News and Stories

Avocados

• Supplies are extremely limited compared to previous years
  • Mexico’s volume is down approximately 18% from last year
  • California’s crop size is approximately 50% lower compared to last season
• Although Peru is expected to send more imports this year, their season is delayed until late May/early June
• Overall quality is excellent
• Expect tight supplies and elevated markets until the Mexican fall crop begins in September

Broccoli

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Broccoli Crowns are available to load in South Texas and Salinas, California
• Growers are experiencing planting gaps caused by last winter’s rain
• Quality is above average; crowns are exhibiting minimal mechanical damage
• The market is rising

California Oranges

• MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Navel Oranges are available; packer label supplies are being substituted as needed
• The season for MFC Navel Oranges will end next week due to quality concerns and shorter shelf-life
• MFC Valencia Oranges will begin shipping the week of May 8
• Prices will continue to rise through the summer months

Cauliflower

• ESS Cauliflower is available for loading in Salinas, California
• Growers are experiencing planting gaps caused by last winter’s rain
• Quality is very good: texture is firm and heads are compact
• Prices are climbing

Celery

• The market remains strong
• Industry-wide quality issues continue to decrease yields
• Expect limited stocks and elevated prices through the end of the month
• Prices are expected to decline once production in the Salinas Valley increases in early June   

Domestic Melons

• MFC Cantaloupe Melons will be available beginning May 8 from California’s Imperial Valley; MFC Honeydew Melons will follow on May 10
• Large sizes (9-count cantaloupe and 5-count honeydew) will dominate supplies while the season ramps up
• Quality is excellent
• Expect stable prices as domestic supplies increase over the next three weeks

Grapes

• Chilean-grown MFC Lunch Bunch Grapes will be available through the week of May 13; MFC Lunch Bunch Grapes from Mexico will start shipping in early/mid-June
• Prices are expected to ease by mid-May, when Mexican supplies ramp up
• Mexican-grown green grapes will start shipping the week of May 8; red seedless supplies will become available one week later
• Green and red seedless markets will decline by mid-May

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

• Lettuce stocks are increasing
• Prices continue to decline; contract triggers are being removed
• Overall quality is very good
• Expect prices to fluctuate through the month due to planting gaps caused by last winter’s rain

Onions

• MFC Red and Yellow Onions are available this week in the Northwest; limited supplies are forecast for the week of May 8
• MFC Red, Yellow, and White Onions are available in California; spring/fresh-run onions will have feathery skins and light-color exterior skin compared to Northwest storage onions
• MFC Red, Yellow, and White Onions will be sporadic over the next few weeks in South Texas
• MFC Red, Yellow, and White Onions from New Mexico are forecast to hit the market mid-May

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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