News and Stories

Bell Peppers

Red Bells

• California has new acreage starting in Fresno to supplement the existing Bakersfield crop; size is dominated by extra-large and large peppers
• Eastern Canadian greenhouses have steady supplies while stocks are snug in Western Canada due to a prior heatwave
• Production in Mexico is light; a variety of quality is being reported
• East Coast volume is extremely low; prices are elevated
• Overall quality is good

Green Bells

• California crops have transitioned from the Central Valley to the Hollister/Gilroy area
  • The crop is dominated by jumbo and extra-large sizes
  • Santa Maria production is set to begin in mid-August; early volume will be low
• The East Coast has experienced rain in many of the growing regions
• New Jersey has steady volume
• Michigan started last week providing additional supplies
• Numerous other crops in North Carolina, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio are filling local demand
• All sizes are available in North Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas)
• Overall quality is very good

California Strawberries

Salinas/Watsonville

• Markon First Crop Strawberries are available out Salinas/Watsonville
  • This region is North America’s primary growing area for strawberries at this time 
  • Crops are past their peak
  • Supplies will continue to diminish until the fall Santa Maria, California crop ramps up in late August/early September
• Demand is strong; quality is good

Idaho Potatoes

Storage Crop

• Remaining Burbank quality continues to be a challenge as pressure bruising and hollow heart issues persist

New Crop Norkotahs

• There will be a split market next week; new crop Norkotah cartons will run $3.00 to $6.00 higher than storage crop Burbank stocks 
• U.S. No. 2 pricing will strengthen next week; new crop potatoes exhibit very few defects during the early stages of harvesting producing very few No. 2s
• Minor skinning and excess moisture will be observed in fresh-run potatoes
  • Potatoes release moisture as they cool, causing a white surface mold that is easily brushed off
  • The white mold dissipates as the potatoes dry

Limes

• Continual rain in the primary growing region of Veracruz, Mexico is reducing availability
  • Supplies are tightening due to reduced yields
  • Quality issues such as skin breakdown, oil spotting, and stylar are concerns
  • Growers continue to limit harvesting time due to wet weather
• Prices for all sizes are climbing
• Size is dominated by 150- and 175-count sizes, followed by 200-count fruit
• Elevated markets are expected through August

Markon First Crop Red and Yellow Potatoes

North Dakota

• The new crop MFC Red and Yellow Potato season is underway

Wisconsin

• Wisconsin MFC Colored Potatoes will begin to ship next week 

Idaho

• A limited quantity of storage MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes will remain available through mid-August
• New crop MFC Potatoes will hit the market the week of August 16

Onions

• MFC Onions will ship out of California’s San Joaquin Valley through mid-August; the New Mexico season will run concurrently
• New crop, fresh-run Washington MFC Yellow Onions are being shipped; MFC Red Onions will hit the market next week
• The season for MFC Idaho/Oregon Onions gets underway next week; early supplies will be limited 
• Colorado stocks will start shipping the week of August 16
• Utah-grown supplies will become available the week of August 23
• Onions out of the Northwest will have a rounder, more globe-like shape than stocks shipped during the spring/summer months; early season stocks will still exhibit thin, light-colored skins until shipped out of storage

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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