News and Stories

Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Oranges are not available. The California Navel harvest is underway; supplies remain very tight, but will ramp up over the next two weeks. Adequate stocks are expected by the week of November 6, however, the season is shaping up to be a challenging one, similar to the 2017 Valencia season. Expect limited supplies through the season.

• The 2017-2018 California Navel crop is forecast to be one of the smallest harvests in the past eight years
  • The crop is down approximately 5,000 acres from last year; growers are planting newer citrus varieties to meet consumer demands
  • Fruit set (how many oranges are actually growing on a tree) is down 29% compared to last season
  • Less fruit on each tree equals larger sizes; expect a shortage of small, foodservice sizes (113- and 138-count oranges) by the middle of the season (January)
• New crop California Navel supplies are slowly ramping up
  • Sugar levels are low, ranging from 9 to 10 Brix; flavor is tart
  • Fruit is being placed in gas rooms for three to five days to enhance color
• Early season size structure is favoring the foodservice industry (88-count and smaller fruit); however, fruit size will increase by December (dominated by 72-count and larger sizes with very few 113- and 138-count oranges)
• MFC and ESS Navel Oranges are expected to begin shipping the week of November 13

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.                  

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