Small-size California Valencia supplies (113- and 138-count oranges) remain limited. With many schools starting in the coming weeks, small sizes will become extremely scarce. Size, grade, and country of origin substitutions will be necessary to fill orders. The 165- through 200-count lemon market remains elevated due to low volume and strong demand.

Oranges

California Valencia

• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Valencia Oranges are available
• Supplies are dominated by large sizes (56- to 88-count); smaller sizes (113- to 138-count) are limited
• Expect 113- and 138-count oranges to become extremely scarce as more school systems open across North America
• Size, grade, and country of origin substitutions will be necessary to fill orders
• Expect steady yet elevated markets and extremely limited supplies of all small fruit through early October
• Initial reports project California Navels will begin shipping in mid- to late October

Import Navels

• Oranges are being imported into both the East and West Coasts

• Quality is great; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
• Small-size offshore fruit is an option to fill the void of domestic fruit

Lemons

Domestic

• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Lemons are available  
• Small sizes (165- through 235-count fruit) remain extremely limited
• Several days of excessive heat has caused quality concerns
• Quality is average at best; brown spotting, early decay, and scarring are being reported
• Elevated pricing is forecast for the next six weeks

Offshore

• Offshore fruit from Argentina and Chile will be shipped into North America through early December
• These shipments will help fill the demand not met by California lemons
• Size will be dominated by large lemons (95- through 140-count stocks); smaller sizes will be available as well
• Expect higher pricing compared to domestic and Mexican fruit due to high quality

Mexican

• Mexican shipments have started and will run through late November
• These supplies will help fill the demand not met by California lemons
• Size will be predominately 165- through 235-count fruit; larger sizes will be available
• Expect pricing to be comparable to domestic fruit until volume rises

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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