News and Stories

Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Oranges are available. The California Navel season is nearly finished; the California Valencia season is in full swing. Offshore Navels are on the market; prices are higher than those for domestic fruit. Overall supplies are ample. Expect prices to continue inching up through the summer, especially the market for small sizes when schools start in August. Prices will not ease until new crop California Navels become available in late October. 

California

• MFC and ESS Valencia Oranges are available
• The 2015-2016 Navel harvest is nearly complete; the 2016 Valencia season is in full swing and expected to run through October
• Stocks are ample, but small-size fruit (113- and 138-count oranges) will tighten when schools resume session in August
• Supplies are dominated by 88-count fruit, followed by 72- and 113-count sizes; the crop is averaging approximately 80% fancy grade and 20% choice grade
• Overall quality is good: re-greening is a concern in Valencia stocks during the summer months
• Warm temperatures cause a pigment called chlorophyll to return to the skin
• This occurrence causes a greenish tint on the outer skins of oranges
• Quality and sweetness are not affected by re-greening
• Flavor is excellent; sugar levels range from 13 to 14 Brix
• Expect steady to slightly higher prices next week; the market will continue inching up until new crop Navels hit the market in late October

Florida

• The Valencia season has ended
• The Navel season will begin in October
• Next year’s Valencia season will start in January 2017

Mexico

• The Valencia season is over
• Most Mexican oranges are kept domestically; very few Valencias are exported to the United States
• The season typically runs from April through June

Texas

• The Early Orange variety will start shipping in late September/early October
• The new crop Valencia season will start in January 2017

Offshore

• Chilean Navels are available for loading on the West Coast
• South African Navels can be loaded on the East Coast
• Only fancy grade fruit is available; the majority of these oranges have PLU stickers
• Small sizes (88- and 113-count fruit) are limited; shipments are dominated by 48- to 72-count sizes
• Quality is good: very few issues are being reported at this time
• Offshore oranges are packed in 15kg/33-pound cartons (80 per pallet) versus domestic oranges that are shipped in 18kg/40-pound cartons (54 per pallet)
• Prices are higher than those of domestic fruit
• Offshore fruit will be on the market into October

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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