News and Stories

Hot weather in the Salinas and Santa Maria, California growing regions have affected broccoli and cauliflower quality and drastically tightened stocks; prices are escalating. Cilantro supplies remain limited throughout California and Baja, Mexico; elevated prices and strong demand have caused growers to harvest fields earlier than scheduled, straining current supplies and shrinking yields. Raspberry stocks are limited and prices are rising; expect active mixed berry markets over the next two months as crops transition south.

Bell Peppers, Cucumbers, and Squash

• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available
• Green bell pepper prices and supply levels should remain steady for the summer season 
• The red and yellow bell pepper markets are high, but will ease over the next two weeks as volume increases
• MFC and ESS Cucumbers are available
• East Coast production will remain sufficient for the coming months
• West Coast stocks will increase in three to four weeks as growers in Baja, Mexico start harvesting fall crops
• The market will remain strong into mid-September
• MFC Yellow Squash and Zucchini are available
• West Coast quality is excellent, but supplies will be tight until fall plantings are harvested
• Squash will be available to load in Nogales, Arizona (from Mexico) by late September
• Prices are high, but will ease over the next few weeks as production increases

Broccoli and Cauliflower

• Last week’s hot weather resulted in quality issues and low yields, drastically tightening broccoli and cauliflower supplies
• Prices are escalating
• Hot weather is causing quality issues in broccoli supplies such as brown bead, hollow core, knuckly heads, and long branches
• Small size, rice-like texture, knuckly heads, and yellow casts are issues being seen in cauliflower
• Expect limited stocks and high prices for the next several weeks

Cilantro

• Cilantro remains limited throughout California and Baja, Mexico
• Prices are up
• Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Washed & Trimmed Cilantro is sporadic; packer label will be substituted as needed 
• Expect low volume and high prices through the next two weeks

Garlic

• Although new crop domestic garlic is now on the market, stocks of both domestic and imported garlic are expected to remain limited
• High prices persist
• RSS Peeled Garlic orders are being filled with new crop domestic supplies; expect moister product initially, as cloves haven’t had time to dry/firm up

Idaho Potatoes

• Norkotah fresh-run potatoes are now the sole variety on the market
• Availability is currently dominated by large-size potatoes (40- through 70-count stocks); fewer small-size supplies (90- through 100-count potatoes) are available at this time
• MFC Burbank Potatoes will begin shipping in early November (once they complete the sweat process)
• New crop, fresh-run Burbank stocks will be available by mid-September; supplies will increase through October

Mixed Berries

• Blackberry stocks are ample
• Quality is very good
• The crop is winding down and will begin transitioning from California to Mexico through the month of September
• Domestic blueberry supplies are beginning to wind down
• Harvesting will transition to Mexico and South America in late September/early October
• Price are expected to increase
• Raspberry stocks are limited; prices are elevated
• The market is very active; demand exceeds supply
• Quality is good
• Expect elevated prices until supplies increase over the next several weeks

Lemons

• Growers continue to harvest lemons out of Southern California, but supplies are tight; prices remain stable at high levels
• New crop Mexican lemons are available for loading in South Texas and California’s San Joaquin Valley; the market has eased
• MFC Lemons are sporadic; packer label domestic and Mexican lemons are being substituted

Oranges

• The Valencia season is winding down; fruit will be on the market through late September/early October
• Stronger demand and tighter supplies of 113-count and smaller fruit are pushing up prices
• MFC and ESS Oranges are available; quality is very good
• The new crop California Navel harvest will begin in early to mid-October
• The new crop Texas orange season will start in early October

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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