News and Stories

Harvesting for bell peppers, cucumbers, squash, and several other commodities will move north on both coasts over the next few weeks; expect unstable prices as production shifts from Florida to Georgia and mainland Mexico to California. Salinas Valley commodity prices are active this week; abnormally warm weather in the winter and early spring pushed harvesting ahead of schedule; although growers have made some progress in combating supply gaps, early May’s lower temperatures have prolonged availability challenges.

Bell Peppers, Cucumbers, and Squash

• Cucumber supplies are abundant; prices are low
• Squash supplies are ample; the market is steady
• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Cucumbers are available in Georgia and Mexico (into South Texas)
• Bell pepper supplies are ample in California, but tighter from Florida and Mexico
• MFC and ESS Bell Peppers are available in California and Georgia
• Expect active prices during the transition north over the next several weeks

California Central Coast Showers

• Thunderstorms and hail are forecast California’s Central Coast; rain will range from .25 to .75 inches in the Salinas and Santa Maria, California growing regions
• Growers of lettuces, strawberries, and tender leaf row crop items are packing orders ahead of schedule as much as possible in anticipation of the rain
• Continued harvesting and loading delays can be expected; some growers may cancel production entirely if field conditions remain too difficult
• Weather-related quality issues may develop including: bottom rot, bruising in strawberries, increased mildew pressure, premature pinking, reduced yields, shortened shelf-life, soft texture, and water damage in strawberries

Price and Supply Forecast for Salinas Valley

• An extended period of cool weather has slowed growth and limited commodity supplies in the Salinas Valley
• Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Green Leaf items will remain at second-tier trigger levels through next Tuesday
• RSS Cauliflower items are expected to reach second-tier trigger levels by Monday, May 18
• Cauliflower prices will remain elevated for two to three weeks; green leaf will remain in a demand-exceeds-supply situation as growers are harvesting new fields as many as 10 to 14 days ahead of schedule

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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