News and Stories

Bell Peppers

• Red bell peppers will be extremely limited due to excessive heat in California’s Imperial Valley
• Tropical Storm Cindy is forecast to sweep through Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, limiting production in those regions
• Expect increased demand over the next 10 days as fewer supplies become available
• Prices are expected to fall by July 10 as new regions on both coasts begin summer production

Leafy Greens

• Abnormally warm temperatures continue to impact the raw product quality, supply level, and shelf-life of leafy greens such as arugula, spinach, and spring mix
• Salinas Valley temperatures reached the mid-90s this week, impacting quality
• Expect limited supplies and shortened shelf-life potential for the next 10 to 14 days
• Maintaining the cold chain is vital for optimal shelf-life and quality; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns

Broccoli

• Markon First Crop Broccoli Crowns are sporadic; Markon Best Available and packer label are being substituted as necessary
• California’s wet winter has delayed second plantings for some suppliers, resulting in production gaps
• Mexican stocks are tightening due to quality, shifting demand to California
• Expect higher prices for the next two to three weeks

Salinas, California Weather Outlook

• Central California growing regions continue to experience unseasonably high temperatures; by June 27, a slight cool down is expected, but temperatures will remain elevated   

• Higher temperatures will promote crop growth, but can also create heat-related quality challenges and shelf-life issues in lettuces, leafy greens, and strawberries
• Expect more burn, dehydration, growth cracks, and sunscalding
• Harvesting crews will start as early as possible to avoid peak temperatures

Tropical Storm Cindy

• Heavy rain and gusty winds are expected in the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys and eventually the Carolinas as the storm moves eastward
• Multiple commodities including bell peppers, cucumbers, squashes, and tomatoes are being harvested in these regions
• Production delays and potential quality issues are expected over the next 10 days
• Prices will climb as fewer supplies become available

Extreme Heat in California

• Excessive heat is forecast in California’s San Joaquin and Imperial Valleys over the next ten days; extremely high temperatures can disrupt normal growth cycles and promote heat-related defects

• Limited harvesting hours (due to the extreme working conditions) will reduce yields
• Commodities affected will include bell peppers, melons, onions, oranges, and squash
• Expect reduced volume and higher prices over the next two weeks

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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