Temperatures in the Santa Maria, Salinas, and Watsonville growing regions are experiencing temperatures 20 degrees higher than normal. Such significant heat events are unusual for this time of the year. Oxnard temperatures are 15 degrees lower.

Santa Maria, California 

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available
• Counts range from 12-16 per 8/1-pound clamshell
• Growers in this region are experiencing unseasonably high temperatures
• Quality concerns from the heat will include soft skin, decay, sunburn, and bruising
• Volume will fall
• Markets will climb for the next three weeks

Oxnard, California

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Quality is very good
• Counts range from 14-16 per 8/1-pound clamshell; berry size ranges from medium to medium-plus
• Defects are minimal; growers report some misshapen, bruised fruit from packing
• Prices will rise for the next three weeks

Watsonville/Salinas

• Temperatures are higher than normal
• Counts range from 10-15 per 8/1-pound clamshell
• Volume will fall due to the excessive heat
• Quality concerns from the heat will include soft skin, decay, sunburn, and bruising
• Expect increasing markets through the next three weeks

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

©2026 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.