News and Stories

Asparagus

• Demand is currently high; Canadian retailers have locked up a large portion of current production to support the Canadian Thanksgiving
• Volume in Baja, Mexico is steadily increasing; Peruvian imports into Florida are light
• Quality is excellent, spears are straight with firms tips
• Expect limited availability for the early part of next week
• Prices will decrease late next week and continue to decline over the next 7 to 14 days

Broccoli

• Improved weather and growing conditions have resulted in better quality and yields, causing markets to decline
• An increase in supplies from Mexico crossing into Texas has alleviated California demand
• Expect markets to continue to ease and stabilize in the next two weeks

Carrots

• Markon First Crop Jumbo Carrots are extremely limited; packer label will be substituted to fill orders
• Production will transition to Bakersfield at the end of November
• Expect higher prices for carrots until size and supplies increase in mid-December
• Packer label jumbo carrots are available in South Texas (from Mexico) and Canada 

Green Leaf and Romaine

• Demand is strong
• Weather-related defects, such as internal burn, fringe burn, and seeder are beginning to improve following a period of erratic weather, although yields remain lower-than-normal
• Industry volume continues to be heavily impacted by the soil-borne diseases Sclerotinia and Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV), that are reducing harvestable heads at the field level
• Green leaf prices continue to rise next week
  • Supplies will be limited
  • Red leaf and butter lettuce substitutions may be needed to fill orders
• The romaine market may decrease next week, if the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirms their proposed test and hold requirements for E. Coli prior to shipment for all romaine products

Iceberg

• Markets have decreased due to elevated prices and weaker demand
• Although field weights are improving following a period of erratic weather, yields still remain lower-than-normal
• Volume continues to be impacted by the soil-borne diseases Sclerotinia and Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV), that are reducing harvestable heads at the field level
• As demand adjusts to new price levels, markets are poised to elevate in the next 5 to 10 days
• Expect limited supplies and active markets through late October 

Squash

• Volume is limited in Santa Maria, California, due to hot summer temperatures; the season will run through the end of October
• The Mexican season (into Nogales, Arizona) is ramping up
• New crops out of Georgia have slowed due to rain and cool temperatures; expect supplies to improve over the next few weeks
• Slightly lower prices are anticipated as availability increases

Tomatoes

• California volume is below normal due to high summer temperatures; California’s San Joaquin Valley season will run through the end of October
• East Coast production out of Alabama and Tennessee is winding down and has been slowed due to rain with cooler weather further reducing yields 
• Florida’s season is forecast to start in late October/early November
  • Quincy, Florida production will be postponed until October 24; Hurricane Sally brought heavy rain to the growing region, delaying the start of the season
• The Palmetto season will begin in late October; however, sufficient volume is not expected until November 1
• Fall Mexican production is underway in Jalisco and will run through mid-November; Culiacan will follow in December

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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