Asparagus

Asparagus markets remain elevated due to regional harvesting transitions, sizing issues, and weather-related challenges reducing supplies in Mexico and Peru. Expect limited availability and firm markets through August.

Mexico

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Asparagus is available; packer label is being substituted as needed
• The Central Mexico season is winding down; production is shifting to Southern Baja, which will be the primary growing region through year’s end
• Rain and warm weather across Central Mexico reduced yields and prompted many growers to conclude harvests earlier than normal
• Jumbo and extra-large sizes remain especially limited and are expected to stay tight into the fall season
• Quality ranges from fair to good
  • Small sizing remains the primary challenge
  • Seeding, wet/decayed tips, and limp/rubbery spears have been reported from rain-impacted growing areas
• Expect firm markets and restricted availability, particularly for jumbo and extra-large sizes, through August and into fall

Peru (into South Florida)

• Import volume remains below historical averages
• Northern Peruvian production is decreasing, while Southern Peru is expected to become the primary growing region by late August
• Both domestic and export markets will rely heavily on Southern Peru to support fall demand
• Warmer-than-normal El Nino weather patterns have impacted quality and reduced available supplies
  • Early decay, seeding, and dehydrated spears have been reported
  • Sizing skews heavily towards small and standards
• Expect elevated markets through August as northern growing districts conclude production and southern operations continue to ramp up

Baby Broccoli

Supplies are limited as recent heat has accelerated maturity, creating a supply gap across the industry. Availability is tight on both Broccolini Baby Broccoli and Sweet Baby Broccoli. MFC and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Broccolini Baby Broccoli is limited; packer label will be substituted as needed.

• Industry supplies are constrained, with most fields currently in fifth-cut production

• Recent heat and humidity accelerated crop development and resulted in additional quality challenges

• Quality concerns include yellow beading and premature flowering
• These issues are expected to increase following warmer Central Coast weather
• Availability is expected to remain tight for the next two to three weeks until newer acreage reaches first-cut harvests

Broccoli

The broccoli market continues to strengthen as supplies remain limited and demand exceeds available production. Prices are expected to trend higher this week. MFC Broccoli is available in Salinas, California.

• Strong demand persists, resulting in ongoing price increases
• California yields remain below seasonal averages, while demand continues to outpace production

• Quality ranges from average to good; yellowing and pin rot have been reported
• Diamondback moth pressure is significantly impacting some lots
• Continued high temperatures may further elevate insect activity and contribute to discoloration and dehydration
• Mexican broccoli crossing through South Texas remains readily available; quality challenges include browning, cat eye, and hollow core
• Maine is in full production, providing additional supplies to East Coast markets
• The New York season will run through mid-October

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprout prices are inching up as demand strengthens, but supplies remain abundant. California production is steady; overall quality is excellent

• MFC and RSS Brussels Sprouts are available
• Harvests continue across the Salinas and Santa Maria growing regions
• Demand has strengthened, resulting in modest price increases
• Supplies are plentiful with strong availability across all sizes
• Quality is very good
  • There’s a wide range of sizes available; seeder is minimal
  • Occasional discoloration has been reported in isolated lots
• Expect slightly elevated pricing with ample volume through August

Cucumbers

Cucumber supplies have tightened in Western Mexico; prices are rising. MFC Cucumbers are available.

• Volume is decreasing in Mexico’s Baja region this week; hot, humid weather is affecting older fields

• • Supplies are expected to increase in two weeks when growers harvest new sets
  • Some suppliers have had to source cucumbers crossing into Texas to meet demand
• Production remains steady in the Northeast, Midwest, and Western North Carolina
• Overall quality is fair
• Expect steady East Coast markets over the next two weeks and climbing West Coast prices

Lemons

The domestic lemon market remains elevated due to limited supplies and strong demand. Imports from offshore growing regions and Mexico are helping supplement availability; however, overall supplies remain tight, keeping prices high.

Domestic

• MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Lemons are available  
• All sizes remain limited
• Quality is good; scarring and early decay have been reported
• Elevated pricing is forecast for the next six weeks

Offshore

• Offshore fruit from Argentina and Chile is arriving in North America and will run through early December
• These shipments will help fill orders not met by California lemons
• Size will be dominated by large lemons (95- through 140-count fruit); smaller sizes will be available as well
• Expect similar pricing when compared to domestic

Mexican

• Mexican shipments have started and will run through late November
• These supplies will help fill orders not met by California lemons
• Size will be predominantly 165- through 235-count fruit; larger sizes will be available
• Expect steady markets and lower prices compared to domestic and offshore fruit

Limes

The lime market is rising due to limited supplies, increased grading, and ongoing quality concerns. MFC and ESS Limes are available.

Mexico

• Veracruz has experienced rain and high humidity, creating quality issues and decreasing usable supply
  • Growers are increasing grading due to oil spotting, skin breakdown, and occasional stylar
  • Size remains inconsistent; smaller 230- and 250-count fruit is the most limited
• Additional grading is reducing marketable volume and adding cost throughout the supply chain
• Western Mexico growing regions have also seen wind-related crop loss, further tightening overall availability
• Expect an active market with elevated pricing through the month

Colombia & Honduras

• Volume is steady despite recent earthquake activity affecting the country
• Overall markets are increasing
• Supplies are available for loading in Florida and the Northeast

Hawaii

• Supplies are sufficient, with no significant changes expected
• Regional volume remains limited compared to other growing areas
• Fruit is available for loading in Canada only

Oranges

The California Valencia crop is dominated by large sizes (56- and 88-count pieces); small supplies (88- and 138-count oranges) are tightening. With many schools’ seasons underway and many more are starting in the coming weeks, further decreasing small orange supplies.

Domestic

• MFC and ESS Valencia Oranges are available
• Supplies are dominated by large sizes (56- to 88-count pieces); smaller sizes (113 to 138-count oranges) are tightening
• Expect 113- and 138-count oranges to become scarce as more school systems open across North America; size, grade, and country of origin substitutions will be needed to fill orders
• Quality is good
  • Pale coloring and excessive scarring have been reported in choice-grade fruit
  • Sugar levels range from 11-14% Brix
• Expect elevated markets and limited supplies of all small fruit through early October

Imports

• Chilean, South African, and Peruvian oranges are being imported into both the East and West Coasts
• Expect 15KG 88- to 113-count oranges to become tight over the next three to four weeks as they help fill the void from California
• Quality is great
  • Color is deep orange and skin texture is smooth
  • Sugar levels range from 12-13% Brix
• Expect prices to remain steady but pickup once school demand increases

Potatoes

MFC Potatoes are available from Idaho and Washington. Potato markets continue to strengthen as storage supplies decline and new crop production ramps up. Markon recommends maintaining lean inventories and ordering for short-term needs due to the shorter shelf-life associated with storage crop potatoes.

Idaho

• Storage crop MFC Burbank Potatoes continue to ship
  • Quality remains good with occasional reports of pressure bruise
  • Remaining supplies are leaning heavily towards 100-count and smaller as well as No. 2 grade stocks
• Western growers have started light supplies of new crop Norkotahs
  • Initial reports show great quality with well set skins
  • Mainly mid-range size profile (80- and 90-count) seen in early lots
• Expect active markets over the next several weeks as we transition to Norkotahs
  • Larger size 40- to 70-count will be volatile
  • #2 grade potatoes will see a substantial increase in price when storage Burbanks are depleted and new crop Norkotahs #1 grade potatoes are prominent in the market

Washington

• Storage crop MFC Norkotah Potatoes are available
• Demand is strong for all sizes
• Quality is good; pressure bruising in an occasional issue
• Prices are increasing
• New crop harvesting has started with light volume
  • Size profile leaning heavy towards 90-count and smaller

Colorado & Wisconsin

• Active demand is limiting availability
• Mixer volume is shipping in all sizes
• Quality is good; pressure bruising is an occasional problem
• Prices continue to rise in both regions
• The Colorado storage season is winding down quickly
  • Supplies will be extremely tight through August
  • New crop stocks are expected to start shipping in early September
• Wisconsin new crop harvesting will begin the week of August 17

Seedless Lemons

The California seedless lemon harvest has officially begun; however, availability is currently limited to bagged seedless lemons only.

• Bulk box seedless lemons remain unavailable due to an ongoing renovation project on lemon packing and production lines
• Expect a bulk box supply gap until early November
• Bagged seedless lemons are available in the meantime

Squash

Squash supplies are reduced in the East due to recent weather affecting yields. Slow West Coast production has further tightened supplies; markets are higher. MFC Zucchini and Yellow Squash are available.

 East Coast

• New Jersey has mixed quality
• Heat and rain in July have impacted yields on the current crop
• New York production is increasing
  • Quality is good
• Expect elevated markets over the next week

 Midwest

• Michigan and Ohio experienced high temperatures and minimal rain in July which has decreased yields

• Growers are seeing mixed quality
• Expecting markets to remain elevated through the weekend

West Coast

• California’s San Joaquin Valley are slowly ramping up new sets this week
  • Overall volume is still low on both yellow squash and zucchini
• Santa Maria new crop production is underway, however total volume is still limited
• Quality is good, but sizing is trending smaller
• Zucchini markets are steady; yellow squash prices are a bit higher

Stone Fruit

The California stone fruit season is at its peak.

Nectarines

• Supplies are tight; coverage is on a day-by-day basis
• The season will wrap up within the next 7-10 days
• Expect to make size substitutions to fill orders
• Quality is good; sugar levels range from 12 to 14 Brix
• The Chilean nectarine season begins in mid-January

Peaches

• Supplies are ample; the season is expected to run until mid-October
• Quality is good; sugar levels range from 12 to 14 Brix
• The Chilean peach season begins in mid-January

Plums

• The season will run through mid-September
• Quality is good; sugar levels range from 11 to 14 Brix
• The Chilean plum season begins in mid-January

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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