News and Stories

Hot and humid weather in Baja, Mexico as well as the Oxnard and Salinas, California growing regions has greatly affected cilantro supply levels, causing prices to rise. Poor quality is keeping yields low. Similar weather conditions are also causing strawberry quality problems and decreasing shelf-life; issues include bruising, decay, mold, and soft texture.

Cilantro

• Industry supplies are extremely tight; quality is fair to poor
• The iced cilantro carton market is rising; yields are low
• Ready-Set-Serve Washed & Trimmed Cilantro is sporadic; packer label will be substituted as needed
• Expect limited supplies for the next 7 to 10 days

Salinas Valley Vegetables

• Several regional growing areas around the U.S. and Canada are now harvesting leaf items as well as celery and broccoli, easing West Coast demand
• Green leaf, iceberg, and romaine prices continue to ease
• Overall West Coast quality is good; fog burn, fringe burn, insect pressure, and mildew are occasional issues
• Expect low prices into next week 
• Broccoli stocks are tight; yellow beading, large size, and hollow core are problems
• The market is rising
• Markon First Crop (MFC) Broccoli Crowns are sporadic; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed

Strawberries

• Hot weather and high humidity are deteriorating strawberry quality faster than normal; harvesting crews are culling fields due to poor quality
• Prices have been stable, but will increase due to tighter supplies of high-quality fruit
• MFC Strawberries are not available; MBA is being substituted
• The Santa Maria season has ended until new crop harvesting begins in late August/early September; demand for high-quality fruit is strong in Salinas/Watsonville

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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