News and Stories

Green leaf and romaine prices have dropped below first-tier trigger levels and are expected to ease for the next 10 to 14 days. Lime production out of Mexico has decreased, causing prices to rise and supplies to tighten. Recent rainfall in the Oxnard, California growing region has reduced strawberry supplies and may lead to quality issues over the next several days. West Coast ports continue to experience delays due to stalled contract negotiations; employees are working over 50% fewer hours than normal.

 

 

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

• Warm temperatures are aiding growth and increasing yields

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Premium Iceberg Lettuce is not available due to light weights; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted

• MFC Green Leaf and Romaine are available

• Prices will ease for the next 10 to 14 days until growers near the end of the Arizona/California desert season

 

 

Limes

• Production out of Veracruz, Mexico has decreased; expect tight supplies

• Retail demand will increase as spring holidays approach

• Dry conditions have improved lime quality, including dark green color and refreshing flavor

• Expect the market to climb and supplies to tighten until the spring harvest in April

 

 

Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Green Leaf and Romaine

• Warm temperatures in the desert growing region are promoting growth and increasing yields

• Frost-related defects such as epidermal blistering and peeling are minimal

 

 

 

RSS Tender Leaf Quality

• Supplies are adequate; warm weather has accelerated growth, but also promoted quality issues

• The market will remain steady

• RSS Arugula, Cilantro, Hearts & Hearts Blend, Spinach, and Spring Mix are currently available, but may become limited; packer label may be substituted in the coming days

• Expect a decrease in supply by the end of next week

 

 

Strawberries

• Supplies out of the Oxnard, California growing region are limited due to recent rain fall; supplies out of Coachella, California are ample and will meet Valentine’s Day demand

• The market remains steady to slightly lower; demand is strong

• MFC Strawberries are available out of Coachella, California; MBA is being substituted in Oxnard, California

 

 

 

West Coast Ports - Weekend Shutdowns

• Grape supplies may tighten due to unloading delays; green seedless grapes will exhibit more amber coloring due to extra storage time

• Shortages of Chinese garlic, Chinese ginger, dragon fruit, mangoes, melons, watermelon, and other specialty items may increase

• Northwest suppliers are diverting containers to ports in Florida and Texas, pushing transportation rates up due to rising demand for trucks

• The port slowdown will potentially affect domestic markets and could drive prices down as raw product supplies originally designated for export remain in storage sheds

 

 

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

 

 

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