News and Stories

UPDATE: California Oranges

October 19, 2016

Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Valencia Oranges are sporadic; packer label is being substituted as needed. The California Valencia orange season is winding down. Quality is good, but softness and re-greening are issues. Markon will begin transitioning into new crop California Navels the week of October 24 with 100% transition expected by the week of October 31. This year’s Navel crop is anticipated to have adequate supplies of all sizes and plentiful stocks of 88-count and smaller fruit from November through January. 

 

California Valencias

  • MFC and ESS Valencia Oranges are sporadic; packer label is being substituted as needed
  • The season is winding down
    • Supplies will be on the market through October
    • 113- and 138-count sizes remain extremely tight; demand exceeds supply
    • High temperatures over the summer months have taken a toll on fruit quality
      • Re-greening and soft texture are issues
      • End-of-season fruit is struggling to make grade; a majority of supplies is going to processors
      • Despite the green color, fruit is still fully ripe, sweet, and juicy
      • Sugar levels are at their peak
      • Click here to view a photo of Valencias prior to re-greening; click here to view valencias with re-greening
  • Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
  • Prices remain stable to slightly lower

California Navels

  • New crop California Navels will be on the market next week; volume levels are expected by early November
    • Fruit is being placed in gas rooms to enhance color
      • The gassing process is currently taking three to five days, depending on how quickly fruit colors up
      • After gassing, external color is primarily dark yellow to orange with some fruit showing green shading due to minimal gas exposure
    • Sugar levels range from 9 to 10 Brix; flavor will be bland
    • Navels will be seedless
    • To view a photo of MFC Navel Oranges that have been gassed, click here; for ESS Navel Oranges, click here
  • Plentiful supplies of 88-count and smaller fruit are expected through January once seasonal volume increases
  • Prices will start slightly lower than those for Valencia supplies
  • MFC and ESS Navel Oranges will be sporadic the week of October 24; better supplies are expected the week of October 31

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.


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