News and Stories

Rain and cold temperatures in Florida have tightened bell pepper, cucumber, squash, and tomato supplies; prices are elevated. Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Celery items decreased to second-tier trigger levels, effective January 28; supplies are increasing as production in the desert growing region ramps up. RSS Green Onion prices returned to normal levels, effective January 28; ideal growing conditions are promoting growth. Prices are expected to inch down through next week.

Bell Peppers, Cucumbers, and Squash

• Improved weather in Southern Mexico has increased supplies and will slowly ease prices
• Rain in Florida has slowed harvests; cool temperatures continue to stunt plant growth
• Prices are elevated, especially those for yellow squash
• Expect shortened shelf-life and quality issues such as bruising and stem decay in bell peppers and light color and scarring in cucumbers and squash
• Prices may rebound next week as Northeast demand returns to typical levels

Melons

• Offshore cantaloupe and honeydew stocks are increasing on both coasts; Mexican supplies are limited
• Prices are stabilizing
• Weather-related issues, including scarring and discoloration, will become less apparent
• Expect melons with sweet flavor
• Sugar levels range from 10 to 13 Brix
• Mexican stocks will become more plentiful by mid-February

RSS Celery Trigger Levels

• Effective January 28, prices for RSS Celery items decreased to second-tier trigger levels
• Volume is rising; production is increasing in the desert growing region
• Expect markets to continue easing over the next 7 to 10 days

RSS Green Onion Triggers

• Effective January 28, prices for RSS Green Onions returned to normal levels
• Supplies are increasing; ideal growing conditions are promoting growth
• Industry supplies will continue to increase over the next several weeks
• Expect prices to inch down through next week

Tomatoes

• Florida yields will be low through February as rainy weather persists; supplies will continue to increase from Mexico, but demand will keep prices strong
• The market will remain elevated for several more weeks
• Florida plants are damaged from persistent weather issues; high winds are causing bloom drop which will prolong shortages
• Quality is excellent in Mexico
• Expect tight Florida supplies through February 

Weather in the Desert Growing Region

• Rain and gusty winds are expected to hit the Arizona/California growing region this Sunday, January 31 through Monday, February 1, dropping between .10” and .30” of rain
• Freezing temperatures are also forecast to hit Tuesday, February 2 and Wednesday, February 3
• Some rain and freeze-related quality issues may develop, depending on the severity of the storms
• Markets are expected to rise; supplies will tighten by the middle of next week

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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