Bell pepper supplies are limited; Mexico is struggling to meet demand due to extreme heat and lower harvestable yields. Florida is contributing very little as it recovers from winter freeze damage. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

• Mexican yields are low; high temperatures will further slow production this week
  • Quality is mixed; insect pressure is higher than in years past
  • Extra-large and No. 1 grade supplies are tight
  • The Sonora season will start in late March; growers planted fewer hectares this year
• The Florida freeze affected many of the scheduled March fields; volume is down substantially from last year
  • Remaining fields require extra grading; choice-grade supplies are most common
  • New fields will be harvested in April, bridging the gap to the Georgia season that starts in late May
• Temperatures are extremely high in the California desert region, which may accelerate the season’s start date (currently mid- to late April)
• Expect high prices through late March

Red Bells

• Mexican supplies are snug this week due to the Mexican national holiday on March 16 and the heatwave that is limiting harvestable hours
  • Growers will experience less overall availability as they harvested unripe red fields to fill green bell pepper demand over the last month
  • Quality ranges from fair to average; color issues are being reported on choice grades
• Florida volume is extremely low; expect day-by-day pallet volume only
• Prices will remain elevated over the next two weeks

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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