Broccoli

California

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Premium Broccoli is being harvested in the Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys; Markon Best Available (MBA) may be substituted as necessary due to inconsistent quality
• Prices are on the rise; supplies are limited
• Pest pressure from Diamondback moths is impacting yields
• Cooler nighttime temperatures have slowed growth, promoted mildew, and led to occasional purple cast on crowns
• West Coast acreage will decline through July as growers adjust their plantings in response to regional and local harvests beginning across the country
• Expect markets to remain elevated through at least mid-July
• Additional volatility is expected, and demand may surge if other regions encounter supply gaps

Mexico

• Mexican-grown MFC Premium Broccoli continues to ship into South Texas
• Prices have remained comparable to West Coast markets
• Quality ranges from fair to good; heavy presence of hollow core is being caused by high heat following rains
• Central Mexico is experiencing scattered thunderstorms that bring the risk of hail damage; heavier rain may also restrict field access for harvesters, decreasing availability

East Coast/Midwest/Canada

• Various regions will experience short growing seasons through the summer

• • The Georgia and Florida seasons are over
  • The delayed onset of limited production in North Carolina and Virginia has led to a supply gap, forcing most demand to rely on the Western U.S
  • Early season rains followed by high heat have led to stunted growth in most lots
• The Maine and Michigan seasons are due to start in the next two weeks and run through October
• New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York will also begin harvesting in late July/early August and last through September
• Limited production is underway in Eastern Canada (Ontario)

Brussels Sprouts

Markets remain elevated as supplies finish up in Mexico and domestic supplies are slow to start. MFC and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are available.

• Several suppliers are wrapping up their fields in Baja, Mexico this week
  • Humid weather and tropical storms are worsening as we enter the hottest months of the year
  • Quality is poor; characteristics such as elongated heads, heavy seeder, and insect/worm damage are present
• MFC and RSS Brussels Sprouts are now shipping out of Salinas, California
  • Salinas supplies are slowly increasing; Oxnard supplies are helping in a limited manner
  • Quality is average; both regions are presenting some inconsistent sizing and seeder
• Supplies are expected to improve over the next two weeks as more fields start in the Salinas Valley

Cauliflower

Limited industry supplies and strong demand are keeping markets elevated. Markon Essentials (ESS) Cauliflower is available.

• Production in Salinas and Santa Maria, California is light; demand is stronger than anticipated for this time of year
• Cool and overcast weather in Salinas and Santa Maria have led to slow growth
  • Overall quality is good with minimal defects and insect pressure present
  • Moderately warm temperatures next week should help push fields forward

• Adverse weather in the East and Mexico have limited regional supplies, pushing demand out West
• Volume will ramp up in Maine, New York, and New Jersey in mid-July
• Expect relief within the next 7-10 days as demand softens and supplies continue to ramp up across multiple regions

Citrus

Prices for small lemons (165- and 200-count) remain elevated due to short supplies and strong demand. Prices for small-size oranges (113- through 138-count) are higher as the Navel season ends.

Oranges

• MFC and ESS Valencia Oranges are available
• California Navel crop has ended, Valencia season is in full swing

• Availability is beginning to shift toward large sizes (56- through 88-count)
• Small sizes (113- through 138-count) remain adequate, but are starting to tighten due to warm weather
• Quality is great; color is deep orange and flavor is sweet
• Expect prices for small-sized oranges to slowly increase

Lemons

• MFC and ESS Lemons are available  
• District Two (Southern California) is currently in production; District One (San Joaquin Valley) has wrapped up their season
• 165- and 200-count sizes are limited; sizing is currently dominated by 95- through 140-count lemons
• Quality is good; some regreening has been reported
• Expect elevated markets compared to last summer with demand ramping up and reduced import supplies coming into the U.S

From the Fields: Diamondback Moth Pressure

Markon inspectors are continuing to find Diamondback Moth pressure in Cole crops from California’s Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys. Broccoli is currently the most impacted commodity, particularly in inland lots (fields furthest from the coastline) where recent heat spikes have created ideal conditions for the insects to thrive.

Although our grower/shipper community is actively applying control measures, Diamondback Moths remain one of the most difficult pests to manage. This is due to the larval and pupal stages occurring deep within broccoli crowns and between florets, which are areas that are difficult for both contact pesticides and harvest crews to effectively reach. Even during processing, pupated insects can remain hidden, making them especially challenging to detect and remove.

To mitigate the impact, we are working closely with our grower/shippers to source product from the cooler, coastal areas that are experiencing lower pest pressure. Despite these efforts, we cannot guarantee insect-free broccoli at this time. Other Cole crops from the same regions, such as Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower, are affected but to a lesser extent.

We remain committed to maintaining the highest quality standards possible.

From the Fields: RSS Romaine Challenges

Romaine Varieties Being Utilized:

As the grower/shipper community transitions into the middle of the Salinas and Santa Maria, California season, growers shift into romaine varieties which are more conducive to the longer, warmer days of the summer months. These seasonal varieties tend to produce an open-framed head with limited heart material and a dark green color profile due to the open structure allowing more photosynthesis to occur. Although they are more tolerant to the heat and longer days of summer, they can be more susceptible to bruising and reduced shelf-life performance.

Challenge with Sealing Bags Properly:

Due to the lower density of the romaine leaves, more product is required to meet the stated bag weight. When Nitrogen is flushed into these bags (Nitrogen is used to reduce oxidation and pinking), with more product in the bag, the smaller, lighter pieces tend to float up and can become trapped in the seal. This causes an increase in “leakers.” which will result in the pinking challenge we have begun to see in the RSS Chopped Romaine and Romaine Ribbons.

Production Adjustments:

• Markon is working with Taylor Farms to allocate romaine lots with lighter color, greater density, and more heart material to maintain our RSS quality standards.
• Markon and Taylor Farms QA staff have added additional leaker and seal checks throughout the day.
• These steps will help ensure consistency and catch potential issues before shipping to the membership.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation and will make further adjustments as needed, to maintain product integrity and ensure customer satisfaction.

Last week we discussed the challenges with RSS Chopped and Shredded Romaine products meeting stated shelf life due to:

• The romaine varieties which are grown during the summer months.
  • These varieties grow with an open-framed head with limited heart material, creating a dark green color profile.
  • These darker leaves are more susceptible to bruising and will begin to break down before their stated shelf life.
• Sealing challenges of RSS bags are due to lightweight, less dense leaves being utilized.
  • Smaller, lighter leaf pieces tend to float up and can become trapped in the seal during the sealing process, creating leakers.

We discussed the solutions we were implementing, as of late last week:

• Markon is working with Taylor Farms to allocate romaine lots with lighter color, greater density, and more heart material to maintain our RSS quality standards.
  • Attached are pictures showing the raw product romaine chosen for Markon’s RSS products today, June 30, versus the raw product being utilized for the Taylor Branded products.
• Bagger speeds have been slowed down to reduce the chances for product to get trapped in the seals.
• Markon and Taylor Farms QA staff have added additional leaker and seal checks throughout the day.

We expect to see the above-mentioned challenges through July. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and make further adjustments as needed, to maintain product integrity and ensure customer satisfaction.

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Green leaf, iceberg, and romaine prices remain elevated due to continued strong demand in Salinas and Santa Maria, California.

• MFC Premium Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine are available; MBA is being substituted when needed due to light weights
• Supplies in Guanajuato, Mexico, have been slow to recover after a hailstorm and ongoing rains, prompting processors and fresh market buyers to shift demand from Mexico to California
• East Coast supplies are average for this time of year; iceberg weights are lighter than normal with large frames and puffy texture
• California fields have returned to normal growth patterns and are no longer maturing ahead of schedule, as they had over the past three months
• Overall quality is good; fluctuating densities and insect pressure are present in some lots
• Elevated markets are expected to continue for at least the next two weeks

Mixed Berries

The Pacific Northwest has started their season early; Eastern Washington, Hermiston, Oregon, and British Columbia all have reported excellent quality and size.

Blueberries

• The Mexican season has ended
• Volume is decreasing in California’s San Joaquin Valley; the season will run through July, depending on weather conditions
• Supplies are now shipping from Eastern Washington and Hermiston, Oregon
• Quality and sizing are good
• British Columbia is ahead of schedule and will start picking this week
• Expect markets to inch up

Blackberries

• Supplies are sufficient and demand is steady
• Quality ranges from fair to good for Mexican stocks
• Heat-related issues include softness and cell regression (black cells shrink and turn red); fungal development has been reported
• California growers have started limited harvesting in the San Joaquin Valley
  • Quality is excellent
  • The season will continue through early July
• Prices are slowly climbing

Raspberries

• Medium-sized berries dominate availability
• Quality problems in Central Mexico include softness, mold, and leaky berries

• • The season is starting to wind down
  • Most growers have moved to Baja

• California’s Santa Maria season is underway; quality is excellent
• Growers will harvest in California’s Watsonville/Salinas region starting July 20
• Expect markets to remain steady.

Onions

The Washington storage onion season is ending; Northern California and New Mexico fresh run onions are in full swing.

Washington

• MFC Onions are available
• Washington red onion storage supplies have finished; growers are transferring to Californian onions to fill orders
• Washington yellow onion storage supplies are diminishing and are expected to finish in the next two to three weeks
• Availability is strong on all sizes
• Quality is good; occasional translucency is being reported on remaining storage supplies
• Markets are rising

California

• MFC Onions are available
• Northern California’s fresh-run season is in full swing
• Both red and yellow onion supply is strong
• All sizes are available; size profile is peaking on jumbos for both red and yellow onions

• Quality is good; excess skin and higher moisture content is typical of fresh-run onions
• Fresh-run onions will have a shorter shelf-life compared to storage onions; Markon recommends ordering for quicker turns
• Markets are slightly higher

New Mexico

• MFC Onions are available

• Supplies of all sizes are adequate
• Quality is good; excess skin and higher moisture content is typical of fresh-run onions
• Fresh run onions will have a shorter shelf-life compared to storage onions; Markon recommends ordering for quicker turns
• Rain this week has reduced harvesting in Southern New Mexico
• Expect markets to rise over the next 7-10 days

Pears

Washington pears will finish in three weeks. California pear harvests will begin in mid-July.

Washington

• Washington D’Anjou pear supplies are decreasing as the season wraps up on July 18
• All sizes are available; remaining supplies are dominated by 110- and 135-count sizes
• Bosc pears are finished for the season
• Prices remain elevated as supplies decrease

California

• Bartlett pear harvests will begin in the Sacramento River growing region in a limited manner the week of July 14
• California is estimated to see a 30% increase of Bartlett volume this year compared to 2024
• California suppliers ship 40-pound packs; Washington suppliers ship 44-pound cartons
  • Due to this pack difference, California ships approximately six to 10 fewer pieces of fruit per unit compared to Washington
  • The attached photos show Washington and California pear packs
• Growers expect a good range of sizing and excellent quality
• Due to higher sugar content, Bartletts typically have a shorter shelf life compared to D’Anjou
• Expect elevated markets as the season begins, then for markets to level out as the season ramps up

Potatoes

MFC Burbank and Norkotah Potatoes are available in Idaho and Washington. Markets continue to rise; advanced orders are highly recommended for full coverage and minimal picks.

Idaho

• MFC Norkotah stocks will be depleted this week; MFC Burbanks will be the sole variety for the remainder of the season
• Supplies will run through mid- to late August
• Large sizes (40- to 70-count) are extremely tight, while 80- and 90-count are adequate, and 100-count and smaller have ample supply
• New crop Norkotahs are expected to start in early August

Washington

• MFC Norkotah Potatoes continue to ship from storage
• Storage supplies are expected to finish around July 18; new crop will start July 21
• Profile is peaking on smaller sizes (90- through 120-count)

Colorado

• Norkotahs will wrap up in mid- to late August
• Light supplies, especially on larger sizes (40- through 70-count), are expected through July
• Expect new crop supplies the first week of August

Wisconsin

• Norkotahs will finish by mid- to late July
• Size profile is heavy on smaller sizes (80- through 120-count)
• New crop is expected to start in mid-August

Quality

• Overall quality is good; air checks, pressure, and shoulder bruising will be seen sporadically in remaining storage supplies (both Norkotahs and Burbanks) from all growing regions
  • Air checks are tiny thumbnail like cracks that are caused by stress due to abrupt temperatures
  • Pressure and shoulder bruising (soft, external indents) results from constant contact with adjacent potatoes, or the floor, while raw product sits in storage piles

Red and Yellow Potatoes

North Dakota has finished for the season, and Texas new crop is starting. Prices are steady in most areas, while Texas markets are gradually declining as supplies grow.

Idaho

• Volume is steady; storage supplies are shipping
• Several growers are moving fresh-run product from California and Arizona to supplement their Russet potato supply
• Quality is fair to good; some lots are showing occasional pressure bruising and lighter-colored reds
• Prices are steady with good availability

Texas

• Red and yellow potato harvests have started
• Volume and quality are very good; occasional skinning will be seen with the new crop
• Supplies will be available through first week of August
• Markets are elevated for the new crop but expected to decline as volume increases

California & Arizona

• California and Arizona red and yellow potato harvests are in full swing
• Quality is good; fresh-run potatoes have thinner skins compared to storage potatoes and are more prone to mechanical damage
• These seasons are expected to run through August
• Prices remain steady; large sizes dominate

Florida

• Northern Florida red and yellow potatoes will be available through the end of July
• All sizes are adequate; large sizes dominate availability
• Quality is good
• Prices are holding steady

Upcoming regions

• Minnesota is set to begin in late July
• Wisconsin will start the first week of August

Tomatoes

Tomato regions are transitioning north on both coasts; Roma and round markets are depressed. MFC Tomatoes are available.

Rounds

• Quincy, FL finished harvesting this week
• South Carolina expected to finish harvesting next week
• Tennessee and Alabama will start harvesting the first week of July
• California production in the Central Valley is underway and volume will increase over the next two weeks; quality is good
• Mexico has steady production in Baja (crossing in Otay Mesa, CA) and Jalisco (crossing in S.Texas)
• • The Baja Peninsula has nice quality and all sizes available
  • Jalisco has a wide range of quality due to recent rain
• Expect low markets over the next two weeks

Romas

• Florida harvesting has ended
• Tennessee will start harvesting in the early July
• California has early production in the Central Valley with good quality
• Mexico’s summer production is steady with the Baja region having the best quality

Grape & Cherry Varieties

• Florida’s Quincy region is winding down causing Eastern supplies to tighten up
• Baja Mexico has steady volume
• Overall quality is nice
• Expect slightly higher markets until Virginia and Tennessee get established in early July

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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