Excessive heat in California and along the East Coast is accelerating the maturity of bell pepper crops. Some growing regions are ahead of production schedules.

Red Bells

• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Red Bell Peppers are limited; packer label will be substituted as needed over the next week

• California is experiencing a heat wave (109F in the Imperial Valley) that will force an early end to the desert season
  • The San Joaquin Valley will begin very limited harvests this week; temperatures over 100F will assist in the fruit ripening process
  • Expect low California volume for the next week (until the San Joaquin/Bakersfield area is well established)

• Supplies are tight in Central Mexico (crossing in South Texas) this week
• Orange bell peppers may be substituted on a case-by-case basis
• Markets will remain elevated for another week, then start to ease

Green Bells

• MFC and ESS Green Bell Peppers are available

• California’s San Joaquin Valley is at peak production
  • Quality is excellent
  • Color is light green
• East Coast production is steady despite recent excessive heat in Georgia (95-100F)
  • Quality is average: sun scalding is being observed during the grading process
  • The Carolinas have started limited production; large sizes are most plentiful
  • Local summer programs (including Kentucky, Virginia, and New Jersey) will start in mid-July
• Markets should inch down slightly over the next two weeks

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

©2022 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.