News and Stories

Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) processors have successfully transitioned harvesting and processing equipment from the Salinas Valley, California to Yuma, Arizona. Green leaf, iceberg, and romaine markets continue to rise; abnormally warm temperatures and heavy rains during the planting phase have reduced yields. Open-market cauliflower prices have reached third-tier contract trigger levels; cold weather and rain in the Salinas Valley have limited growth and slowed production in Salinas, causing very tight supplies.

RSS Cauliflower Floret Trigger Levels

• Supplies will remain very tight through this week; all sizes are limited
• Open-market cauliflower prices have reached third-tier contract trigger levels; effective Monday, November 23 RSS Cauliflower increased to third-tier trigger pricing
• Cold weather and rain are limiting growth and slowing production in Salinas, tightening stocks
• Desert supplies are also limited from heavy rains during planting that have pushed back harvests and caused low yields

RSS Green Leaf, Iceberg and Romaine Triggers

• Stocks are extremely tight as growers transition from the Salinas Valley to the Arizona/California desert region
• Desert volume is low; abnormally warm temperatures and heavy rains during the planting phase have reduced yields
• The green leaf, iceberg, and romaine markets continue to rise; prices have reached first-tier trigger levels for green leaf and second-tier trigger levels for iceberg and romaine
• Effective Monday, November 23, prices for RSS salad items increased to first-tier and second-tier triggers (depending on ingredients in the blend)
• Despite tight supplies, quality remains good: mildew and wind burn are minor issues
• Expect prices to remain elevated 

Strawberries

• Demand continues to exceed supply, however prices have peaked and are holding steady
• Supplies are expected to remain very limited; the market will remain elevated
• Markon First Crop Strawberries are not available; Markon Best Available (in one-pound clamshells) and/or packer label supplies are being substituted due to quality problems and tight supplies
• Expect supplies to increase and prices to ease in December (once the Oxnard, California winter crop is in full swing)

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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