News and Stories

Supply challenges stemming from erratic growing conditions in the desert growing region are forcing value-added processors to pro-rate orders to meet demand. The fill rate for Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) orders continues to be at 110% over the past 12 week average. Markon recommends monitoring sales to ensure that only key strategic customers are included in weekly averages. 

Tight RSS Items Include

• RSS Broccoli

• RSS Cauliflower

• RSS Green Leaf

• RSS Green Onions

• RSS Iceberg and Blends     

• RSS Romaine and Blends

Desert Growing Season Outlook

• Approximately 12 weeks remain in the desert region

o Most growers have 8 to 10 weeks of product to be harvested

o Expect elevated prices for the rest of the season

• Growers are trying to reduce weekly harvests in an attempt to stretch supply levels

• Because growers are planting less in Huron for the spring 2015 season, the industry will have to rely on late-season desert product or pre-season Salinas supplies to bridge the gap between the regions

• Weather will play a vital role in industry volume during the transitional period from the desert to the Salinas Valley

o Salinas Valley products will need to mature faster than normal

o Desert growing plants will need to last longer and not burn with spring’s excessive heat

• Markon expects volatile prices over the next three to four months. 

 Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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