News and Stories

Apples

• Expect a supply gap of Markon First Crop (MFC) Golden Delicious Apples over the next three to four weeks  
  • Ginger Gold, a summer yellow variety, will become available next week in limited quantities
  • This variety may be a substitution option for Golden Delicious, depending on demand and supply  
  • Flavor is a bit sharper than Golden Delicious, but still sweet for an early variety  
• MFC Gala Apple orders will require size and grade substitutions until new crop harvesting begins

Bell Peppers

• Green bell markets are elevated, but will ease soon
  • Limited green bell production is underway in Canada and Michigan this week
  • California harvesting is ramping up in Hollister and Oxnard
• Red bell prices will rise next week
• Production is winding down in Bakersfield, California and will transition to Fresno, Hollister, and Oxnard in two to three weeks
• Expect the market to climb through mid-August or until new crop supplies ramp up

Cauliflower

• Unfavorable growing conditions along the East Coast combined with reduced yields out of Mexico have shifted demand to California  
• Expect high prices for the next several weeks

Idaho Potatoes

Storage Crop

• Several Idaho packing sheds have already closed for the season, creating a gap in supply between storage and new crop supplies
• Markets will remain active through early September                         

New Crop Norkotahs

• New crop Norkotah harvesting and packing will begin in a limited manner on August 5
• Minor skinning and excess moisture may be observed in fresh-run potatoes
• Field-run MFC Norkotahs will be available August 12

Garlic

• Import volume is below normal
  • The 2019 Chinese harvest is nearly finished
  • Chinese imports into the U.S. are 30-35% lower than last year
• California‘s 2018 storage crop has been fully depleted; supplies have transitioned to 2019 fresh crop
• Supplies will tighten over the next several weeks
• Expect open-market pricing for domestic and imported garlic to rise this season

Onions

• The California season is expected to run through the week of August 12
• New Mexican onions will remain available through the end of August
• The Colorado and Utah seasons are forecast to start the week of August 12
• Yellow onion prices will remain elevated next week, then subside as the Northwest season ramps up the following week

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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