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UPDATE: CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRIES

September 17, 2025

The Santa Maria and Oxnard, California growing regions expect rain Thursday , September 18th. Shippers will be packing ahead of the rain to ensure better quality.

Santa Maria/Oxnard

  • Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available
  • Quality is good; occasional overripening and white shoulders are being reported
  • Average size on 8/1 clams has been 20-25
  • Warmer temperatures are expected to climb
  • Issues from the marine layer and temperatures, could show soft skin and bruising
  • Expect markets to continue to rise

Salinas/Watsonville

  • MFC Strawberries are available; quality and color are 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 have been in play; causing some soft skin and light mold
  • Warmer nights are also causing issues as far as the skin, not firming up
  • Crews are doing a good job of packing the best fruit available
  • Expect markets to slowly rise

Mexico/South Texas

  • New crop harvesting expected to start in mid-November
  • Product will be crossing into South Texas

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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