News and Stories

Bell Peppers
West Coast

• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available
• Green bells have transitioned to California’s Southern Central Valley
  • Overall supplies are sufficient
  • The crop is dominated by jumbo and extra-large sizes
• Red bell harvesting is starting to wind down in California’s Imperial Valley
  • Stocks are tightening
  • New crop production will start in California’s Southern Central Valley by early July

East Coast

• MFC and ESS Green Bell Peppers are available; packer label may be substituted as necessary
• Growers are transitioning from Georgia to North Carolina
• Demand will shift to the West Coast
• Expect tight supplies through early July when North Carolina volume ramps up

Blueberries

• Production is winding down in California, Central Mexico, Georgia, and North Carolina
• The Pacific Northwest growing region is behind schedule due to wet weather that was experienced 10 to 12 days ago
• Harvesting has begun in Watsonville, California and New Jersey; supplies will increase gradually over the next 14 days
• Volume is expected to remain low into early July

Broccoli and Cauliflower

• The California broccoli and cauliflower markets are elevated due to strong demand and inconsistent stocks
• Volatile weather back in late May and early June caused the current supply gap
• Strong demand combined with lower volume will keep markets high through June
• Mexican broccoli volume is low (into South Texas), but supplies are available with adequate lead time

Garlic

• Imported garlic shipments to the U.S. (from Argentina, China, Korea, Mexico, and Spain) are below normal levels; prices remain elevated
• The 2019 California storage crop is being depleted quickly
• New crop harvesting has begun in a light way this week
  • Freshly harvested garlic needs a few weeks to dry out before peeling can take place
  • Expect new crop peeled California garlic to begin shipping July 6, 2020

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

• High heat in the Salinas Valley is expected to affect quality and yields 
  • Harvesting crews will work diligently to remove and/or reduce quality issues
  • Markon Best Available will be substituted as needed 
• Supplies have also been curtailed by gaps in planting schedules
• Expect unstable markets through the Fourth of July holiday

Strawberries
Salinas/Watsonville

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Supplies are sufficient
• Quality is very good

Santa Maria

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Production is past peak levels
• Stocks are diminishing
• Quality is good

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.
 
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