News and Stories

Rain in the Salinas, Oxnard, and Santa Maria, California growing regions caused many growers to cancel harvests; expect quality issues and reduced availability of leafy green and lettuce items as well as strawberries. Green and red seedless grape supplies are declining, as the Chilean season is winding down; both markets are rising.

California Strawberries

• Rain on Tuesday caused growers to cancel harvesting several days this week in order to strip damaged berries
• Prices are rising; supplies are very tight
• Markon First Crop Strawberries are sporadic; Markon Best Available is being substituted in Oxnard and Santa Maria
• Production should return to normal by Monday

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Prices

• The Arizona/California desert and Huron, California growing seasons are ending
• The Salinas Valley received rain on Tuesday
• Most growers in the Salinas Valley cancelled harvesting, reducing availability
• The combined effects are pushing green leaf, iceberg, and romaine prices into the low to mid-teens
• Quality issues such as bottom rot, increased mildew pressure, premature pinking, and shortened shelf-life may also develop
• Production will remain slow over the next several days while fields dry

Grapes

• Chilean green and red seedless supplies are diminishing; the season is winding down
• Prices are on the rise
• Better quality green seedless storage stocks are commanding higher prices
• Quality is good: straw coloring is a concern
• Markon recommends ordering for quick turns, to avoid high-priced inventory

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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