News and Stories

Avocados

• Supplies are extremely limited
• The California and Peruvian seasons are nearly finished; Mexico’s summer crop is maturing slowly and inconsistently
• No relief is expected until the Mexican fall crop begins in late September
• Extreme market conditions will persist for the next eight weeks; Prices are expected to reach all-time high levels over the next few weeks

Labor Day Schedule

• Markon’s buying office will be closed for Labor Day (Monday, September 4); many processors will adjust loading and production schedules due to the holiday
• Markon’s Gonzales consolidation dock will be open on a limited basis; orders loading on Labor Day (Monday, September 4) will be harvested the previous Friday, September 1 or Saturday, September 2
• Taylor Farms’ loading docks will be open on a limited basis

o    Trucks are urged to call by 8:00 a.m. PDT to schedule appointments

o    Loading is available on Sunday, September 3, on a first come, first served basis

• 4Earth consolidation dock will load trucks on Labor Day (Monday, September 4)

o    The Los Angeles Produce Market will be closed

o    4Earth will not be able to purchase off the market

• Most Northwest shippers’ sales offices and loading docks will be closed Labor Day (Monday, September 4); a few will load by appointment only, but product will not be packed

Lemons

• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Lemons are available from California; MFC and ESS Lemons from Mexico will be available the week of August 14
• The Mexican lemon season is ramping up; packer label supplies are available for loading in California and South Texas
• Chilean supplies are available on the East and West Coasts; imports will be available through December
• Expect ample supplies and steady-to-lower markets for the next several weeks

Limes

• The impact of Hurricane Franklin has limited industry stocks

• Wet conditions will increase stylar-end breakdown and decay
• Winds as strong as 70 mph were recorded as Hurricane Franklin made landfall
  • Large-size fruit (110- to 150-count limes) will be extremely limited due to the impact
  • Expect shortages in one to two months; the storm caused significant bloom drop
• Expect elevated prices and loading delays over the next two weeks as growers assess crop damage

Strawberries

• The strawberry market is weak, but poised to climb following high temperatures in Salinas/Watsonville, California
• Quality problems are increasing

• MFC Strawberries are available; supplies are ample in the Salinas/Watsonville, California region
• Markon recommends ordering for quick turns and loading FOB (avoiding the cross-dock) when possible to help extend shelf-life

Tropical Storm Franklin

• The storm will pass over Veracruz, Mexico; Veracruz is the primary growing region for limes
• Heavy precipitation will limit harvesting hours and production over the next week
• Expect fewer supplies and higher prices over the next two weeks as growers face challenging conditions

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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