News and Stories

Mother’s Day demand has ended; short-term green leaf, iceberg, romaine, and strawberry prices are expected to inch down, but overall markets will remain elevated for the next several weeks; cooler Salinas Valley temperatures are slowing growth. The Chilean grape season is winding down; new crop Mexican seedless Perlette and Flame varieties will begin shipping soon.

California Oranges

• Limited quantities of late-season Navels will be on the market through next week; new crop Valencia fruit is on the market
• Prices are elevated
• Markon First Crop (MFC) Oranges are sporadic; packer label is being substituted as needed
• The market should start easing by late May when new crop Valencia stocks increase

California Strawberries

• Supplies remain limited due to lower-than-normal temperatures
• The market is steady to slightly lower
• MFC Strawberries are available in 2/4-pound and 8/1-pound packs; quality is excellent
• Although supplies are expected to remain tight, they will meet demand

Grapes

• Chilean green seedless bag supplies are rapidly decreasing; red seedless Chilean stocks will be available for another two weeks
• Prices for green seedless bags continue to rise; the market for red seedless bags remains stable
• MFC Lunch Bunch Grapes (in 21-pound packs) are not available; packer label is being substituted
• New crop Mexican green seedless Perlette supplies began shipping Wednesday, May 6; Mexican new crop Flames will begin shipping the week of May 18

Onions

• Storage stocks from the Northwestern regions will remain on the market through the end of the month
• Prices are steady
• MFC Onions are available in California, Idaho, Oregon, Texas, and Washington
• Expect MFC Onions from New Mexico to become available the first week of June

Salinas Valley Prices

• Harvesting dates are ahead of schedule due to last month’s above-normal temperatures; recent cool weather has resulted in a supply gap
• Iceberg and romaine prices have settled into the low to mid-teens; green leaf and cauliflower prices are elevated
• Effective Monday, May 4, Ready-Set-Serve Green Leaf prices increased to second-tier trigger levels
• MFC Premium Iceberg and Romaine are sporadic; Markon Best Available will be substituted as necessary
• Expect prices to remain elevated for the next 7 to 10 days

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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