News and Stories
UPDATE: Grapes
Markon First Crop (MFC) Lunch Bunch Grapes are limited; packer label supplies will be substituted as needed. Additional rainfall in Chile is expected to bring a rough end to the Chilean grape season, similar to how it started. Red seedless and Lunch Bunch grapes have been impacted more than anticipated by the inclement weather; markets are rising on all varieties. The season will come to an end in three to four weeks. Expect a very limited supply of high quality green and red seedless grapes during this time; prices will be elevated. Mexican supplies will begin shipping the week of May 9, but prices will remain elevated until overall supplies increase mid-to late May.
Lunch Bunch
- MFC Lunch Bunch Grapes are limited; packer label will be substituted as needed
- Very light supplies of portioned-packed grapes will be on the market for the next few weeks as the Chilean season comes to an end
- Adequate supplies are expected to fill Markon orders through the end of the season, but packer label may be substituted
- Prices are rising
- Quality is fairly good, but reduced shelf-life is expected for the tail end of the season
- Flavor is sweet: sugar levels range from 19 to 20 Brix
- Packer label Mexican Lunch Bunch supplies will begin shipping the week of May 23 and continue through mid-July
- Packer label California Lunch Bunch will begin shipping in mid-July; MFC Lunch Bunch stocks will be out until mid-to late July pending quality
Green Seedless
- Fine appearance storage supplies are now shipping at higher prices; markets are elevated
- Good quality supplies are light; some low quality green seedless supplies are still on the market at lower prices
- Markon will continue to source the highest quality green seedless grapes available; amber coloring and shortened shelf-life is common this time of year
- Flavor is sweet: sugar levels range from 17 to 18 Brix
- The market is expected to remain elevated when new crop Mexican green seedless supplies start shipping the week of May 9
- Pricing will not ease until mid-to late May when Mexican supplies ramp up and California supplies start harvesting
Red Seedless
- Supplies are light due to additional rainfall in Chile at the tail end of the growing season
- Crimson supplies were impacted more than anticipated due to heavy rainfall in Chile
- High quality grapes are commanding higher prices; markets are elevated
- Overall quality is fairly good; expect reduced shelf-life
- Flavor is sweet: sugar levels range from 19 to 20 Brix
- New crop Mexican red seedless supplies will begin shipping the week of May 9; the Coachella, California harvest will start around the same time
Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.
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