News and Stories
UPDATE SUMMARY: WEEK OF March 18, 2021
March 18, 2021
Asparagus
- Cold weather and a storm system that brought rain and hail to Caborca, Mexico hindered production over the weekend
- The Caborca season will wind down in late March; production will transition to Central Mexico in early to mid-April
- Expect higher prices into April as Easter demand begins to ramp up and Mexican production transitions from Caborca to Central Mexico
Bell Peppers
Green Bells
- The Mexican growing region of Sinaloa will be harvested through mid-April
- Florida peppers are transitioning to the central areas of the state next week; large sizes are tight
- The California growing season is scheduled to start April 1 in the Coachella Valley
Red and Yellow Bells
- Mexico is the primary growing region; supplies are abundant
- California’s Coachella crop is expected to start in early May
- Peppers are currently the same size as green bells; however, they need additional time to reach color specifications
Cauliflower
- Supplies have increased and size is consistent; growing conditions are ideal in the Arizona/California desert region
- Production is getting started in the Salinas Valley this week; the seasonal transition will occur the week of March 29
Cucumbers
Mexico
- The mainland growing region of Sinaloa will run through late April
- Demand is moderate; expect prices to inch down as more inventory floods the market over the next month
Florida
- Florida domestic growing regions are up and running; additional acreage is expected over the next two weeks
- Imported cucumbers from Honduras are still on the Florida market; however, the season will wind down as demand increases for domestic product
Idaho Potatoes
- The size profile continues to be dominated by small potatoes (80- to 100-count stocks); large sizes (40- to 70-count supplies) remain tight
- 80- to 100-count pricing is easing slightly; 40- to 70-count markets are inching up
- As Norkotah supplies continue to diminish and Burbanks become the primary variety, supplies of larger sizes will tighten further and pricing will continue to strengthen
Mixed Berries
Raspberries
- Recent cold, wet weather in the Oxnard and Baja growing regions have greatly reduced supplies
- Pricing will begin to decrease slowly as Central Mexican production increases
Blackberries
- Central Mexico is the primary growing region
- Tight supplies and strong markets are expected for the next two weeks
Blueberries
- The primary growing regions are Central Mexico and Chile
- Florida production is getting started in a light way; volume is expected to pick up over the next 10 to 14 days
- Prices are expected to inch up over the next 10 to 14 days as South American seasons begin to wind down
Onions
Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington
- The market has inched up
- Quality is excellent with solid, globe-like shape, set skins, and firm texture
Texas
- Fresh-run onions shipped out of Texas will have feathery skins and light color/exterior compared to Northwest storage onions
- Texas-grown MFC Red Onions will hit the market next week
- Texas onion growers continue to assess the damage caused by the February freeze
Strawberries
Oxnard/Santa Maria, California
- Weather forecasts call for light rain this upcoming Friday morning, along with continued low evening/morning temperatures (in the 30◦-40◦ F range)
- Harvesting crews continue to work through hail/rain damaged crops to pack clean clamshells
Mexico
- The season is winding down
- Expect extremely low volume over the next 7 to 10 days
Florida
- Supplies are decreasing day over day as the season comes to a close
- Quality variance is causing a two-tiered market
Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.
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