News and Stories

The potato market is expected to rise; large-size Idaho Burbank and Norkotah supplies are tightening. Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Peeled Garlic prices will increase effective May 1, 2015; domestic and Chinese peeled garlic stocks are limited. Florida tomato production will slow down over the next two weeks as growers transition to the Ruskin-Palmetto region; stocks from Mexico have been tight, but volume is starting to increase. The bi-annual harvesting transition from the Arizona/California desert growing region to the Salinas Valley is nearly complete. 

Idaho Potatoes

• Large Idaho Burbank and Norkotah potatoes (40- through 70-count supplies) are extremely limited; small sizes (80- through 100-count potatoes) are ample
• Cool temperatures and rain received during August hindered growth and prevented stocks from reaching their full size potential, resulting in small potatoes (80- through 100-count sizes)
• Large sizes will start diminishing as early as next week

Mixed Berries

• Mixed berry availability is sporadic; harvesting transitions between growing regions and weather challenges have tightened supplies
• More plentiful supplies and better quality blackberries and raspberries are forecast for next week, however blueberry prices will remain elevated and supplies will be tight for the month of April

Oranges

• California Navel oranges are dominated by 88-count and larger sizes; 138-count and smaller fruit is extremely limited
• The Florida market is steady at high levels
• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Best Available Navel Oranges are sporadic; packer label is being substituted as needed
• More abundant supplies of new crop Valencias and small-sized fruit are expected by mid- to late April

RSS Garlic

• Domestic and Chinese peeled garlic supplies are limited

Tomatoes

• Mexican stocks have been tight due to rain in the current growing region as well as spring harvesting transitions, but volume is starting to increase
• Quality is fair in Florida, but will improve once spring fruit hits the market; Mexican quality continues to get better as stocks increase
• Demand has been weak, but will strengthen as summer approaches

Transition Information

• The lettuce and leafy greens harvesting transition from the Arizona/California desert region is almost complete
• By next week, all MFC and RSS Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine will be harvested in the Salinas Valley
• Quality is good: occasional aphids and internal burn are issues

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

©2015 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.