Avocados

Disruptions to harvesting activity in Michoacán, Mexico over the past two weeks have significantly tightened U.S. avocado supplies and driven markets higher. While industry leaders and grower groups have reached an agreement that could allow harvesting to resume on November 5, the restart remains subject to confirmation and the level of grower participation is still unknown. Inventories have declined steadily throughout the disruption, and supply chains will require time to recover even after harvesting resumes.

Supply

• Harvesting in Michoacán has remained largely suspended since late October, while Jalisco has continued harvesting at reduced volumes that are insufficient to offset lost production
• According to APEAM, harvesting is expected to resume on Thursday, November 5, although actual harvested yields and participation levels remain uncertain
• Even after harvesting resumes, several days will be required for product to move through harvesting, packing, transportation, ripening, and distribution channels before supplies begin to recover

Pricing

• Markets remain elevated due to declining inventories, limited harvest activity, and significantly higher field prices in Mexico
• Industry field costs increased approximately 71.5% during the disruption period
• Pricing is expected to remain firm in the near term, even if harvesting resumes, as supply pipelines will take time to rebuild
• Any meaningful market correction will depend on sustained harvest volumes and inventory recovery

Markon Recommendation

• Maintaining flexibility is suggested on avocado sizing and specifications
• Members should place orders as far in advance as possible, particularly for ripened fruit programs, as supply remains constrained and inventories are well below normal levels
• Expect continued supply pressure and elevated pricing until harvesting activity normalizes and inventories throughout the supply chain are replenished

Bell Peppers

The East Coast bell pepper market is rising due to tight supplies in South Georgia, as well as recent rainfall in Central and South Florida that delayed production. In the West, green bell supplies have increased; however, red bells are snug as growers transition to California’s Coachella region. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

• California volume is increasing in Coachella, California
  • All sizes are available
  • Quality is excellent
  • Expect markets to ease over the next few weeks
• Western Mexico is expected to start harvesting in mid-November
• Recent rainfall in Florida and Georgia has reduced supplies across the East Coast
  • The East Coast bell pepper market continues to strengthen and is expected to remain elevated over the next several weeks
  • Availability is limited
  • Quality ranges from fair to good

Red Bells

• California supplies are snug as transitions will occur over the next two weeks from coastal regions to Coachella
• Stocks are tight in Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas)
• Canadian greenhouse production is inconsistent due to fewer daylight hours and cloudy weather
• Expect higher prices over the next two weeks

Cantaloupe & Honeydew Melons

Melon markets are climbing as domestic production winds down. MFC Cantaloupe and Honeydew are available.

Cantaloupe

Arizona Desert Region

• Production is underway, but yields are lower than California summer supplies
• Recent rain in the Yuma area has delayed harvesting this week
• Size is focused on 9- and 12-count fruit; jumbo 9-count melons are extremely limited
• Quality is good, but mud and bruising have been reported
• Volume will decline over the next two to three weeks as the season winds down
• Expect markets to rise through the end of the month

Mexico

• The season has begun in a limited manner
• Minor mud spots and occasional bruising are being reported
• While Markon is not buying any Mexican cantaloupes, markets are comparable to domestic fruit
• Cantaloupe presents unique food safety and traceability challenges that, combined with past concerns involving Mexican-grown product, have led Markon to place a hold on sourcing cantaloupes from this region

Central American Imports

• The first shipments of import melons are on track to arrive into U.S. ports over the next few weeks
• Initial volume will be low

Honeydew

Arizona Desert Region

• Supplies are steady, but the seasonal decline will begin over the next three to four weeks
• Harvesting was briefly delayed by rain this past weekend
• Jumbo-size fruit is most common, but five- through eight-count supplies are increasing
• Wind scarring is being reported, but internal quality has been solid
• Markets will stay steady for the next two to three weeks

Mexico

• Supplies are slowly ramping up
• Size variance is more mixed than domestic product
• Quality is solid despite rain
• Prices are lower than those for domestic fruit

Cauliflower

Cauliflower markets continue to climb. Extremely limited supplies are forecast for the next several weeks. ESS Cauliflower is available.

• California volume is low due to recent rainfall, quality challenges, and depleted late-season acreage

• Diamondback moth (DBM) pressure remains elevated across growing regions
• Discoloration and other quality defects continue to impact overall yields and packouts
• Recent heat and moisture have extended quality concerns and reduced harvest efficiencies

• The Arizona-California desert transition is scheduled to begin the week of November 9
• Desert production will increase gradually through mid- to late November, providing only limited near-term relief
• As demand exceeds available supply, markets will rise further over the next two to three weeks

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Iceberg and romaine supplies have increased; yields from Huron, Oxnard, Las Cruces, and Yuma are covering the shortages in Salinas and Santa Maria. Green leaf remains limited, but will increase soon as production from Huron and Yuma offsets the shortages in Salinas. MFC Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces are available in Salinas, California; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed due to low weights.

Salinas/Santa Maria, California

• Quality ranges from fair to good; insect pressure, internal burn, mildew, and seeder are being found in many lots
• Disease pressure, including INSV and Sclerotinia, persists; percentages of impacted heads vary from lot to lot
• Salinas Valley yields are low
• Iceberg and romaine prices are falling
• Green leaf markets will remain strong until the desert season ramps up in mid-November

Huron, California

• Iceberg, romaine, and romaine heart quality is very good; head weights range from 38 to 42 pounds
• Markets are easing

Mexico (crossing into Texas)

• Iceberg production continues year-round
• Prices are inching down
• Quality is very good; head weights range from 28 to 32 pounds

New Mexico

• The iceberg market is falling
  • Quality is very good
  • Weights are in the high 30s
• Early season rains wiped out 10-15% of total plantings; romaine is expected to be the most limited lettuce this fall season (through late November)

South Carolina

• Production will begin in the next two to three weeks

Heavy Rain in Florida

Central and South Florida received heavy rain over the weekend, impacting harvesting and crop yields.

• Okeechobee received 10-12 inches of flooding rain over the weekend
  • Heavy crop loss is expected in this region
  • Fields are flooded
  • Growers are assessing damage to bell pepper, bean, Corn, cucumber, iceberg, and radish fields
• Belle Glade received four to five inches of rain
  • Some bean, corn, and radish crop loss is expected in this region, but overall the impact should be minimal
• LaBelle and Immokalee received three to five inches of rain
  • No major impact is expected to bell pepper, chile pepper, cucumber, or squash crops
• Markon will continue to monitor and update with information as it’s received

Seedless Lemons

California seedless lemons have begun shipping this week.

• External color, size, and taste mirror seeded lemons
• Prices are high; supplies are tight, but expected to increase week over week
• Quality is excellent

California’s Santa Maria and Oxnard growing regions received more rain over the weekend, creating additional challenges for growers. While rainfall totals were relatively low, fields continue to experience the cumulative effects of recent heat events and rain, resulting in limited availability.

Orders scheduled to pack and ship today, November 2, and Tuesday, November 3, will be extremely limited. California growers will only meet approximately 50% of demand due to ongoing quality challenges. All berries harvested will have a reduced shelf life due to these issues.

Mexico’s strawberry season has begun; however, production is not expected to reach full volume until late November or early December. Markon is shifting member orders to Mexico over the next two weeks as yields permit.

Weekend Rainfall Totals

• Oxnard: 0.72 inches
• Santa Maria: 0.17 inches

Strawberries

Although rainfall amounts were modest, the combination of recent heat and wet weather has left fields struggling to produce sufficient supplies.

• Strawberry availability will remain extremely low throughout this week
• Shortages, delays, and harvest cancellations are expected
• Markets will remain active, as demand will far exceed available supplies
• The long-term weather forecast indicates another storm may move into California’s Central Coast late this week

Tomatoes

Tomato supplies are increasing on the East Coast. Florida growers have begun harvesting in the Palmetto/Ruskin. West Coast supplies remain snug, especially round and grape tomatoes.

Rounds

• California production has ended
• East Coast harvesting is increasing in Palmetto/Ruskin, Florida; volume remains low but will increase over the next two weeks
• Mexican production is limited in Baja and Central Mexico due to past weather events; new crop harvesting will start in Central Mexico by mid-November
• Markets will start to ease at that stage

Romas

• California is harvesting the last of the small-size fruit this week as this season comes to an end
• East Coast production is increasing in Florida
• Mexican volume is low in Baja and Central Mexico due to past storms
• Markets will start to ease over the next two weeks

Grape and Cherry

• Palmetto/Ruskin production is increasing in Florida
• Baja and Central Mexico availability remains extremely low
  • Quality is fair
  • Splits and shriveling are concerns during grading
• Expect prices to ease over the next few weeks

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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