News and Stories

Iceberg Lettuce

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Premium Iceberg is sporadic due to inconsistent weights; Markon Best Available will be substituted as needed
• Abnormally cool spring temperatures are resulting in slower growth, lower carton weights, and smaller yields
• Processor and carton demand are strong
• Prices will climb next week
• Salinas Valley temperatures have been 5-10 degrees cooler than average for this time of the year, however higher temperatures in the low to mid-70s are forecast for the next 10-14 days

Idaho Potatoes

• MFC Idaho Norkotah Potatoes are depleted; MFC Burbank Potatoes will be shipped for the rest of the 2015-2016 season (June/July)
• New crop, field-run Norkotahs will become available in late July
• Remaining Idaho Burbank stocks will be dominated by small potatoes (80- through 100-count sizes); large supplies (40- through 70-count sizes) are limited
• The market for large sizes is expected to gradually increase

Lemon Market and Supply Outlook

• MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Lemons are available
• The Southern California growing region will be the primary growing area for domestic lemons until new crop Arizona supplies hit the market in September
• Strong demand and limited quantities of 140-count and larger lemons will continue to drive up prices
• Overall stocks will become more plentiful when Chilean lemons start arriving into the United States the week of June 13
• Mexican fruit will be on the market in early to mid-August; expect prices to stabilize by late July

Onions

• MFC Onions will be shipped out of Southern California through May 31
• Harvesting has begun in Central California and New Mexico
• Yellow onion supplies will become more plentiful next week
• Red onion shipments will increase at the end of next week
• The transition has created a demand-exceeds-supply market, pushing up prices for red, yellow, and white onions
• The market will stabilize in mid-June once both the Central California and New Mexico seasons are in full swing    

Orange Market and Supply Outlook

• MFC and ESS Oranges are available
• The transition from California Navels to new crop California Valencias is underway; volume will ramp up by mid-June
• Prices are elevated, especially for small sizes; expect the market to continue rising for several weeks

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