News and Stories

Asparagus prices will continue to rise over the next several weeks until production transitions from Central Mexico to the Baja region. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green Bell Peppers are available in California, Tennessee, and Texas. The green bell market will remain steady to slightly lower for the next two weeks as supplies increase in California and Michigan. MFC Red Bell Peppers are sporadic; ESS Red Bell Peppers are available in California while growers transition from the San Joaquin Valley to coastal regions. MFC Cucumbers are available in Tennessee and Texas. Low yields and strong demand are pushing up markets. West Coast cucumber supplies will be limited until growers move into new fields in late August. Limes will remain tight for the next week as industry supplies recover from Hurricane Earl that passed through the main growing regions of Tabasco and Veracruz, Mexico. The Soberanes Wild Fire north of Big Sur, California has burned almost 70,000 acres and is 55% contained. Sporadic ash may be present in some commodity and value-added lettuce items for the next three weeks or longer, pending full containment of the fire. Consistent weather and cool overnight temperatures have improved quality in Salinas and Watsonville strawberries; MFC Strawberries are available. Santa Maria’s fall harvest has begun. The market will inch up until Santa Maria’s new crop supplies reach normal levels in late August. MFC Zucchini and Yellow Squashes are available in California. Demand is strong on both coasts. Prices will remain firm until stocks increase on the East Coast.

Asparagus

• Asparagus production is declining in Guanajuato, Mexico; the season is winding down due to heavy rains that are impacting the region
• Harvesting crews are culling product damaged by recent storms, further reducing yields
• Production in Ensenada, Mexico will start in three to four weeks; MFC Asparagus will be available by mid-September
• Prices will ease in early October, but holiday demand will push up the market in November and December

Bell Peppers

• MFC and ESS Green Bell Peppers are available in California, Tennessee, and Texas
• The market will remain steady to slightly lower over the next two weeks as supplies increase in California and Michigan
• Stocks harvested in Northern Mexico are sufficient; weak demand will keep prices at low levels for the next two weeks
• Quality is excellent: color is dark green and walls are thick
• MFC Red Bell Peppers are sporadic; ESS Red Bell Peppers are available in California
• Expect elevated prices over the next week as production transitions from California’s San Joaquin Valley to coastal regions
• Recent high temperatures are causing quality issues such as cracking and early breakdown

Cucumbers

• MFC Cucumbers are available in Tennessee and Texas
• East Coast supplies will be tight for one to two weeks; lower yields and strong demand will cause prices to escalate through August
• Warm weather in Baja, Mexico has pushed field harvesting ahead of schedule this month; growers will transition to new fields by late August
• West Coast stocks will be extremely limited over the next two to three weeks; expect markets to increase until growers move into new fields

Limes

• Supplies are tight due to the damage Hurricane Earl caused while passing through the main growing regions of Tabasco and Veracruz, Mexico
• Production delays are expected as growers assess damage and restore normal harvesting operations
• Quality issues such as bruising, scarring, and stylar/end breakdown are present as a result of high wind speeds and heavy rain
• Expect prices to increase over the next week as industry supplies rebound

Soberanes Fire & Ash

• The Soberanes Wildfire north of Big Sur, California has now burned nearly 70,000 acres and is 55% contained
• Most of the ash from the fire has been drifting to the South Salinas Valley where only a small percentage of Markon items are currently being harvested
• Sporadic ash may remain in some commodity and value-added lettuce items for three weeks or longer, pending full containment of the fire
• Ash from wildfires is not considered a food safety hazard, but additional rinsing may be needed to remove it from commodity and some lightly processed lettuce items at the end-user level

Strawberries

• MFC Strawberries are available in Salinas and Watsonville
• Consistent weather patterns and cool overnight temperatures have yielded high-quality berries
• Santa Maria’s fall harvest has begun; new crop berry prices are $1.00-$2.00 higher than those in Salinas and Watsonville
• As Salinas and Watsonville yields decrease, markets are expected to continue climbing until Santa Maria new crop supplies reach adequate levels in late August
• A limited supply of MFC Strawberries from Santa Maria will be available the week of August 15

Squash

• Prices are rising in Michigan and Tennessee as warm weather pushes harvesting ahead of schedule
• Due to strong demand, markets will remain above average for the next two weeks; supplies will increase by early September as growers begin production in new fields
• West Coast stocks are plentiful, but strong industry demand will keep prices firm until East Coast supplies increase
• MFC Zucchini and Yellow Squashes are available in California
• Quality is excellent: size is consistent, color is bright, and wind damage is minimal

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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