News and Stories

Rain is falling today, March 11, in Southern California’s strawberry growing regions; harvesting crews were able to pack weekend orders before the storms began. Total rainfall will be less than last weekend, 0.40”-0.75” compared to 1.40”-2.00”. Supplies in Oxnard, California are not expected to be significantly impacted by the passing storm. Stocks are ample in Florida, but temperatures are on the rise; quality will be a concern as the season winds down in late March. Mexican growers have finished harvesting for the season.

Southern California

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are not available; Markon Best Available and packer label supplies in one-pound clamshells are being substituted due to rain
• Oxnard and Santa Maria are forecast to receive approximately 0.40” and 0.75” of rain today
• Overall quality ranges from fairly good to good, but rain-related quality issues are a concern
• Bruising
• Decay
• Rain/water damage
• Wind scarring
• Growers packed ahead to cover orders loading through the weekend; harvesting is expected to resume Monday, March 14
• Quality is forecast to rebound by Thursday, March 17
• Supplies will remain adequate despite the rain, but prices will inch up next week due to strong Easter demand

Florida

• MFC Strawberries are not available; packer label supplies in one and two-pound clamshells are being substituted
• Supplies are plentiful
• Overall quality ranges from fairly good to good
• Sustained high temperatures will begin to decrease size and soften texture
• Approximately 0.25”-0.40” of rain is forecast for Sunday, March 13
• Quality will decrease over the next several weeks as the season winds down
• Prices are inching up for Easter demand
• Ample supplies will be on the market through Easter (March 27); the season will end for some suppliers the week of March 28

Mexico (into South Texas)

• MFC Strawberries are not available
• The season has ended for most independent suppliers
• Driscoll’s strawberry and mixed berry seasons will continue through April

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

©2016 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.