma, Arizona and Salinas, California
Salinas Valley and Santa Maria broccoli and cauliflower shipments remain limited

California Oranges

MFC and ESS Navel Oranges are available
- Supplies are dominated by large sizes (88- and 72- count fruit)
- Smaller sizes (113- and higher counts) are tightening
The California Valencia season has started in a limited way; Markon will begin transitioning to new crop Valencias in late April
2017 Valencia crop estimates are down considerably compared to last year due to decreased acreage and fewer pieces of fruit per tree, following last year’s bumper crop
Prices are expected to rise through the end of the Navel season (June)

Celery

MFC Celery is available for loading in Yuma, Arizona as well as Oxnard and Salinas, California
Demand has shifted to Oxnard as the Arizona/California desert and Mexican seasons wrap up
The Florida season will wind down by late April; Georgia shipments will begin the week of May 1
Quality issues include bottom rot, decay, and growth cracking

Lemons

MFC and ESS Lemons are sporadic, especially for smaller sizes; packer label is being substituted as needed
Recent rain in California’s primary growing regions has increased growth and fruit size, limiting small lemons; overall quality is good
Demand exceeds supplies of 140-count and smaller sizes (all grades); 95-count and larger lemons are ample
Expect prices to continue climbing through summer; offshore and Mexican supplies will hit the U.S. market in August

Lettuces and Leafy Greens

MFC Premium Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces are sporadic; Markon Best Available is being substituted due to low weights and quality issues
Supplies remain extremely limited due to erratic weather conditions over the past several months
Prices continue to escalate; value-added triggers will be met this week
The industry does not anticipate any price relief until the week of April 24 (when Salinas Valley stocks become more abundant)

Mother’s Day Strawberries

Markon will be offering MFC Strawberries, as well as packer label and long stem strawberries, for Mother’s Day
Fixed promotional pricing will be available for orders loading from May 1 through May 13, 2017
MFC Strawberries will be available in 2/4- and 8/1-pound packs loading in Oxnard, Santa Maria, and Salinas/Watsonville
Mother Nature willing, supplies are expected to be plentiful; quality will be excellent

Value-Added Salads

A recent sustained heat wave in the Arizona/California desert growing region is causing heat-induced defects in lettuce and tender leaf items
Concerns being reported include bruising, core material, fringe burn on outer leaves, internal burn, rib blight, thick ribs, and wind damage
Shelf-life potential may be reduced; some tender leaf items may exhibit yellowing
Ordering for quick turns is recommended; maintaining the cold chain throughout distribution is critical to maximizing quality and shelf-life

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

News and Stories