News and Stories

Cold temperatures in the Arizona/California desert growing region and strong holiday demand have resulted in elevated prices and tight broccoli, cauliflower, and celery supplies. Green leaf, iceberg, and romaine stocks have increased this week, easing markets. More freezing temperatures are expected all next week; slow growth and lettuce ice will result in production delays, quality problems, and low yields. Tomato prices are rising; stocks will remain limited for the month of December.

Asparagus

• Prices are escalating
• Supplies are tight in Mexico and Peru
• Last week’s freezing temperatures have caused a slight gap between Mexican growing areas
• Large sizes are especially limited (jumbo, large, and extra-large); small sizes (standard and small) are more plentiful
• Markon First Crop (MFC) Asparagus is expected on the market by the week of December 21
• Expected an elevated market for the next several weeks due to strong holiday demand and tight supplies

Bell Peppers, Cucumbers, and Squash

• Bell pepper, cucumber, and squash prices are elevated due to limited stocks
• Cold temperatures and rain in Florida and Mexico are affecting production
• Expect high prices for several weeks until stocks increase from new growing regions

Celery

• The market continues to rise due to strong holiday demand and low volume
• Effective December 9, prices for Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) celery items will increase to second-tier trigger levels
• Cold weather has slowed maturity; quality issues are affecting yields  
• Large sizes are extremely tight, especially 24-count celery; 36-count and smaller sizes are more abundant
• Expect high prices for the month of December as demand will remain strong

RSS Cauliflower Floret Trigger Levels

• Supplies will remain very tight through this week; all sizes are limited
• Effective December 9, price for RSS cauliflower items have increased to third-tier trigger levels
• Cold weather and rain are limiting growth and slowing production in Salinas and the desert regions, tightening supplies
• The market is expected to remain elevated for the next 10-14 days

RSS Iceberg Triggers

• Demand has eased since the Thanksgiving holiday; supplies are increasing
• Iceberg lettuce markets have fallen below second-tier trigger levels; effective December 8, prices for RSS salad items containing iceberg decreased to first-tier trigger levels
• Quality is improving
• Yields are rising
• Frost-related defects are minimal 
• Expect prices to ease as the week progresses 

Strawberries

• The market began inching down this past week due to weaker demand and increased supplies from Florida and Mexico
• MFC Strawberries are not available; Markon Best Available (in one-pound clamshells) and/or packer label are being substituted due to limited West Coast supplies
• Santa Maria prices will remain steady to slightly lower for the rest of the week (pending rainfall)

Tomatoes

• Mature green, Roma, and vine ripe production will continue to yield limited supplies for the month of December
• The markets are rising in Florida and Mexico
• Expect high prices until harvesting increases in Mexico in January
  

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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