News and Stories

The iceberg lettuce market is declining after several weeks at high levels; supplies have increased. Prices are expected to rebound when the Salinas Valley season ends and growers shift iceberg harvests to Huron, California and Yuma, Arizona. Last week’s showers in the Salinas/Watsonville and Santa Maria, California growing regions lowered strawberry volume; prices are escalating. Seasonal harvesting transitions and inclement weather from recent hurricanes will cause volatile tomato markets on both coasts; supplies will be limited for the next six weeks.

Iceberg Lettuce

• Prices continue to ease due to weaker demand and more plentiful supplies
• Markon First Crop (MFC) Premium Iceberg Lettuce is sporadic; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted when carton weights are below specifications
• The market is expected to rebound when the Salinas season ends and growers transition to Huron, California and Yuma, Arizona

Idaho Potatoes

• Idaho harvests will be completed earlier than anticipated due to ideal conditions; growers are beginning to fill their storage sheds
• Large-size Idaho Norkotahs (40- through 70-count potatoes) dominate that crop; small-size stocks (90- through 100-count) are limited
• MFC Norkotah Potatoes are available; MFC Burbank Potatoes will begin shipping in late October/early November
• Expect the market to increase gradually over the next several weeks

Pineapple

• Supplies are limited; inconsistent weather patterns in the Costa Rican growing regions have tightened stocks
• Prices are elevated
• Quality is good in Costa Rica and Mexico
• Expect high prices for the next five to six weeks

Strawberries

• The market is rising sharply due to tighter supplies; quality issues persist following last week’s high temperatures
• MFC Strawberries are not available; MBA and packer label are being substituted
• Quality issues such as bruising, light decay, mildew, soft texture, shortened shelf-life, and water damage are being found in the Salinas/Watsonville and Santa Maria, California growing regions
• Prices will remain elevated through October

Tomatoes

• East Coast harvests are winding down; California production will continue for another two to three weeks
• Growers in Baja, Mexico are between crops; new fields will be ready to harvest in two to three weeks
• Seasonal harvesting transitions and inclement weather from recent hurricanes will cause volatile markets on both coasts
• Supplies will be limited for the next six weeks

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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