News and Stories

Bell Peppers

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available
• High temperatures persist in California’s growing regions
• Production will slow; crews will work fewer hours due to heat
• Heat-related quality issues such as sunburn may be present
• Cool nights in Ohio and Michigan will also slow production; supplies will tighten
• Expect increased demand over the next several weeks as fewer supplies become available

Broccoli and Cauliflower

• Salinas Valley harvesting crews are limited by hazardous working conditions consisting of heavy smoke and ash in the air
• Abnormally hot weather has slowed maturity, creating a supply gap
• Mexican broccoli shipments (into South Texas) are normal for this time of year
• Expect active markets as harvesting continues to be affected by smoke and ash, and as fields recover from the heat-related supply gap

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

• Leafy green and lettuce demand continues to strengthen
• Supplies are tightening in Salinas Valley, California; heat-related defects include internal burn, seeder, sun scalding, and dehydration
• East Coast stocks are limited due to quality issues caused by elevated seasonal temperatures and Tropical Storm Isaias
• Although better weather is forecast for the Salinas Valley this week, record high temperatures, sustained heat, and the River Fire are reducing harvestable hours (to protect harvesting crews)
• Expect active markets over the next two to three weeks

Melons

• MFC Cantaloupe and Honeydew are available
• Production will slow; crews will work fewer hours due to heat
• High temperatures have the potential to cause softness, sunburn, and inconsistent sugar content
• Sugar levels will range from 8-12 Brix, as compared to 14-16 Brix

Potatoes
New Crop Norkotahs and Burbanks

• 40- and 50-count supplies will tighten while the season gets underway
• The No. 2 potato supply will be scarce, as new crop potatoes exhibit very few defects
• Quality is excellent: minor skinning and excess moisture may be observed in fresh-run potatoes
• New crop potatoes have not gone through the sweat process yet
• New crop Burbank production will begin in late September/early October

Storage Crop

• Burbank quality remains fair
• Pressure bruising and hollow heart may be seen on occasion

Strawberries

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Hot weather is expected to affect quality and decrease fruit size
• Quality concerns for the next two weeks include bleeding, bruising, pin rot, small size, softness, and reduced shelf-life
• Santa Maria growers have started production of the fall crop
• Supplies are extremely limited
• Stocks will ramp up by mid-September

Squash
East Coast

• MFC Squash is not available; packer label is being substituted
• Production is wrapping up in Eastern Michigan; the season in Western Michigan will continue for another three to four weeks
• New crop supplies will slowly ramp up over the next several weeks in Georgia, New Jersey, and North Carolina 
• Expect firm prices and tighter stocks through mid-September

West Coast

• MFC Squash is not available; packer label is being substituted
• Supplies are currently meeting demand; however, East Coast orders will shift to the West Coast, increasing prices
• The Mexican season (into Nogales, Arizona) will start in a limited manner by late September

Valencia Oranges

• MFC and Markon Essentials Valencia Oranges are available
• Orders are being filled with domestic Valencias
• Chilean Navels are available, if needed
• Early Texas Navels are expected to be on the market in mid-September
• Mexican Hamlin oranges will become available in late October
• California Navels are forecast to hit the market in mid- to late October

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

©2020 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.