Asparagus

Prices are decreasing across multiple regions; large- and jumbo-sized supplies are increasing.

Mexico

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Asparagus is available out of Baja, Mexico
• Baja will be the primary growing region through early October; expect high quality with minimal defects
• Harvesting will begin in Sonora in late September
• Expect prices to inch down as yields increase in new growing regions

Peru

• East Coast availability has improved
• Imported supplies are being shipped into U.S. ports
• The crop is skewed towards small sizes, but the availability of large sizes will expand as new fields mature
• Quality is very good; spears have firm tips and minimal spreading/seeding

Bell Peppers

Red bell pepper markets are inching down due to increased supplies. East Coast green bells will start transitioning south over the next two weeks. MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Red Bells

• California’s coastal regions will have an abundant supply over the next two weeks
  • The Oxnard/Somis region is expecting rain over the next two days; growers will increase production today to cover weekend demand
  • All sizes are available
  • Quality is very good
• Volume has increased in Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas)
• Canadian greenhouses have low to steady volume; however, cooler weather and reduced autumn daylight will slow yields
• Expect much lower prices over the next two weeks

Green Bells

• Harvesting is steady in the Midwest regions of Michigan and Ohio
• Northeastern production is consistent; all sizes are available
• North Carolina volume is low
• The Georgia season will start in October
• California’s coastal supply remains steady; choice-grade stocks are most abundant
• Volume is steady in Central Mexico
• Expect slightly higher prices over the next two weeks due to East Coast transitions

Broccoli

Prices have peaked; increased supplies are alleviating the market slightly, but quality will remain a concern through the end of the season.

California

• Markon Best Available (MBA) Broccoli is being harvested in California’s Salinas Valley
• Supplies are increasing in Monterey County (Salinas Valley) and Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria Valley and Lompoc Valley)
• Demand has strengthened on the West Coast as summertime deals across the East Coast and Canada come to an end
• Quality ranges from fair to good; pin rot, yellow/brown bead, and branchy structures are being noted
• Insect pressure, from Diamondback moth pupa/larvae and aphids, remains an obstinate challenge and is expected to persist through the end of season
• Regional harvests are winding down, pushing demand to the West Coast and further limiting supplies
• Expect prices to ease within the next 10-14 days as supplies ramp up to meet fall demand

Mexico

• Mexican-grown MBA Broccoli continues to ship into South Texas
• Supplies are adequate for the softened demand
• High temperatures and persistent rainfall continue to affect quality; these weather conditions will persist through the late fall
• Quality is fair; defects such as cat eye, hollow core, browning, and insect activity are present
• Expect relief in November as improved weather conditions will lead to stronger quality

East Coast/Midwest/Canada

• Summertime deals out of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Eastern Canada are winding down

• Maine will reach peak production this month; supplies will wind down through late October and early November
• Indiana supplies will supplement lighter volumes in early October
• Growers in Georgia and Florida will begin harvesting in the late fall/early winter to offset the end of the Maine season
• Expect strong supplies and softened prices through September

California Strawberries

The Santa Maria and Oxnard, California growing regions expect rain on Wednesday, September 17. Suppliers will pack ahead of the rain to ensure better quality.

Santa Maria/Oxnard

• MFC Strawberries are available

• Quality is good; occasional overripening and white shoulders are being reported

• Average size ranges from 20 to 25 berries in 8/1-pound packs

• Temperatures are expected to climb
• Soft skin and bruising may develop due to a heavy marine layer and heat
• Expect markets to continue climbing

Salinas/Watsonville

• MFC Strawberries are available; quality is good

• Size is currently 16 to 25 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell and 37 to 44 in 4/2-pound packs (medium to medium/large)
• Some bruising, white shoulders, and light mildew are being reported

• Foggy mornings are causing some soft skin and light mold
• Warmer nights are also causing issues
• Crews are packing the best fruit available

• Expect markets to slowly rise

Mexico/South Texas

• New crop harvesting is expected to start in mid-November
• Supplies will be shipped into South Texas

Cauliflower

Markets are steady amid multiple growing regions in play, but poised to rise in mid-September. ESS Cauliflower is available.

Salinas and Santa Maria, California

• Supplies are adequate but will tighten as West Coast demand strengthens
• 12-count heads are readily available; 9-count stocks are limited
• Quality is fairly good; brown bead and mildew are potential issues due to the weather
• Diamondback moth presence and insect damage are being noted in several lots
• High temperatures coupled with potential rain this week are expected to push markets slightly higher in the next 7-10 days

East Coast/Midwest/Canada

• Maine will reach peak production this month
  • The season will slowly wind down through late October/early November
  • Quality is strong; weather is ideal for growth
• Several summertime deals are winding down on the East Coast and in Eastern Canada
• Supplies in North Carolina, New York, and Indiana will ramp up in October
• Production in Georgia and Florida will begin in the late fall/early winter
• Expect sufficient supplies and softer prices through September

Celery

Celery markets continue to inch up amid lower supplies.

• MFC Celery is available
• Overall quality is very good; pith is an occasional issue
• After an extended period of ample supplies during most of the Salinas Valley season, current volume has fallen
  • Some growers reduced plantings for the end of the season
  • Salinas production will continue through November
• The Michigan season is winding down; stocks will be depleted by mid-October
• California’s Oxnard season will start in mid-November
• Growers will begin production in Belle Glade, Florida, Coachella, California, and Yuma, Arizona in December
• Santa Maria fields are harvested year-round
• Moderately elevated markets are anticipated until the Oxnard season starts in mid-November

Citrus

Small-sized oranges (113- through 138-count fruit) remain limited due to scarce supplies and strong demand. Prices for small lemons are elevated due to tight stocks and strong demand. Suppliers are holding to six-week averages for both oranges and lemons.

Oranges

• MFC and ESS Valencia Oranges are available
• Overall supplies will be limited during the first two weeks of October
• Small-sized oranges (113- through 138-count fruit) are extremely tight
• Size and grade substitutions may be needed to fill orders
• New crop California Navels will begin shipping in late October
• Expect increasing markets and scarce supplies through mid-October

Lemons

• MFC and ESS Lemons are available  
• Small-sized lemons (165- through 235-count supplies) remain limited
• Size and/or country of origin changes may be needed to help fill orders
• Offshore and Mexican stocks continue to help fill shortages on the West Coast
• New crop California lemons will begin shipping in mid-October
• Expect tight stocks and elevated markets through mid-October

Cilantro

Cilantro markets are inching up as West Coast growers monitor elevated heat and insect pressure.

• Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Cilantro is available
• Recent high temperatures and humidity have resulted in elevated insect pressure in Oxnard and Salinas, California
• Quality ranges from fair to good; some lots have experienced minor heat stress, which is reducing shelf-life
• Markets are anticipated to move moderately higher as rain and humidity are forecast for the Central Coast through this weekend

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Green leaf, iceberg, and romaine prices continue to decline amid weak demand and abundant supplies. Markets are low.

• MFC Premium Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces are available; MBA is being subbed sporadically when weights don’t meet specifications
• Overall quality is good
  • Fluctuating densities, insect pressure, mildew, and seeder are being reported, but avoided or mitigated at harvest
  • Disease pressure continues to reduce yields, but the overall impact to supply levels is minimal
• Light rain is forecast through the end of the week; 0.04” to 0.08” per day is expected per day
  • Markon is working with grower-shippers to harvest ahead of the rain daily to ensure coverage
  • Any harvests completed during the rain will be covered to maintain dry and sound cartons
• Expect lower markets through the balance of this week; prices may inch up next week if quality issues increase following rain

Mixed Berries

Peruvian blueberry stocks are arriving steadily, with no quality issues. The Pacific Northwest season has passed its peak.

Blackberries

• Mexican supplies have begun to rebound from recent humidity
  • Quality is improving; the rainy season is coming to an end
  • Heat-related issues are still present from past weather patterns

• Watsonville’s quality has been outstanding
• Expect markets to remain steady

Blueberries

• The Mexican season has been slowed by rains and cooler weather
• PNW is also past its peak and will be ending in a few weeks
• Peruvian shipments are now arriving, bridging this gap
• Expect markets to remain steady

Raspberries

• Mexican supplies have begun to rebound from recent weather issues
• California’s Santa Maria and Watsonville growing regions are  shipping excellent-quality fruit
• Mexico’s Baja season is underway; quality is very good
• Expect markets to remain steady

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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