News and Stories

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 nearly finished, fruit will remain on the market until supplies are depleted (early November). Quality is fair to good: softness and re-greening are issues. Between 0.50” to 1.00” of rain is expected later this week in California’s San Joaquin Valley orange growing region. 

Markon began transitioning into new crop California Navel supplies this week; 100% transition is expected by Monday, October 31. This year’s Navel crop is anticipated to have adequate supplies of all sizes and grades with plentiful stocks of 88-count and smaller fruit. The season will run from November to January. 

Navels

• New crop California Navels are on the market; volume levels are expected by early November
• Sugar levels range from 9 to 10 Brix; flavor will be mild
• 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 color deepens
• After gassing, external color is primarily dark yellow to orange with some fruit exhibiting green shading due to minimal gas exposure (click here to view gassed Choice Navels) 
• Approximately 0.50” to 1.00” of rain is expected in California’s San Joaquin growing region this weekend
• Growers will pack ahead in anticipation of the upcoming rain
• Fruit must be dry before harvests can continue
• Gassing wet fruit can cause spotting on the outer skin 
• Expect supplies to tighten up, but overall availability will remain adequate
• Plentiful supplies of 88-count and smaller fruit are expected through January once seasonal volume increases
• Prices for 113-count and smaller oranges are lower compared to the current Valencia market
• MFC and ESS Navel Oranges will be sporadic the week of October 24; more abundant supplies are expected the week of October 31

Valencias

• MFC and ESS Valencia Oranges are sporadic; packer label is being substituted as needed
• Prices remain stable
• The season is nearly finished 
• Remaining supplies will be on the market through early November
• 113- and 138-count sizes remain extremely tight; demand exceeds supply
• Quality issues are increasing
• Re-greening and soft texture are problems (click here to view Valencias with re-greening issues) 
• End-of-season fruit is struggling to make grade; a majority of supplies are going to processors
• Despite the green color, fruit is fully ripe, sweet, and juicy
• Sugar levels are at their peak (13-14 Brix)

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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