Warm weather is forecast in the Watsonville/Salinas growing region as well as Santa Maria on June 4 and 5. The heat won’t negatively affect fruit, rather it will increase sugar levels, sweetening berries.

Santa Maria, California

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available
• Temperatures must be sustained above 80 degrees up to 4 hours, for 4 days in a row to allow the berries to start exhibiting heat damage
• Quality is good
• Size ranges from 17 to 21 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell

• Limited overripening and light bruising are being reported
• Expect markets to remain steady

Salinas/Watsonville, California

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Temperatures must be sustained above 80 degrees up to 4 hours, for 4 days in a row to allow the berries to start exhibiting heat damage

• Size ranges from 13 to 15 berries per 8/1-pound pack and 27 to 32 berries per 4/2-pound carton
• Quality is good; expect full color and sweet flavor

• Size is medium
• Expect markets to remain steady

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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