News and Stories

Brussels Sprouts

• Growers are transitioning from Mexico to California (Salinas, Santa Maria, and Watsonville)
• Mexican stocks are in short supply as the season winds down
• California yields are also low as the season is just starting; stocks are expected to ramp up by mid-July

Cantaloupe

• Domestic 6-count cantaloupes dominate the desert crop; jumbo sizes are the most plentiful
  • 9-count melons are tight; prices are elevated
  • 12-count melons are extremely limited
  • 15- and 18-count cantaloupes are in even shorter supply
• Small sizes will remain scarce through July 6; substituting larger sizes may be required until then
• Limited quantities of bin cantaloupes are available on the East Coast (Florida and Georgia)

Celery

• The Oxnard, California season will end this week
• Inconsistent Salinas Valley weather has slowed maturity
• Both commodity and value-added yields are currently below average
• Production will be focused in the Salinas Valley until the Canadian and Michigan seasons start in July; overall stocks will increase at that time

Cilantro

• California weather has been warmer than normal over the past several weeks
  • High humidity is encouraging seeder development and yellowing leaves
  • These conditions may reduce shelf-life
• Markon Inspectors are working diligently with RSS suppliers to remove and/or reduce quality problems

Onions

• Both crops are dominated by jumbo and colossal sizes; prices are elevated due to lack of availability of medium-sized

• The fresh-run onion shipping process is different than the one used for Northwest storage onions
  • Onions are harvested directly from the field and brought into storage facilities at field temperatures, sometimes more than 100°F
  • Stocks are stored in crates (often for less than a week) with large fans creating a strong airflow to dry outer skins
  • Overall color is much lighter and skins are feathery when compared to the golden husks of storage crop onions
• Markon recommends storing fresh-run onions between 60°F and 65°F with plenty of airflows to keep onions dry

Potatoes

• Demand for raw product is increasing, creating competition for remaining 2019-2020 fresh-market crop availability
  • Processer demand has risen as North America opens from COVID Shelter In Place
  • USDA Food Box programs are utilizing stocks of small potatoes (90-, 100-count, and non-A)
  • Prices are elevated
• Supplementing MFC Washington Norkotahs may be necessary to bridge the gap until new crop, Idaho Norkotahs enter the market
• New crop harvesting is to begin on August 10

Romaine

• Inconsistent weather patterns in the Salinas Valley have affected quality and yields
  • Harvesting crews are working diligently to remove and/or reduce quality issues
  • Markon Best Available will be substituted as needed  

• Some grower/shippers reduced plantings due to COVID and concerns around past E.coli challenges; supplies are tightening

Strawberries

Salinas/Watsonville

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Abnormally warm temperatures received in early June have reduced current yields
  • Fruit size is smaller due to heat which causes more berries to fill clamshells
  • Quality remains strong

Santa Maria

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Stocks are tight as production is past peak levels
• Quality is good

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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