News and Stories

California Oranges

• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Valencia Oranges are sporadic; packer label supplies are being substituted as needed
• The summer Valencia crop typically shows signs of re-greening this time of year due to high temperatures
• Skin, quality, and taste are not affected; these oranges are ripe, sweet, and juicy

Cilantro

• Hot weather continues to cause premature breakdown in Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Cilantro packs
• RSS Washed & Trimmed Cilantro is sporadic due to erratic quality; packer label will be substituted as needed
• California supplies are limited in Oxnard and the Salinas Valley; Mexican acreage will not be available until mid-August
• Open-market pricing is expected to increase over the next few weeks

Onions

• Rainfall may reduce availability as some New Mexican sheds do not have fresh onion storage capacity beyond one day of production
• Prices continue to climb
• MFC Red and Yellow Onions remain available in California and New Mexico; white onion supplies are sporadic
• All trucks will follow onion sheds’ transit temperature recommendations to maintain quality; airflow is key to preserving shelf-life and deterring mold
• New crop 2017–2018 onion harvesting will start in the Northwest by late August

Pears

• The Washington D’Anjou season has ended
• California Bartletts are readily available
• Direct loading will be available in Lodi, Finley, and Exeter, California; pears can also be consolidated at 4Earth Farms in Los Angeles
• Growers pack and sell by the count as opposed to the volume-fill method used in Washington
  • California suppliers ship 40-pound packs
  • Washington growers use 44-pound cartons
• The Bartlett season is forecast to begin in mid-August
• 2017-2018 new crop Washington D’Anjou production will start in late August/early September

Spinach

• Abnormally high temperatures are impacting raw product quality, supply levels, and shelf-life
• RSS Washed & Trimmed Spinach is sporadic; packer label will be substituted as needed
• Maintaining the cold chain is vital for optimal shelf-life and quality
• Markon recommends ordering for quick turns

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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