Baby Broccoli

Industry supplies have improved as new acreage enters first-cut production; however, sweet baby broccoli and broccolini supplies are experiencing increased insect activity. Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) 3/2lb Broccolini is available. Markon First Crop (MFC) Broccolini (18-count packs) is being substituted into packer brand as needed.

• Overall supplies have increased as new acres come into first-cut production
• Recent heat and humidity have accelerated insect activity across Central Coast growing regions, specifically the diamondback moth (DBM)

• A warm September forecast is expected to further increase DBM pressure
• Harvest and packing crews are implementing aggressive sorting practices to remove affected product whenever possible but some insect/larva presence may be unavoidable under current growing conditions
• Overall quality remains good, but DBM pressure may continue to challenge growers through the remainder of the Fall season

California Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons

As supplies tighten, prices will rise. MFC Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons are available.

Cantaloupe

San Joaquin Valley, California

• Last week’s cooler weather greatly reduced growth in some fields; while temperatures are expected to climb this week, the heat will be short-lived
• Insect and virus pressure are negatively impacting crops
• Large sizes, especially nine-count and jumbo nine-count melons, are snug this week; 15-count remains the tightest
• Quality is solid; sugar levels range from 12-15% Brix
• Markets will inch up over the next two weeks

Honeydew

San Joaquin Valley, California

• Volume has decreased due to recent cool weather
• Smaller sizes, eight-count in particular, are limited
• Quality is good, with clean external appearance and sugar levels ranging from 11-14% Brix
• Prices will continue to inch up, then stabilize in mid-Septembe

Cauliflower

Cauliflower prices continue to climb as supplies tighten and quality challenges persist. Elevated Diamondback moth (DBM) pressure, combined with recent heat and humidity, is reducing yields and impacting overall quality. Markon Essentials (ESS) Cauliflower is available.

• Salinas yields are expected to remain limited through next week

• DBM activity remains elevated
• Recent heat and moisture are expected to prolong and potentially worsen quality concerns
• Santa Maria growers report increasing insect pressure, intensified by warm weather; lower yields will push up markets
• Maine production is in full swing, providing additional regional supplements
• Eastern Canadian volume remains strong; harvesting will run into early October
• Expect cauliflower markets to remain firm and trend higher in the near term

Cilantro

Cilantro supplies are tightening as sustained heat across California growing regions continues to impact yields and product quality. Markets are rising as growers contend with lower-than-normal volume. Seasonal rains in Central Mexico are contributing to the shortages, creating shelf-life concerns and sporadic quality defects on imported product.

• RSS Cilantro is available (100% Grown in the USA); packer label is being substituted when necessary
• Above-normal temperatures throughout Salinas, Santa Maria, and Oxnard are contributing to lighter harvests and declining field quality
• Heat-related quality concerns include:
  • Bolting and seeder development
  • Yellowing and discoloration
  • Premature decay and shortened shelf life
• Overall quality ranges from fair to good, but field variability is increasing
• Expect rising prices and intermittent quality challenges to persist through the near term as heat stress continues to pressure production and overall availability

Green Onions

Green onion prices remain elevated as persistent heat and border issues impact production in the Mexicali growing region of Mexico. RSS Green Onions are available; packer label is being substituted as needed.

• Prolonged high temperatures throughout the Mexicali growing region have accelerated crop maturity and reduced yields
• Heat stress has accelerated younger plantings, creating concerns around future production gaps and reduced supply continuity
• Overall quality is good; however, potential heat-related problems may include:
  • Dehydration
  • Discoloration
  • Early decay
  • Tip burn
• Supplies are currently adequate, but availability will tighten as harvest challenges persist
• Expect continued upward pricing pressure through September as heat and supply constraints impact overall production

Oranges

The California Valencia crop remains heavily weighted toward larger sizes (56- through 88-count fruit), while availability of smaller sizes (113- through 138-count oranges) continues to tighten. Quality is the primary concern in the orange category, with imported fruit consistently demonstrating significantly better overall quality compared to domestic supplies.

Domestic

• MFC and ESS Valencia Oranges are available
• Supplies are dominated by large sizes (56- to 88-count pieces); smaller sizes (113 to 138-count oranges) continue to be extremely tight
• Expect 113- and 138-count oranges to remain scarce through October; size, grade, and country of origin substitutions will be needed to fill orders
• Early signs of decay, puffing/creasing, and overmaturity are being driven by previous wet weather conditions; fruit may appear sound at packing but can begin breaking down days later
• Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Expect elevated markets and limited supplies of all small fruit through early October

Imports

• Chilean, South African, and Peruvian oranges are being imported into both the East and West Coasts
• Expect 15kg 105-count to 113-count oranges to remain in tight supply for the balance of the season as the crop continues to size up, resulting in more large fruit
• Quality is great
  • Color is deep orange
  • Skin texture is smooth
  • Sugar levels range from 12-13% Brix
• Expect elevated markets for small-size oranges as supplies diminish

Red and Yellow Potatoes

MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available in Idaho, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Volume is steady with multiple growing regions now in play, and more to start over the next several weeks. Markets are steady.

Idaho

• MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available
• New crop supplies are dominated by A-sizes; B-sizes are available with limited supplies of C-sizes
• Quality is very good
• Harvests will finish in late September when growers transition to storage potatoes

Wisconsin

• MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available
• A-size potatoes continue to dominate supplies; B-sizes are somewhat limited
• Quality and color is excellent
• Harvests will finish in late September to early October before transitioning to storage supplies

Minnesota

• MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available
• Suppliers report adequate volume on all sizes for both colors
• Quality and color are excellent
• Supplies will ship until the first week or two of October

Washington

• Production of new crop red and yellow potatoes is ramping up
• Size is leaning heavily towards larger A-sizes to start the season
• Quality and color are good

Colorado

• Colorado white and yellow potato harvests have started; reds will start in mid- to late September
• Supplies are dominated by A-sizes, with some B-sizes also available
• Quality is good; color is somewhat light compared to other regions

Canada

• Canadian-grown yellow and white potato harvests are underway; reds will begin in two to three weeks
• Supplies are dominated by A-sizes, with some B-sizes
• Quality and color are excellent

North Dakota

• Harvests will begin in early October

Squash

West Coast squash supplies remain tight. Eastern production is increasing in North Carolina and Georgia; expect better availability in 10 to 14 days. MFC Zucchini and Yellow Squash are available.

East Coast   

• Yellow Squash
  • Additional volume is expected over the next 10 to 14 days
  • Growers are transitioning to new fields in North Carolina and Georgia, increasing yields
  • Quality is good
  • Prices are easing
• Zucchini
  • Supplies are becoming more plentiful
  • Quality is good
  • Markets are softening

Midwest

• Yellow Squash
  • Stocks are tighter than zucchini
  • Quality is good
  • Prices are active due to strong demand
• Zucchini
  • Supplies are more abundant
  • Quality is good
  • Markets are inching down

West Coast

• Zucchini and Yellow Squash
  • Expect low volume through September
  • Overall quality is good with some light scarring
• California’s San Joaquin Valley will start harvesting new-crop fall sets of both zucchini and yellow squash this week
• Expect prices to ease slightly over the next two weeks

Tomatoes

East Coast tomato production is increasing as Virginia harvests begin this week. Overall supply is moderate; growers are shifting from summer to fall growing regions during the month of September.

Rounds

• East Coast and Midwest
  • Virginia harvests are getting underway this week
  • Tennessee production continues
  • Michigan volume is increasing as the area is seeing ideal weather
  • Quality is good
• Mexico
  • Production is moderate/steady out of Baja and Central Mexico
  • 6×7 is the most plentiful size
  • Quality is good
• California
  • Growers are transitioning from summer to autumn acreage
  • Quality is good  despite recent heat
• Markets are inching up due to lower total volume

Romas

• East Coast
  • Supplies are sufficient in Tennessee
  • Overall quality is good
• Mexico
  • Volume has dipped due to recent rains in Central Mexico and Baja
  • Quality is best out of Baja region
• California
  • Roma supplies are lower; recent heat is affecting yields
  • Large sizes are the most abundant
  • Quality is good
• Prices are up slightly due to lower yields

Grape and Cherry

• East Coast
  • Volume is increasing in Virginia
  • Expect prices to remain steady for the next few weeks
• Mexico
  • Overall production is light due to recent rains in Baja and Central Mexico
  • Quality out of Central Mexico ranges from fair to average due to poor weather

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

©2026 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.