News and Stories

Bell Peppers

• Foodservice demand is at an all-time low, while retail demand has slowed this week
• Ideal weather will continue to increase volume in all growing regions
• Expect low prices and plentiful stocks through next week

Broccoli and Cauliflower

• The Santa Maria and Salinas seasons are just getting started, while Yuma and Imperial Valley production is winding down; product is available in multiple growing regions
• Broccoli availability (into South Texas) is strong
• Expect falling prices into April

Lettuce and Leaf

• Overall demand has decreased
• Huron, California season is ramping up; the Arizona/California desert region will have sufficient supplies through mid-April
• The Salinas and Santa Maria, California seasons have started in a limited manner; volume will increase by early April
• Expect lower markets into April

Melons

• Retail demand is up due to COVID-19
• Offshore arrivals from Central America into the U.S. are below normal, especially for cantaloupes
  • Mexican honeydews are crossing into Nogales, Arizona (primarily for West Coast markets)
  • Mexican cantaloupes will not be available for one to two more weeks (supplies out of Mexico are typically tight this time of year)
• The domestic melon season will kick off in early May; packer label imported melons will continue to ship in the meantime
• Expect elevated cantaloupe prices on both coasts for the next several weeks

Onions

• Limited supplies of Mexican red, yellow, and white onions are being shipped into Texas; prices are elevated
• The Texas-grown, fresh-run onion season has begun; yellow and white stocks are tight
• Storage crop Markon First Crop (MFC) Red and Yellow Onions from the Northwest will remain on the market through late April
• Fresh-run MFC Onions will be available in California’s Imperial Valley the week of April 27
• MFC Onions from New Mexico will start shipping in early June

STRAWBERRIES
Central California

• Rainfall curtailed production earlier this week, but suppliers were able to harvest around rain-damaged fruit to cover orders
• Occasional rain-related quality problems are present in some packs, including bruising, decay, mold, and off-color (photos are attached)
• As harvesting winds down in Florida and Mexico, demand will shift to California  

Florida

• The season will end this week  
• Berries will exhibit some bruising, softness, and off-color in remaining packs

Mexico

• Limited supplies will continue to cross into South Texas through mid-April
• The weather is warm (reaching the high 80s); expect some bruising and softness in remaining berries

Tomatoes

• Mexican vine ripe supplies (into Nogales, Arizona and McAllen, Texas) are ample
  • Retail demand has slowed this week, while foodservice demand remains extremely weak
  • Contract pricing will return to normal for vine ripes, Romas, and rounds the week of March 30
• Florida mature green supplies are ample
  • Foodservice demand has diminished due to COVID-19; retail demand for mature greens is minimal
  • Contract pricing will return to normal for mature greens, Romas, and rounds the week of March 30
• Expect unstable markets over the next several weeks

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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