News and Stories

Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available. Prices continue to inch upward; supplies are meeting demand. Typical for this time of year, industry volume is beginning to decline as growers move past mid-season. Stocks will increase when fall production starts in Santa Maria, approximately mid- to late August. Expect the market to continue slowly rising until fall harvesting is at full speed.

• Salinas/Watsonville availability remains ample despite climbing prices and diminishing stocks
• Favorable weather patterns and cool night temperatures are keeping quality good, but post-peak quality expectations should be adjusted
• Issues such as bleeding, bruising, and soft texture will become more prevalent
• Size is dominated by medium fruit; plants are producing very few large berries
• Long-stem strawberries will be very sporadic
• Santa Maria’s fall harvest will begin the week of August 8
• Availability will be extremely limited until mid- to late August when yields increase
• New crop berries will command higher prices than Salinas/Watsonville fruit
• Santa Maria berries can be consolidated for loading in the Salinas Valley or Los Angeles, California
• A limited supply of MFC Strawberries from Santa Maria are expected hit the market the week of August 15
• Expect prices to continue inching up through mid- to late August

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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