News and Stories

Broccoli and Cauliflower

• Most Salinas Valley growers are harvesting new crop broccoli and cauliflower
• Mexican-grown broccoli is crossing into South Texas; cauliflower stocks are crossing into Southern Arizona
• Demand is moderate; prices are expected to maintain low levels through the transition from the desert growing region to the Salinas Valley over the next few weeks

Grapes
Green Grapes

• January’s heavy rains in parts of Chile created a reduction in green grape supplies and diminished quality
• Current quality concerns include: split skins, decay, and discoloration
• Mexican green grapes will begin shipping by mid-May

Red Grapes

• Chilean red grape supplies are adequate
• Red pricing is expected to firm up in early April as the season winds down
• Mexican red grapes will begin shipping in late May

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

• Quality is good
  • Harvesting crews are culling frost, mildew, and wind-damaged outer leaves at the field level
  • Iceberg weights have increased but remain lighter than normal
• As growers begin the spring harvesting transition, iceberg and romaine stocks are becoming more plentiful; ample supplies of green leaf remain available
  • The season in Huron, California has started
  • Production is underway in Santa Maria, California; supplies will ramp up over the coming weeks
• Prices are expected to remain fairly steady as the Arizona/California desert enters the final weeks of harvesting and growers transition to Huron and Salinas, California

Idaho Potatoes

• A seven-day lead time is recommended for all Idaho potato orders
• 40- to 80-count markets are expected to climb over the next 7 to 10 days
• Norkotah stocks are diminishing weekly; expect this crop to be depleted by mid- to late May
• Supplies of large-size potatoes continue to tighten; current lots are dominated by 80-count and smaller sizes

Limes

• Mexican shipments (through South Texas) remain lower than normal, keeping availability limited
• 110- and 150-count sizes are tightening with the size curve favoring 200-count and smaller sizes
• A cold front that came through Mexico in February impacted blooms and fruit set; growers are anticipating lower-than-normal yields through May 2021

Onions

Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington

• Expect steady pricing through next week; demand has leveled due to new crop Texas onions entering the market
• Quality is excellent with solid, globe-like shape, set skins, and firm texture

Texas

• Size is dominated by jumbo stocks; super colossal yellows are tight
• Fresh-run Texas onions will have feathery skins and light color/exterior compared to Northwest storage onions
• California
• The spring onion crop will start in the desert region the week of April 26

New Mexico

• Production will begin in early June

Tomatoes
Round Tomatoes

• Florida mature green volume has increased as crops transition from the south to the central regions
• Mexican vine ripe production is steady
• Overall prices are steady

Roma Tomatoes

• Florida supplies are sufficient; South Florida is the main growing region
• Mexico is the primary North American growing area
• Prices are expected to remain stable

Grape Tomatoes

• Florida supplies are slowly increasing; yields are up
• Mexican production is lighter due to a harvesting gap
• Prices remain elevated, but will ease in the coming weeks

Cherry Tomatoes

• Florida is the main growing region; supplies are adequate
• Mexican volume is low due to acreage reduction this season; overall quality is fair

West Coast Spring Harvesting Transitions

• Although many produce items are available year-round, most are not harvested in the same regions the entire time
• West Coast lettuce and leafy greens growers make seasonal moves in the fall and spring
• Other high-use produce items that transition include broccoli, celery, and strawberries
• Markon inspectors travel with the seasons, monitoring product daily to ensure quality and food safety standards are met

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.
 
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