News and Stories

Multiple growing regions are harvesting iceberg lettuce, creating a supply surplus; hot weather in the desert over the next several days will cause heat-related quality problems, potentially pushing up prices next week. Due to recent cool and wet weather in Tampico, Mexico, consistent supplies of packer label Mexican onions (into South Texas) have been delayed until April; stocks are diminishing in some Northwestern regions, but there will be enough to avoid a supply gap. Open-market cauliflower prices have dropped below trigger levels; the market reached its peak, weakening demand. Strong demand for the Easter holiday is pushing up strawberry prices; supplies are sufficient, but size will be slightly smaller than normal.

Iceberg Prices

• Multiple growing regions are harvesting, creating a supply surplus
• Iceberg prices are easing
• Quality is good, but rib blight, odd sizing, odd shape, inconsistent texture, and insect pressure are issues in Yuma; occasional insects and insect damage are problems in Huron
• The desert season will end in approximately two weeks; prices for most commodities grown in this region are currently low, but hot weather will cause heat-related issues and potentially push up prices by next week

Onions

• Due to cool and wet weather in Tampico, Mexico, consistent supplies of packer label Mexican onions (into South Texas) have been delayed until April
• Prices for Markon First Crop (MFC) Onions from Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington continue to rise
• The market should stabilize in mid-April when new crop harvesting starts in Texas

Ready-Set-Serve Cauliflower Trigger Levels

• Stocks are increasing in Salinas and Santa Maria due to recent warm temperatures; the desert season is finishing up
• Cauliflower quality will improve as growers move to new crop Salinas supplies
• Expect lower prices into next week

Strawberries

• Supplies are sufficient
• Strong demand for the Easter holiday is pushing up prices
• MFC Strawberries are currently available out of Oxnard, California; Markon Best Available will be substituted as needed
• High temperatures are expected in Oxnard this week, causing small size; expect light bruising, soft texture, and dark berry color
• The market should stabilize the week of April 6

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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