News and Stories

El Niño rain is forecast to return to several growing regions along the California Coast this Sunday, March 6. The first major rain event since January is expected to bring one to two inches of rain to growing regions including Oxnard, Salinas, and Santa Maria. Overnight temperatures could drop to below-freezing levels in some small inland valleys on Monday, March 7. Additional showers are expected next week as a series of storms land on the Central Coast.

• Approximately .50” to 2.00” of rain is expected to fall on the Central Coast in Oxnard, Salinas, and Santa Maria
• Depending on rain totals, some harvests could be delayed or cancelled
• Quality issues such as excess dirt, mechanical damage, mildew, pre-mature pinking, reduced shelf-life, wind burn, and wind damage may develop
• Markon inspectors will work with field managers to keep cartons as clean and dry as possible
• Extended periods of ideal conditions in Oxnard and Santa Maria have resulted in dry soil, which will help to absorb the rain
• Broccoli and cauliflower production is just getting started in Salinas; this rain shouldn’t negatively impact these crops at this stage
• Demand remains weak for most commodities, but California strawberry markets may rebound next week pending the total amount of rainfall
• Strawberry growers will harvest ahead of schedule on Friday and Saturday in anticipation of the rain; expect limited supplies early next week as crews cull fields for rain-damaged berries
  

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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