News and Stories

UPDATE SUMMARY: WEEK OF MAY 18, 2020

May 22, 2020

Asparagus

  • Production has started in Central Mexico; volume is ramping up
  • Michigan stocks are also becoming more plentiful
  • Limited supplies are being harvested in California and Washington
  • Harvesting is winding down in Baja and Mexicali, Mexico
  • Very few Peruvian stocks are entering the U.S. due to COVID-19

Bell Peppers
West Coast

  • Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available
  • The season in mainland Mexico is winding down
    • Green bell shipments (crossing into Nogales, Arizona and South Texas) have finished
    • Red bell supplies (into Nogales) will remain available for one to two more weeks in limited quantities
  • California production is well underway
    • Green bell supplies are ample
    • Red bell production is adequate; supplies continue to increase

East Coast

  • MFC and ESS Green Bell Peppers are available
  • The Northern Florida season will end this week
  • Georgia is the primary growing region; volume will increase over the next one to two weeks
  • Expect slightly lower prices as Georgia production increases

Cantaloupe and Honeydew

  • MFC Cantaloupe and Honeydew are available
  • Domestic 9- and 12-count cantaloupes are extremely tight; prices for those sizes are elevated
    • 15- and 18-count fruit is plentiful and priced $6.00 to $8.00 lower per case than 9- and 12-count melons
    • Large sizes will remain limited for the next 10 to 15 days
  • Domestic honeydew harvests are just getting started
    • Availability is fairly-limited this week
    • Mexican honeydews will be shipped as needed
  • Overall quality is very good

California Row Crops

  • All Central Coast and Salinas Valley commodities are readily available
  • Weather has improved and Memorial Day demand has subsided
  • The broccoli, cauliflower and iceberg markets will ease
  • Green leaf and romaine prices (which have held steady over the past few weeks) will weaken as well

Stone Fruit

  • California-grown peaches and nectarines will begin shipping the week of May 25; sugar levels will range from 10 to 12 Brix
  • California-grown plums will hit the market the week of June 15; sugar levels vary from 12 to 14 Brix
  • Supplies are expected to be plentiful into September/October
  • The Georgia peach season is underway and will run into September
  • California-grown cherries will be in season through July
  • The Washington cherry season runs from June to August

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.
 
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