Avocados

Mexico avocados are tightening in anticipation of labor shortages brought on by Holy Week. The California season has ramped up; pricing is comparable to Mexico.

Mexico

• Supplies are forecast to decline due to reduced harvesting during Holy Week (April 13 through April 20)
• Yields are dominated by medium sizes (60- through 70-count fruit)
• Size and grade substitutions may be requested to fill orders
• Quality is good; checkerboarding (uneven ripening within a case) has been reported
• Expect elevated markets heading into the Cinco De Mayo Holiday

California

• Harvesting has increased
• California supplies will help fill the void from Mexican-grown stocks
• Stocks are dominated by medium sizes (48- through 60-count fruit)
• Quality is good; firm fruit has been reported even when ripe
• Expect high prices; demand is strong due to Mexican shortages

Colombia

• Imports will ship into the East Coast through May; these supplies only account for 5% of U.S. demand
• Expect decreasing supplies over the next two weeks as growers transition to new crop fruit
• The crop is currently dominated by small sizes (60- to 84-count fruit)
• Quality is comparable to that in Mexico; texture is creamy and oil content is high

Brussels Sprouts

Markets are escalating due to strong demand and limited supplies across multiple growing regions. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are available.

• High temperatures in Mexico, along with shifting growing regions, are limiting harvests and pushing markets upwards
• Supplies are extremely limited in Salinas and Santa Maria, California
• Most supplies are coming out of Mexico at this time; labor is tight this week due to Holy Week and Easter, further affecting harvests
• The Oxnard, California season will begin at the end of the month, alleviating strong demand
• Quality is good; jumbo sprouts are extremely limited due to strong demand for mediums
• Expect elevated pricing for the next 7-10 days, with some relief at the end of the month as the Oxnard season ramps up

Cauliflower

Markets are elevated amid tight supplies and strong demand. Markon Essentials (ESS) Cauliflower is available; packer label is being substituted as needed.  

• Overall supplies are limited as the desert season has ended and production in Salinas is just getting started
• Demand is strong, further adding strain to already tight markets
• Salinas Valley volume is increasing
  • Overall quality is good
  • Lower temperatures and a persistent marine layer over the valley have slowed growth and caused sporadic dark spotting
• Yields are light in Santa Maria, California, but prices are a bit lower
  • Quality is good
  • Occasionally heads are displaying off-white color
• Strong pricing will persist through this week, then ease in the middle of next week as supplies increase

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuce

Iceberg markets are inching up. Supplies are tighter than in prior weeks and field weights are lower following the harvesting transition from the Arizona-California desert region to the Santa Maria and Salinas Valleys. Green leaf and romaine markets are steady to slightly higher.

• MFC Premium Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine are available; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed due to low weights
• Production is winding down in Huron, California; final iceberg harvests will take place the week of April 20
• Iceberg and romaine production will continue in Oxnard through early May
• The Salinas and Santa Maria seasons are ramping up
  • Many initial fields are uneven in size and density due to inconsistent growing conditions
  • Weights are increasing week to week
• Mexican-grown iceberg and romaine are also available, loading in South Texas year-round; peak production will continue through May

Mixed Berries

Blueberry markets are rising. Prices for raspberries and blackberries are steady.

Blueberries

• The Chilean season has ended
• Mexican production has passed the seasonal peak
  • Size is consistent
  • Quality is good
• New crop harvesting is expected to begin April 21-28 in California’s San Joaquin Valley
• Blueberries are available in Florida
  • Size is uniform
  • Quality is very good
• Expect markets to climb

Blackberries

• Mexican yields are adequate
• Pruning has caused a spike in the market
• Demand is steady
• Quality is good; light red cells have been reported
• New crop harvesting is expected to begin June 1 in California’s Watsonville/Salinas region

Raspberries

• Medium-sized berries dominate availability

• Quality is good; lighter color and small size have been reported
• New crop harvesting is expected to begin June 1 in California’s Watsonville/Salinas region
• Expect markets to remain level

Oranges

The California Navel season has moved past its peak and is expected to wrap up in June. Markets will inch up through the rest of the season. The Florida season is expected to end the week of April 21.

California

• MFC and ESS Navel Oranges are available
• Overall supplies should remain sufficient through the Navel season but steadily decline
• Navel quality is great; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
• The Valencia season will start in late in May
• The Navel market is expected to rise as supplies tighten over the next four weeks

Mexico

• Mexican imports (crossing into Nogales, Arizona) are available
• Quality is very good; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
• Prices will be comparable to those in Florida and California

Florida

• Supplies are currently dominated by 80- to 100-count and larger packs
• The Valencia variety is currently available
• Quality is average
  • Growers are battling regreening
  • The season will end the week of April 21
• Expect elevated prices and limited stocks

Tomatoes

The spring crop has good supply and quality from Sinaloa, Mexico and Central Florida. MFC Tomatoes are available.

Round

• Supplies continue to increase in Florida as the Palmetto/Ruskin areas begin; Immokalee is currently in crown pick fruit
• Mexico supply has improved with new spring crops in the Sinaloa region
• • Quality is nice and all sizes are available
  • Central Mexico and Baja regions will start spring crops in late April
• Markets are down and expected to remain low

Roma

• East Coast supplies are increasing
• Mexico’s Sinaloa region has strong volumes out of their new spring crop
• Quality is good
• Central Mexico will begin harvesting spring crops in late April
• Markets are down and expected to remain low

Grape & Cherry Varieties

• Florida volume is low but expected to rise through April
• The Sinaloa region is past peak production; supply will slow over the next month
• Supplies will increase in Central Mexico and Baja over the next two weeks
• Expect slightly lower prices over the next two weeks

Watermelon

Florida has started harvesting watermelon as East Coast production begins.

• Florida started production last week
• Quality to start the season has been great; all sizes are available
• Markets are on a steady decline as Florida ramps up production

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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