News and Stories

Commodity pricing continues to rise on the West Coast as harvesting winds down in California’s Salinas Valley. The Huron, California iceberg harvest is also winding down, while at the same time production is getting started in the Yuma, Arizona/California desert growing region. Prices are expected to remain elevated for the next several weeks, especially the iceberg market, due to low yields and quality issues caused by abnormally hot temperatures and heavy rains during the planting phase. 

Broccoli

• West Coast supplies remain tight in Salinas and Santa Maria, California
• Cold day and night time temperatures are slowing growth; rain is impeding production
• Demand is expected to increase this week; the market will climb
• Mexican stocks (into South Texas) are adequate; prices are lower, but should rise when stronger demand cleans excess inventory

Cauliflower

• The market is reaching the mid-twenties
• Supplies will remain very tight through next week; all sizes are limited
• Cold weather and rain are limiting growth and slowing production
  

Celery

• Prices are elevated; supplies are tight even though growers are harvesting in Oxnard, Salinas, and Santa Maria
• The summer’s hot weather has resulted in the current quality issues and low yields
• Prices will remain high through next week due to strong Thanksgiving demand
• Expect elevated markets for the next three weeks
  

Green Leaf/Romaine

• Green leaf prices are rising into the mid- to high teens
• The romaine market is in the mid-20s
• The Salinas season is ending; production is moving to Yuma and the California desert
• Quality is good in Yuma
• Mildew pressure is expected in Salinas due to the recent rain
• Markon First Crop (MFC) Premium Green Leaf and Romaine are sporadic; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted due to light carton weights
• Expect tight supplies and rising prices through next week

Iceberg

• Low yields and tight supplies are keeping prices high
• Internal burn, large ribs, light weights, puffy heads, and seeder are problems affecting yields in Yuma
• Prices will climb into the high twenties/low thirties this week
• MFC Premium Iceberg is not available; MBA is being substituted due to low carton weights and seeder in Yuma
• Quality is good in Huron, but carton weights are in the low to mid-40s 
  

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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