News and Stories

Markon First Crop (MFC) Grapes are not available in 21-pound portion packs; packer label supplies are being substituted. Remaining California storage stocks will remain on the market through next week then transition into new crop Chilean fruit the week of January 4. New crop Chilean supplies are behind their regular seasonal schedule. Inconsistent weather patterns during bloom growth hindered fruit development and delayed harvests for this year’s crop. East Coast arrivals of new crop Chilean green and red seedless bagged grapes have been sporadic thus far. Chilean volume is 18% below last year’s East Coast arrivals; West Coast shipments are 80% year to date. Prices are high and not expected to ease until early February when volume increases.

Lunch Bunch Grapes

• MFC Grapes are not available in 21-pound portion packs; packer label is being substituted
• The market continues to rise due to limited stocks
• Packer label domestic supplies will be shipped through mid-January
• New crop Chilean packer label Lunch Bunch grapes are expected to become available in mid-January
• Growers have been packing the Crimson variety into MFC Lunch Bunch packs
• The Flame variety will kick off the Chilean Lunch Bunch season
• This type is a rounder berry and will appear smaller when compared to California Crimsons
• Flavor will be sweet; texture will be a bit crisp

Green Seedless Grapes

• Prices are rising
• California green seedless storage stocks will be shipped through next week
• Remaining supplies are exhibiting a wide range of quality
• Dry stems, soft texture, and straw coloring are concerns
• High quality fruit is commanding elevated prices
• Flavor is sweet; sugar levels are averaging 18 Brix
• New crop Peruvian Sugraone green seedless stocks are available for loading on the East Coast
• West Coast supplies are limited
• The market is higher than prices for California green seedless grapes
• Supplies are tight; volume levels are not expected until early February
• Berry size is large; shape is round
• Flavor is tart; sugar levels are low

Red Seedless Grapes

• California red seedless storage supplies will be on the market through next week
• Flavor is sweet; sugar levels range from 19 to 20 Brix
• Berry size is large; shape is round
• Prices are increasing as the California season ends
• New crop Peruvian Flame red seedless stocks are on the market
• Supplies are available for loading on the East Coast
• West Coast supplies are limited
• Berry size is medium to large; shape is round
• Flavor is tart to sweet; sugar levels are lower than California red seedless fruit

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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