Bell Peppers

Green bell pepper harvests have started in California’s Imperial Valley; quality is excellent. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

• California’s Imperial Valley started limited harvesting this week
  • Jumbo and extra-large peppers dominate shipments
  • Quality is excellent; strong pepper walls are being reported
  • Production is expected to increase in early May
• Mexico is harvesting older fields
  • Quality is fair; thin pepper walls are prevalent
  • Small, medium, and choice grades are most common
• The South Florida season is coming to an end while Central and Northern Florida will harvest for a few more weeks
• Georgia production is expected to start in the next two weeks
• A two-tiered market exists in the West with new crop California fruit demanding premium prices

Red Bells

• Mexican volume is steady
  • Quality is mixed
  • All sizes are available
• The California desert season will start in late May, weather permitting
• Canadian greenhouse production is underway; large sizes are ample
• Expect prices to increase in May as overall volume falls

Blueberries

Blueberry supplies are extremely limited; the California and Georgia seasons are off to slow starts. Expect elevated prices and low volume for the next three weeks.

• The Mexican season is past its peak; production is rapidly decreasing, and is expected to end in late May
• The Georgia season has been delayed up to two weeks due to unseasonably cool weather
• Florida volume is down 40% compared to this time last year
• California’s San Joaquin Valley season is expected to start the week of May 5
• Demand far exceeds supply; the industry will remain in a production gap for the next three weeks
• Expect high markets and pro-rated orders for the next three weeks

Chile Peppers

Expect elevated prices for the next three weeks.

Mexico

• Mexican growers are transitioning from Tamaulipas into Aguascalientes, Baja California, and Cadereyta, contributing to supply volatility
• Reduced harvests during the Easter holiday led to tighter short-term supplies and reduced availability out of Nogales, Arizona, and South Texas
• No. 2-grade product is limited; suppliers are running lower volume and producing fewer culls

East Coast

• Growers are shipping out of Central Florida
• The Georgia season will begin in mid-May

Cucumbers

Cucumber supplies are adequate in Mexico. The East Coast will transition from Florida to Georgia will take place over the next two weeks. MFC Cucumbers are available.

• The Florida season is winding down

• • Expect low volume over the next few weeks
  • Quality is good

• Georgia production will start in early May
• Mexican growers are shipping steady supplies from Sonora and Baja

• Large sizes are a bit snug
• Quality is good

• Expect slightly higher prices due to the East Coast harvesting transitions

Iceberg, Romaine, and Green Leaf Lettuce

Iceberg markets are easing this week amid increased supplies; field weights are rising. Green leaf and romaine markets range from steady to slightly lower.

• MFC Premium Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine are available; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted sporadically due to low weights
• Iceberg production will conclude in Huron, California this week
• The Salinas Valley season continues to ramp up; size and density are more consistent, with some continued variations depending on the field
• Current quality is very good; harvesting crews are closely sorting heads when packing to achieve MFC specifications
• Rain totaling 0.05”-0.10”  is forecast in the Salinas Valley this Friday night, April 25 through Saturday morning, April 26; although rainfall totals are minimal, Markon is working with growers to pack ahead to ensure coverage
• Expect continued low pricing through the rest of this week; markets will stabilize next week as demand shifts to the Salinas Valley

Live From the Fields: Santa Maria Strawberries

Please click here to view a Markon Live from the Fields video regarding current strawberry quality and supply outlook in Santa Maria, California.

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are exhibiting good overall size and quality
• Harvesting crews are working to minimize light color, green tips, creasing, and bruising
• Size is dominated by medium berries
  • 1-pound clamshells are yielding 16-18 berries
  • Counts may increase over the next two weeks
• Conditions have been mostly favorable with near to slightly above-average temperatures forecast through the end of April
• Ample supplies are expected for Mother’s Day demand
• Supplies are ramping up in Watsonville, California as well; quality is very good

Onions

The Pacific Northwest storage onion season is winding down; fresh-run onions are available in Texas. The California desert region will begin next week; markets are active.

Pacific Northwest

• MFC Onions are available from Idaho, Oregon, and Washington
• Idaho/Oregon MFC Yellow and Red Onions will wrap up this week; packer label options will be available next week
• Washington supplies are expected to finish in three to four weeks
• White onions will be extremely limited
• Overall markets will remain steady

Texas

• Texas-grown MFC Yellow and Red Onions are available
• Crossings from Mexico are limited; overall markets are rising as demand increases
• Quality is very good; occasional bruising and mechanical damage are minor issues
• Spring onions possess higher water content and lower acids, producing sweeter flavor but shorter shelf-life

Southern California

• Southern California desert regions will start with shipping yellow and red onions early next week
• Markets are expected to be elevated at the beginning of the season
• Quality is very good with some excess skin in early fresh crop lots
• Transition to Northern California is expected early June

New Mexico

• New crop will begin late May/early June

Squash

Squash supply is meeting demand in Florida and Mexico; prices are low. MFC Zucchini and Yellow Squash are available.

• Mexico production is steady
  • Expect sufficient volume and great quality out of Sonora
  • Growers will start harvesting new crop fields in Baja in late April
• The California desert season will start on May 6; yields will start off low but increase
• Yellow squash production is increasing in Florida
  • Zucchini and yellow squash harvesting has moved to Northern Florida
  • Quality is good
  • The South Florida season will end over the next few weeks
• Expect steady prices over the next two weeks

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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