News and Stories

Mexico’s spring avocado crop is winding down, while the summer season will not begin until mid- to late July. Prices will remain extremely volatile for the next six to eight weeks. The Salinas/Watsonville growing region experienced higher-than-normal temperatures affecting green leaf, iceberg, romaine, strawberry, and tender leaf crops; expect heat-related quality issues and increased insect pressure over the next 7 to 10 days. 

Avocados

• Mexican imports, the main source at this time of year, are approximately 50% below typical levels; the spring/Marciena crop is winding down
• The avocado market will continue to climb through July; demand is strong
• Quality is good; oil content is high
• Stocks will remain limited until late July when Mexico’s summer/Flora Loca crop hits the market

California Strawberries

• Supplies are abundant
• Expect prices to ease
• Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available; warmer-than-normal temperatures will decrease quality and shelf-life in the weeks to come
• Expect low prices and ample supplies through Independence Day (Monday, July 4)

Domestic Melons

• Large sizes (9- to 12-count cantaloupe and 5- to 6-count honeydew) dominate stocks; smaller sizes will be limited over the next week
• Prices will continue increasing into early next week due to strong holiday demand
• MFC Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons are available in Arizona and California
• Expect active prices over the next 7 to 10 days as high temperatures in the Arizona growing regions are reducing yields and strengthening demand

Idaho Potatoes

• Idaho Norkotah potato supplies are depleted; the Burbank variety will be shipped for the rest of the 2015-2016 season (June/July) until new crop, field-run Norkotahs become available in late July
• Prices are expected to remain relatively steady, with slight fluctuations, through the end of the season
• High temperatures during the Idaho summer season, as well as sudden shifts to freezing weather, caused quality issues and inconsistent size in the storage crop
• Remaining Idaho Burbank stocks will be dominated by small potatoes (80- through 100-count sizes); large supplies (40- through 70-count sizes) are limited

Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Romaine Hearts Trigger Up

• Supplies are tight
• Open-market romaine heart prices have hit first-tier contract trigger levels; effective June 20, prices for RSS Romaine Hearts increased to first-tier trigger levels
• Demand is strong
• Supplies will remain limited for the next 7 to 10 days  

Salinas Valley Insect Pressure

• Insect pressure is an ongoing problem this year in the Salinas Valley, especially in finished packs of green leaf, iceberg, romaine, and tender leaf items
• The current heat wave in California will prolong this issue, as high temperatures increase insect reproduction and other heat-related defects
• Weather will remain in the high 80s/low 90s in the hottest areas of the Salinas Valley over the next 7 to 10 days
• Insect populations will vary in fields throughout the summer, but they generally increase in late summer/early fall

Tropical Strom Danielle

• Areas including Tampico, Tuxpan, and Veracruz received 8 to 12 inches of rain over this past week
• Veracruz, Mexico is the main region for year-round lime production
• The surge of rainfall suspended harvesting while groves dried out
• The increased moisture will promote growth and increase size; prices will continue to ease through July

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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