Asparagus

Mexican asparagus volume is peaking; prices are steady.

Mexico

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Asparagus is available
• Caborca, Sonora, and Mexicali are the main growing regions currently in production
• The Caborca season is reaching peak production
• The crop is dominated by standard and large spears; jumbo and extra-large sizes remain tight
• Quality is good; spears are straight and firm with minimal spreading/seeding
• Expect markets to remain steady to slightly higher as Easter demand picks up throughout this month

Peru

• Peruvian suppliers are preparing for the next marketable cycle, as Mexican shipments will start to slow in late March
• Some fields in Northern Peru remain open, producing minimal stocks
• Pricing is generally higher than in Mexico
• Quality is fair; shelf-life is generally shorter due to longer transit times
• Expect minimal Peruvian availability until the start of April

Bell Peppers

Supplies are extremely limited due to freezing temperatures in Florida last January, combined with lower harvestable yields out of Mexico. MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

• Florida continues to see low volume
  • Expect very limited supplies through March
  • Stocks will increase a bit in late March, but will remain tight
• Mexican yields are low due to past poor weather
  • Rains in early February caused extreme humidity and promoted insect activity, which is hampering yields
  • The size profile is decreasing, as the season is past its mid-point
  • No. 1 grade supplies are scarce
  • Quality is average
• The California desert season will start in early April
• Expect strong demand and persistently high prices through March

Red Bells

• Mexican supplies are slowly increasing as growers start harvesting new fields
• Elevated markets are expected in April as some unripe red fields are being used now to fill green bell orders
• Quality is average
• Florida volume is low; suntans are minimal
• Expect steady markets next week

Blueberries

Prices are elevated; supplies are limited in all growing regions.

Offshore 

• Both the Chilean and Peruvian seasons will end in mid-March
• Quality is good, but will decline as the season winds down
• The market is elevated; supplies are limited

Mexico

• Volume is falling; the season is past its peak
• Labor issues and transportation blockades from the cartel have caused disruption
• Quality is good; some early breakdown has been reported
• Expect rising prices

Florida

• Abnormally low temperatures over the past month have delayed the season by three to four weeks
• Southern Florida experienced approximately 20% damage from the freezing temperatures
• Other areas north of Orlando saw 40-50% damage
• Suppliers are assessing damages and expect significant losses
• Markets are up; stocks are scarce

Carrots

West Coast carrot supplies are tightening as harvest shifts from California’s San Joaquin Valley to the Imperial Valley, where sizing has been smaller. Limited availability is expected over the next three weeks due to reduced sizing and lower yields, and commodity pack prices have increased as a result.

California

• Supplies will remain extremely tight through March as the San Joaquin Valley season winds down
• Imperial Valley supplies are snug as the season winds down and the new season approaches
• Markon orders will be filled in full; growers are holding to six-week averages
• Expect a demand-exceeds-supply market through March; 96-hour lead times are necessary to help fill orders
• Commodity pack (jumbo carrots) substitutions are available out of Arizona and Georgia
• Expect elevated markets and limited supplies through March

Georgia

• The season is in full swing and will run through early June
• Commodity supplies are tight; quality is very good
• Expect elevated markets as this region helps fill the void from California

Arizona

• The season is underway and will run through July; quality is great
• Expect steady markets through March

Cucumbers

Markets are escalating due to extremely limited supplies. MFC Cucumbers are limited; packer label may be substituted.

• Mexican supplies are extremely snug as older fields are producing low yields and new crop harvests are slow to ramp up
  • Quality is average; mechanical damage is a problem during pack out
  • Demand is strong
• Honduran stocks (arriving in Florida ports) are tighter than in years past; importers took a conservative supply approach after paying higher costs for port issues during the 2025 winter season
• Florida-grown spring production is expected to start at the end of March/early April
• Expect elevated prices over the next two weeks

Grapes

The Chilean and Peruvian offshore grape season is expected to wrap up in early May, just as harvesting begins in Mexico. As offshore supplies taper off, prices are likely to rise gradually.

Offshore

• The Peruvian/Chilean green and red seedless seasons will end in early May
• MFC Lunch Bunch Grapes will ship through late May from storage

• Quality is good; some soft/damaged fruit is being reported
• Expect tight supplies and rising markets through the end of the season

Mexico

• MFC and ESS Seedless Grapes will be available in early May

• Green and red seedless grapes are expected to begin shipping in early May
• The portioned grape season will begin in late May
• Expect elevated pricing in the early season; markets will gradually decrease as volume rises

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Iceberg prices have leveled, following sharp declines over the past two weeks. Romaine and green leaf markets remain fairly steady.

• MFC Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces are available; MBA is being substituted as needed
• Supplies of all head lettuces vary from grower to grower as they manage remaining acreage in the Arizona-California desert
  • Industry supplies are heavier this week, compared to recent weeks, as mature fields bunch together following warmer temperatures over the past 10 days
  • The Arizona-California desert season will conclude in late March
• Florida supplies have largely recovered from recent freezing temperatures; head weights are slightly lower as crews trim damage from outer leaves
• Mexican stocks are ample (crossing into South Texas)
• The short, four- to five-week Huron season is scheduled to start the week of March 16, with additional growers beginning harvest the week of March 23
• Salinas Valley production will begin in late March and continue ramping up into mid-April
• Although markets are currently weaker, elevated prices and limited supplies are forecast until Salinas production is fully underway

Oranges

Imported Moroccan Valencia oranges are shipping out of the East Coast. Advance notice is required for orders.

Imported Moroccan

• Fruit is arriving weekly and will be shipped through June
• Valencia quality is very good; sugar levels range from 12-15 Brix
• 113-count fancy oranges dominate stocks
• Import palletization:
  • 63 cases per pallet
  • Box weight is 38 pounds (17 KG)

• Domestic palletization:
  • 54 cases per pallet
  • Box weight is 40 pounds (18 KG)
• Prices will be comparable to those in Florida and Mexico

Squash

Supplies (particularly yellow squash) are very light due to past cold winter temperatures affecting crops in Florida; markets are elevated. Mexico is experiencing high demand during the transitional phase from Sinaloa to Sonora growing regions. MFC Zucchini and Yellow Squash are available.

Florida

• Production remains very low due to severe freeze damage from early February
• Surviving plants are recovering; however, recent cold overnight temperatures are hindering flowering and fruit set
• Supply is anticipated to be minimal through mid-March, especially yellow squash
• Markets are elevated

Mexico

• Sinaloa production is declining as they are past their peak production phase
• New fields out of Sonora region will start next week with light volume
• Demand is strong due to the past frost in Florida
• Yellow squash is particularly in light supply this week
• Quality is average and expected to improve out of Sonora region in early March
• Expect continued high markets over the next two weeks

Strawberries

Supplies are increasing in California and Florida. The Mexican season is past its peak; volume is falling by the week.

Oxnard/Santa Maria, California

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Plants have rebounded nicely after recent rain
• Volume has increased 40% since last week

• Strawberry quality, color, and flavor are excellent
• The market is soft due to ample supplies

Florida

• MFC Strawberries are available

• Warmer weather is aiding growth
• Quality is very good; white shoulders and green tips are occasional issues
• Size ranges from 17 to 22 berries per 1-pound clamshell
• Prices are steady; stocks are plentiful

Mexico (into South Texas)

• The season is winding down; availability is decreasing
• Quality is fair; white shoulders, bruising, and bleeding are problems
• The market is low

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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