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UPDATE: STRAWBERRIES

April 6, 2026

California’s key strawberry growing regions—Santa Maria, Oxnard, Salinas, and Watsonville will receive light to moderate showers, Thursday, April 9 through Sunday, April 12. To ensure orders are filled, growers will pack ahead in anticipation of these weather conditions.

Santa Maria, California 

  • Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available
  • Berry size is medium; counts have gotten smaller, averaging 18 to 22 pieces per 1-pound clamshell
  • Quality is good; issues include bruising and white shoulders
  • Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
  • Expect strong demand and elevated markets through next week

Oxnard, California

  • MFC Strawberries are available
  • Berry size is medium; counts have gotten smaller, averaging 18 to 22 pieces per 1-pound clamshell
  • Defects are minimal; growers report some white shoulders and packing-related bruising
  • Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
  • Expect strong demand and elevated markets through next week

Watsonville/Salinas

  • MFC Strawberries will start shipping the week of April 12 
  • Berry size is large; counts range from 10-15 berries per 1-pound clamshell
  • Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
  • Expect strong demand and high prices through the next two weeks

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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