Asparagus

Prices are rising; Mexican jumbo and extra-large sizes are limited. The domestic asparagus season has begun; supplies will increase by mid-May.

Mexico

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Asparagus is available
• Jumbo and extra-large sizes are extremely limited
• Size is heavily skewed toward standard and large spears
• Baja production has started in a limited manner and will increase over the next several weeks; harvests in Central Mexico will follow by mid-May
• Demand is strong heading into Mother’s Day; supply relief and better quality are anticipated as new crop production increases over the next several weeks
• Expect limited availability of jumbo and extra-large sizes, as well as elevated prices, until mid-May

Peru

• Production is ongoing in both northern and southern regions
• Quality ranges from fair to good
  • Recent high heat has impacted quality
  • Feathered tips, dehydration, and flabby spears have been reported
• Weather is forecast to cool down over the next week, which should help quality
• Supplies remain tight due to strong demand and low Mexican volume

California/Michigan/Washington

• Domestic asparagus production is expected to increase through April and into May, which should relieve current market conditions
• California and Washington harvests are just getting started; recent colder weather in the Pacific Northwest has delayed some crops
• Limited harvesting has also begun in Michigan and Indiana, but most product is being sold locally
• Expect steady domestic supplies by the second week of May on both coasts, barring any weather disruptions

California Stone Fruit

Prices are elevated. Expect limited availability until volume ramps up in mid-May.

Peaches/Nectarines

• The California season will run through mid-September
• Limited quantities have begun shipping
• Quality is good
  • Sugar levels range between 11 and 13 Brix
  • Sweetness/flavor will peak in late June
• Expect elevated markets over the next three weeks; markets will ease thereafter

Plums

• The California season will run from early June to mid-October
• Limited supplies of imported fruit are being shipped
• Domestic fruit will begin shipping the week of June 18
• Expect elevated markets over the next four weeks, followed by better pricing

Cantaloupe and Honeydews

The offshore melon season is winding down.

Cantaloupe

Central America

• Offshore production is hitting its final peak and will wind down through May
• Sizing has been skewed larger, with a more balanced 9- to 12-count mix expected to develop
• Quality is excellent with strong eating characteristics
• Markets are firm as offshore supplies taper ahead of domestic start dates

Arizona-California Desert Region

• Domestic production is expected to begin by early to mid-May
• Favorable weather has pushed the start earlier than normal
• Early supplies will be dominated by 9-count fruit, with improved availability of 12-count stocks developing later in May
• Quality will start strong
• Domestic supplies should help stabilize prices by late May

Honeydew

Central America

• Supplies have increased as new production comes online
• The offshore season will wind down through May ahead of seasonal transitions
• Markets are trending lower as offshore and Mexican supplies are plentiful

Mexico

• Production will continue into June
• Supplies are increasing and will remain an important bridge as the offshore season ends
• Markets are easing as new crop supplies come online

Arizona-California Desert Region

• Domestic honeydew is expected to start shipping in mid-May
• Favorable weather has accelerated the production window
• Initial supplies will be dominated by five-count supplies, with stronger availability of both five- and six-count melons developing later in May
• Quality will start strong
• Gradual volume increases should provide additional relief

Carrots

West Coast carrot supplies remain tight as the Imperial Valley season winds down; overall size is smaller than normal for this time of year. Limited availability is expected through May as reduced size is lowering yields; commodity pack prices have increased as a result.

California

• Supplies will remain extremely tight through May as the Imperial Valley season winds down
• Expect increased supplies in mid-May, when the Bakersfield season kicks in
• Imperial Valley yields are tight due to reduced sizing
• California accounts for 80% of the nation’s carrot supply
• Markon orders will be shipped in full; growers are holding to six-week averages
• Expect a demand-exceeds-supply market; 96-hour lead times are necessary to help fill orders
• Commodity pack (jumbo carrot) substitutions are available out of Arizona and Georgia
• Elevated markets and limited supplies will persist through March

Georgia

• The season will run through early June
• Commodity supplies are tight; quality is very good
• Expect high prices as this region helps fill the void from California

Arizona

• The season is in full swing and will run through mid-June; quality is great
• Expect high prices and strong demand as this region helps fill the void from California

Mexico

• Inconsistent production has been an issue
• Expect moderately high pricing and strong demand until California production increases

Cherries

Cherry season has begun in North America. Supplies will ship from various regions over the next three to four months. Expect elevated early-season prices as weather-related issues have diminished supplies and reduced upcoming crops in major growing areas.

California

• The season has just started
• High temperatures and recent rainfall have lowered yields
• Initial crop estimates predict a 40% reduction in overall supply
• Expect elevated markets and an early end to the season in late May

Washington

• Heavy frost in late March will affect upcoming availability
  • This season typically begins in late May, but will be delayed until early June
  • Estimates indicate between 20%-70% crop loss depending on region
• Prices will start high due to minimal supplies
• The season will run through July

Michigan

• This season is expected to start the week of July 6
• Cooler weather is being mitigated by watering fields and using fans to keep frost damage to a minimum
• Markets will start off elevated but slowly decline as volume increases
• The season will run through August

Grapes

The Chilean/Peruvian offshore season will wrap up over the next four weeks. Grape shipments will transition to Mexican-grown product in mid- to late May. Expect pricing to increase as the offshore season winds down.

Offshore

• The Peruvian/Chilean green and red grape seasons will end in mid-May
• MFC Lunch Bunch Grapes will ship through mid-May, but resume with Mexican product in late May
• Although stocks will tighten and markets will rise, suppliers do not expect any supply gaps between the offshore and Mexican seasons

Mexico

• MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Grapes will be shipped out of Mexico in late May
• Commodity supplies of Mexican green and red grapes will enter the market in mid- to late May
• Mexican portioned grapes will become available in late May
• Expect elevated pricing as the season begins, then markets will gradually decrease

Limes

The lime market is inching down as supplies increase from Mexico. MFC and ESS Limes remain available.

Mexico (into South Texas)

• Size is skewed toward smaller fruit; 175-count and larger stocks are limited
• Excessive heat is expected in Mexico, which may stress the crop
• Quality remains strong with minimal oil spotting and skin breakdown
• The Cinco de Mayo holiday will spike demand this week

Colombia

• Supplies are ample across all sizes
• Quality is strong; juice content is higher than limes coming from Mexico
• Pricing is less reactive to demand or supply changes with some sizes now more expensive than Mexican limes

Hawaii

• Despite heavy rains in late winter, the crop remains in good shape
• Harvesting has been delayed due to excess moisture in fields
• Steady supplies are expected to resume shipping once clearance is granted to ship into the United States mainland
• Quality is very good; juice content is much higher than Mexican fruit

Red and Yellow Potatoes

MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available in Idaho and North Dakota. The North Dakota season is winding down earlier than expected due to exceptionally strong demand. Yellow potatoes are projected to finish by the end of April, with red potatoes following in mid-May. Higher prices are anticipated across all growing regions.

Idaho

• MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available
• Red storage supplies are ample, but yellow stocks are limited
• Overall quality is very good
  • Reds are exhibiting excellent skin color
  • Yellow potatoes are exhibiting late-season storage issues (pressure bruising and lenticels)
• Strong demand is pushing up prices

North Dakota

• MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available
• The red potato storage season will finish in mid-May
• Yellow potato shipments will end in late April
• Quality remains very good; reds are exhibiting dark color and minimal blemishes
• Strong East Coast demand is depleting storage supplies quickly
• The market is climbing

Colorado

• Large size A reds and yellows are abundant; B and C sizes are tight due to strong demand
• Quality is very good; red potato color is light pink
• Markets continue to rise for both red and yellow B and C sizes

Washington

• Red and yellow yields are average
• Late-season storage quality is fair, with reports of pressure bruising and lenticels
• Pricing is on the rise

Florida

• Supplies are limited statewide
• The Southern Florida season is expected to finish in mid-May
• Production in Northern Florida will start in two weeks
• Despite low volume, quality is very good
• Pricing is elevated across all colors and sizes; freeze damage has reduced availability

Upcoming regions

• The Arizona season will start in early May
• California production will begin in mid-May
• Texas supplies will start shipping in late June

Strawberries

Recent rain events have impacted key California growing regions, including Oxnard, Santa Maria, and Watsonville/Salinas. In advance of the storms, shippers harvested aggressively to protect quality and fulfill existing commitments. As of today, harvesting is suspended in Watsonville/Salinas, with limited production continuing in Santa Maria.

Santa Maria

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Berry size is medium, with smaller counts averaging 20–24 berries per 1‑lb clamshell
• Overall quality is good; some bruising and white shoulders have been reported
• Prices remain elevated due to limited supplies

Oxnard

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Berry size ranges from small to medium, with counts averaging 18–24 berries per 1‑lb clamshell
• Defects are minimal; some white shoulders and packing‑related bruising have been noted
• Markets are high; stocks are tight

Watsonville/Salinas

• Fruit size is large, averaging 10–15 berries per 1‑lb clamshell
• Quality ranges from fair to good; some lots are exhibiting light pin rot and minor water bruising
• Suppliers are actively assessing rain totals and potential damage, which may further impact availability and quality
• Prices remain elevated, with no short‑term relief expected until assessments are complete

Tomatoes

Tomato supplies remain extremely tight. Florida is transitioning between districts with limited harvest days, and Mexico crossings are very light. Recent freezing temperatures in Mexico is keeping availability critically low and markets elevated.

Rounds

• Florida

• • Ruskin/Palmetto shippers are starting very slowly; harvest days are sporadic to start the season
• Mexico
  • Freezing temperatures have impacted production
  • Crossings have been very limited the past two weeks; round availability is essentially nonexistent
  • Jalisco is expected to start rounds May 1 and Baja Mexico late next week
  • Volume is expected to remain very light thru mid-May

Romas

• Florida

• • Immokalee supplies are slowing down with limited first picks remaining; most growers will be on 2^nd and 3^rd picks next week
  • Supplies are very snug due to reduced yields and crop transition North

• Mexico

• • Crossings into the US have been very limited; recent arrivals have been fair quality at best
  • Jalisco is expected to start Romas next week
  • Baja Mexico is beginning in a light way; freeze impacts are expected to keep markets elevated through May (potentially into June)

Grape and Cherry

• Florida

• • Supplies are slowly improving
  • Markets are trending lower and are expected to continue to ease into May
• Mexico
  • Baja Mexico supplies are increasing in availability as the region was not impacted by the recent cold event

Summary

• Rounds remain critically short, driven by a Florida district transition and extremely limited Mexico crossings
• Markets remain elevated; meaningful availability is not expected until mid-May (potentially into June)
• Maintain order flexibility and rotate product quickly

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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