Demand exceeds supply in all California growing regions due to recent and forecast rain. Florida volume is rising as strawberry plants recover from last week’s cold temperatures. Mexican stocks are helping to fill shortages from California and Florida, but growers estimate a drop in harvestable volume due to upcoming cool weather.

Oxnard, California

• Harvesting has been cancelled today, January 3
• Growers will be relying on transfers of Mexican-grown fruit to supplement California shipments through mid-January
• Quality continues to be a challenge; concerns include excessive bruising and pin-rot
• The industry is in a demand-exceeds-supply situation

Santa Maria, California

• Rain is expected to end the Santa Maria growing season this week
• New crop fruit will enter the market in late January/early February

Florida

• Markon First Crop Strawberries are available  
• Multiple rain events are forecast over the next two to three days; harvesting delays are expected

• Quality is good; issues include white shoulders and occasional over ripening
• Packer label will be substituted as needed; plastic clamshells will be substituted for corrugated packs
• Expect to see markets slowly increase as this region will help fill California shortages

Central Mexico (Loading in South Texas)

• All Markon DCs are advised to load out of South Texas due to supplies and quality
• Volume will be down through next week due to lower temperatures
• Quality is good; issues include white shoulders and occasional over ripening
• Expect to see pricing increase as Mexico fills shortages from California and Florida

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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