News and Stories

Markon First Crop Strawberries are not available; Markon Best Available (in one-pound clamshells) and/or packer label supplies are being substituted due to quality problems and tight supplies.

Approximately 0.10”-0.20” more rain is forecast to hit the Santa Maria, California growing region this evening. Growers are packing ahead Monday and Tuesday of this week because of the combination of impending rain and the shorter holiday work week. Pending rainfall tonight, supplies are expected to remain very limited; prices will remain firm at elevated levels. Expect supplies to increase and prices to ease in December (once the Oxnard, California winter crop is in full swing).

California

• As much as 0.20” of rain is expected in the primary growing region of Santa Maria tonight, which could impact quality and availability next week
• Demand continues to exceed supply, however prices have peaked and are holding steady
• Supplies remain tight; the amount of rainfall this evening will determine the level of improvement in short-term supplies
• Growers won’t be harvesting Thursday due to the Thanksgiving holiday; production will resume Friday
• Overall quality is improving
• Texture is stronger
• Size is medium-plus due to the cooler weather
• Persistent problems include:
• Bleeding (causing mold in transit)
• Bruising
• Light decay
• Shortened shelf-life
• Light color

Mexico

• Mexican-grown strawberries are available for loading in South Texas
• Supplies are increasing, but remain limited
• Demand is strong for Mexican fruit; prices are higher than those in California and Florida
• Size is medium
• Quality is fairly good
• Only one-pound clamshells are available
• Stocks are expected to increase week over week

Florida

• The season is getting a slow start
• Early season supplies are very limited
• Prices are higher than those for California fruit
• Size is medium
• Quality is good
• Initial orders must be pallet quantities
• Only one-pound clamshells will be available during the early season
• Adequate supplies are not expected for another two to three weeks
  

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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