The California growing regions of Santa Maria, Salinas, and Watsonville experienced extreme heat over the weekend. The elevated temperatures have caused quality challenges and reduced yields. Harvesting has ended in Florida and Mexico.
Santa Maria, California
- Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available
- Growers in this region are experiencing unseasonably high temperatures
- Counts range from 12-16 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell; size is medium to medium-plus
- Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
- Quality is good; soft skin, decay, sunburn, and bruising are heat-related concerns
- Prices are rising
Oxnard, California
- MFC Strawberries are available
- Quality ranges from fair to good
- Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
- Counts range from 14-16 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell; size ranges from medium to medium-plus
- Defects are minimal; growers report some misshapen, bruised fruit from packing
- Markets will increase
Watsonville/Salinas
- Temperatures are higher than normal
- Counts range from 10-15 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell
- Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
- Volume will fall due to the excessive heat
- Soft skin, decay, sunburn, and bruising are heat-related concerns
- Markets will climb
Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.
©2026 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.