News and Stories

Bell Peppers

• Green bell prices are much lower; supplies are abundant
  • Stocks are plentiful in all growing regions, including California, Canada, Michigan, and Ohio
  • Low prices are expected for the next two to three weeks
• Red bell markets are fairly steady; supplies will tighten this week as harvesting transitions to new growing regions
  • California production will transition to northern and coastal growing regions over the next two weeks
  • East Coast and Mexican harvesting is below normal levels; the West Coast is the primary growing region at this time of year
  • Prices expected to climb heading into next week

Cantaloupe and Honeydew

• The Westside of California’s San Joaquin Valley is the primary growing region at this time; harvesting is at its peak
  • Quality ranges from very good to excellent
  • Sugar levels vary from 12 to 13 Brix for cantaloupe and 11 to 13 Brix for honeydew
• Honeydew markets remain low, while cantaloupe prices will continue easing this week
• Expect ample stocks and weak prices through August

Citrus
Imported Oranges

• Fruit is currently arriving from Australia, Chile, and South Africa
  • Australian and Chilean fruit is being shipped to both coasts, while South African supplies are only available on the East Coast
  • 88-count and larger pack sizes dominate availability
  • Quality is very good: fancy grade fruit is most plentiful
  • Markets for imported fruit are $1.00-$2.00 higher per case delivered into Indianapolis and Texas from ports in California and Pennsylvania; expect roughly .02 cent higher cost per piece due to less fruit per carton 
• Mexican Valencia oranges will be on the market in November
• Domestic California Navel oranges are forecast to become available in mid- to late October

Imported Lemons

• Supplies are arriving from Argentina and Chile
  • Argentine fruit is available on the East Coast, while Chilean stocks are arriving on both coasts
  • Quality is very good: fancy grade fruit is most abundant
  • Markets for imported fruit are $2.00-$3.00 per case higher delivered into Indianapolis and Texas out of California and Pennsylvania
• Limited quantities of Mexican lemons are crossing into South Texas
  • The season is just ramping up
  • 140- and 165-count fruit will dominate availability
  • Pricing is expected to be $2.00-$3.00 lower when loading in South Texas rather than California

Onions

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Onions from New Mexico will remain available through the end of this week 
• California-grown MFC Onions have been depleted
• Colorado stocks will start shipping next week
• Onions out of the Northwest will have a rounder, more globe-like shape than stocks shipped during the spring/summer months; these early season stocks will still exhibit thin, light-colored skins until shipped out of storage

Strawberries

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Warm weather is expected to affect quality and decrease fruit size
• Expect bleeding, bruising, over-ripeness, pin rot, small size, softness, and reduced shelf-life over the next two weeks
• The Santa Maria growing region has started limited production; stock will ramp up in September

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

©2020 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.