News and Stories
UPDATE SUMMARY: WEEK OF DECEMBER 16, 2019
December 19, 2019
Bell Peppers
Red/Yellow
- Mexican harvesting is behind schedule due to cool, rainy weather earlier in the growing season; availability will increase by early January
- Florida supplies are tight; production is getting a slow start on the East Coast
- The California desert season will end in two weeks
Green
- East Coast rain is affecting Florida production; stocks have tightened
- Mexican markets are rising as demand shifts West
- Expect higher prices through the month of December
Melons
Honeydews
- Prices are elevated
- Rain earlier in the growing season has reduced yields in Mexico
- Offshore supplies from Guatemala and Honduras have been affected by lower-than-normal temperatures; small sizes (8- and 9-count fruit) dominate the crop
- Expect elevated markets through January
Cantaloupe
- Prices are steady
- Offshore stocks are adequate from Guatemala and Honduras; supplies are available for loading in California, Florida, and Texas
- The Mexican season (into Nogales, Arizona) will end this week
- Expect stable to lower markets through January, weather permitting
Onions
- Onion production will be limited Tuesday, December 24 and January 31; facilities will shut down early
- Sheds are closed on Wednesday, December 25 and January 1
- Shippers loading Thursday, December 26 and January 2 are expected to experience slow loading days as they work to get back on schedule
Strawberries
- California and Florida quality and supply levels will be heavily affected by next week’s rain
- Harvesting will not take place on Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25
- Mexican stocks will be available for loading in South Texas and Yuma, Arizona
- All members are encouraged to book strawberries on South Texas loading trucks where possible
Tomatoes
- The primary growing regions in Mexico (Baja, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Sonora) were impacted by heavy rainfall and flooding in late November
- Overall Mexican volume remains below-normal levels and is not expected to increase until the new year
- Florida stocks are tight; higher-than-normal October temperatures have resulted in reduced crop yields through December
- Weather-related quality issues are a concern across the industry; shelf-life is shorter than normal
- Contract trigger levels have been met; Act of God clauses are being implemented
Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.
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