News and Stories

Avocados

• 2017 California crop volume was lower than normal; the season is wrapping up
• Growers in Mexico have transitioned to the summer crop (Flora Loca bloom) which has the lowest volume of the year
• Supplies will be limited for the next 8-10 weeks, especially No. 2 grade fruit
• Prices will remain high through September

Brussel Sprouts

• Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts and RSS Brussels Sprout Halves are limited due to industry-wide shortages
• Growers in Baja, Mexico will finish production by next week; high temperatures have increased quality issues
• California’s Central Coast production will ramp up within the next 7 to 10 days
• Prices are elevated, but are expected to weaken by late next week

Cilantro

• Expect RSS Washed & Trimmed Cilantro trigger levels to move up early next week
• RSS Washed & Trimmed Cilantro is sporadic due to erratic quality; packer label will be substituted as needed
• Weather permitting, Mexican production will start again in mid-August; supply levels will return to normal  
• Supplies continue to tighten; open-market pricing is on the rise

Idaho Potatoes

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Idaho Burbank Potatoes will be available through August 19

• New crop Norkotah harvesting and packing will begin in a limited manner on August 8
• New crop Burbank production will start in late September/early October

• Storage crop White Russets will be available through September 1
• New crop White Russets will hit the market by November 13; this variety must go through a 28-day sweat process before shipment

Onions 

• MFC Onions remain available in California and New Mexico 
• MFC Onions from Washington will become available the week of August 8; limited quantities of packer label stocks are currently being shipped
• MFC Onions from Idaho/Oregon will start shipping the week of August 14; packer label onions will be on the market next week  
• Utah MFC Red and Yellow Onions will be on the market the week of August 28 

Oranges

• MFC and Markon Essentials Valencia Oranges are sporadic; packer label supplies are being substituted as needed
• Domestic supplies are becoming extremely limited, especially choice grade and small fruit (113- and 138-count sizes)
• An industry-wide supply shortage of domestic Valencias is expected to occur by mid-August; offshore Navels will be supplemented as needed to fill all orders
• The market continues to rise

Salinas Valley, California Weather Outlook

• Unseasonably warm weather is expected in the Salinas Valley growing region beginning Tuesday August 1 and persisting through the week
• MFC Premium Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine are readily available; Markon Best Available will be substituted as needed
• High temperatures will create heat-related quality challenges and shelf-life issues in lettuces and leafy greens              

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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