News and Stories

California Oranges:

• The California Valencia season is nearly finished; fruit will remain on the market until supplies are depleted (early November)
• Quality issues in Valencias include re-greening and soft texture; despite green tints, fruit is still fully ripe, sweet, and juicy
• Valencia prices remain stable
• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Valencia Oranges are sporadic; packer label is being substituted as needed
• Markon began shipping new crop California Navels this week
• 100% transition is expected by Monday, October 31
• The season will run through January

California Strawberries:

• MFC Strawberries are not available; Markon Best Available and packer label are being substituted as needed
• Last week’s rainfall followed by a short heat wave is causing a supply disruption in the major growing regions of California for five to seven days (until growers are able to cull damaged fruit and return to shipping fresh market product)
• Prices will continue to rise as supplies are not meeting demand

Celery:

• The East Coast and Canadian seasons are ending, strengthening demand and driving up the California market
• Supplies should meet demand, but prices will be elevated through the holidays
• Very good quality is expected
• The market will reach the high teens as Thanksgiving nears

Green Beans:

• Hurricane Matthew decreased supplies throughout Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, creating a production gap
• Availability is day to day, with some shortages occurring; plentiful supplies are expected by November 14
• Raw product quality is fair
• Decay, rusting, and water spots will further reduce yields
• Growers are culling damaged acreage
• Prices will increase over the next 10 days due to limited supplies

Hurricane Seymour:

• Rainfall is expected in the Salinas Valley, Huron, and Santa Maria, California
• Increased moisture is expected through the weekend and may cause disruption of green leaf, iceberg, romaine, and strawberry harvests
• Expect stocks to tighten and prices to escalate due to heavy rain

Idaho Potatoes:

• 2016 Idaho potato harvest is complete
• MFC Norkotah Potatoes are readily available; limited supplies of packer label Burbanks are also on the market
• MFC Burbank Potatoes will begin shipping from storage next week
• Strong demand for the Thanksgiving holiday will begin in early November
• Expect prices to remain relatively steady, even weaken (depending on demand)

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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