News and Stories

Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available; packer label supplies are being substituted as needed. Demand for California strawberries is strong. Prices continue to inch up. Volume is adequate this week, but the rain forecast for this weekend could limit supplies and push up prices for next week. Markon recommends getting orders in as soon as possible.

Oxnard, California

• MFC Strawberries are available in 2/4- and 8/1-pound pack sizes
• Approximately 0.50”-0.75” of rain is forecast for this Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9
• Supplies are expected to tighten next week
• Growers will pack ahead of schedule on Thursday, April 7 to cover weekend orders
• Current quality is good
• Texture is firm
• Most berries are medium in size; counts average 20-26 berries per 1-pound clamshell
• Next week’s quality will depend on the amount of rain received
• The market is slightly higher this week, but prices are lower than those for Santa Maria and Salinas/Watsonville new crop fruit
• A chance of rain persists through most of next week; periods of light showers are forecast for Monday, April 11 through Thursday, April 14

Santa Maria, California

• MFC Strawberries are available in 2/4- and 8/1-pound pack sizes
• Approximately 0.25”–0.50” of rain is forecast for this Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9
• Growers will pack ahead of schedule on Thursday, April 7 to cover weekend orders; production may be canceled on Saturday, April 9 due to the rain
• New crop stocks are adequate, but are expected to tighten early next week pending rain
• Current quality is very good
• Texture is firm
• Size ranges from medium-plus to large; counts average 14-20 berries per 1-pound clamshell
• Next week’s quality will depend on the amount of rain received
• The market is higher; demand is strong for new crop fruit
• A chance of rain continues through most of next week with periods of light showers forecast for Monday, April 11 through Thursday, April 14

Salinas/Watsonville, California

• New crop volume is very low compared to Oxnard and Santa Maria
• Availability is limited as the season gets underway; rain will continue to keep supplies limited for the next two to three weeks
• Most fruit is being sold to local markets
• A limited supply of MFC Strawberries will be available for loading FOB in Watsonville the week of April 11, pending rain
• The market is up; demand is strong

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

©2016 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.