News and Stories

Warm, humid weather has weakened raw cilantro quality and reduced yields in Mexico and the U.S. Expect elevated prices and tight supplies for the next 7 to 10 days. Lower yields and strong demand will increase broccoli, iceberg, romaine, and romaine heart prices. Iceberg growers are ahead of scheduled production; supplies will be limited through early next week. Growers are heavily culling strawberry fields due to poor quality fruit in the Salinas/Watsonville, California growing region. New crop Santa Maria volume levels are expected to increase by the week of August 17.

Asparagus

• Prices are rising
• Supplies are tightening in Central Mexico
• Peruvian stocks remain limited due to cold winter weather
• Quality is good, however Markon First Crop (MFC) Asparagus is not available at this time
• Expect an elevated market through August

Bell Peppers

• Green bell pepper supplies have increased on both coasts
• Prices are lower
• West Coast quality is excellent
• Expect elevated red and yellow bell pepper prices for the next 10 to 14 days (until West Coast production increases)
• Stocks are limited
• Expect some scarring on East Coast supplies

Cilantro

• Cilantro remains in short supply due to heat-related quality issues
• Prices are elevated as demand exceeds supply throughout the industry
• Ready-Set-Serve Washed & Trimmed Cilantro is sporadic; packer label will be substituted as needed
• Bacterial leaf spotting, mildew, seeder, small size, tip burn, and yellowing are problems reducing shelf-life
• Expect limited supplies and active markets for the next 10 to 14 days

Onions

• Demand is moderate, keeping prices steady to slightly lower
• MFC Onions are available in California, New Mexico, and Washington
• The season for MFC Onions from California and New Mexico will end the week of August 24
• MFC Onions will be shipped from Utah the week of September 7

Salinas Valley Markets

• MFC Premium Iceberg is limited; Markon Best Available (MBA) will be substituted as needed
• Iceberg supplies will be limited through early next week
• Pounds per acre have dropped due to heat-related quality issues, including inconsistent/dense texture, insect pressure, mildew, and seeder
• Prices are escalating due to increased school demand
• MFC Premium Romaine is available; MFC Premium Romaine Hearts are available
• Reduced regional supplies and strong demand will push up romaine and romaine heart prices
• Increased seeder issues are lowering yields
• Fringe burn, insect pressure, internal burn, and mildew are sporadic problems
• Broccoli supplies are tight
• Increased school demand and lower regional production will keep markets elevated
• Overall quality is diminishing: branching, brown/purple bead, and hollow core are problems

Strawberries

• Prices continue to rise; demand exceeds supply
• Harvesting crews are heavily culling fields due to poor quality; bruising, light decay, mildew, over-ripeness, and soft texture are issues
• MFC Strawberries are not available; MBA is being substituted
• Expect prices to remain elevated through the end of the Salinas/Watsonville season
• New crop Santa Maria supplies will increase to adequate levels by the week of August 17

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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