Following a period of mild temperatures, a warming trend is forecast from October 2 through October 8, with daytime highs expected to reach the 80s across key growing regions. The prolonged heat is anticipated to accelerate fruit maturity and increase quality concerns, including overripening, bruising, and misshapen fruit, which may impact pack-outs, shelf life, and overall fruit quality moving into the following week.
Watsonville/Salinas
- Size is medium; counts range from 24-28 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell
- Quality is fair; pin rot, odd shape, bruising, and soft skin have been called out
- Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
- Expect the heat to increase prices
Santa Maria, California
- Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available
- Size is medium; 20-24 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell
- Quality ranges from fair to good; light bruising and odd shape are possible issues
- Volume levels have increased
- Expect prices to climb
Oxnard, California
- MFC Strawberries are available
- Size is medium; 21-24 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell
- Quality is good; white shoulders and light bruising have been reported
- Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
- Expect the upcoming heat to increase markets
Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.
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