Avocados

Large size Mexican avocado supplies (32- to 48- count fruit) remain tight; smaller sizes are recommended as substitutions.

Mexico

• Large sizes (32- to 48-count supplies) remain extremely limited
• Smaller sizes (60- to 70-count fruit) are increasing; these stocks are filling the void of large size avocado shortages
• Quality is good; checkerboarding (uneven ripening within a case) has been reported
• Anticipate a substantial price savings when ordering small sizes (70- to 84-count stocks) as compared to large size fruit
• Expect elevated prices for large sizes and steady markets for smaller fruit for the next four to six weeks

California

• Yields continue to diminish week over week, as the season will wind down in late August
• The crop is currently dominated by 48- and 60-count No. 1 grade fruit
• Quality is good; checkerboarding (uneven ripening) has been reported
• Expect stable pricing

Apples (Granny Smith)

Expect tight Granny Smith storage supplies for the rest of the season.

• Growers estimate approximately 98 percent of the storage crop has been shipped
• New crop Granny Smith apples are expected to hit the market the week of September 4
• Size substitutions will be required to fill orders until new crop stocks are available
• Expect elevated prices over the next few weeks, as growers work to extend remaining storage volume

Bell Peppers

California new crop bell pepper production is struggling to keep up with demand; markets are elevated. Hurricane Hilary is expected to further tighten supplies and increase West Coast markets next week. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

• California
  • Hollister, Oxnard, and Newhall production is ramping up; supplies remain tight
  • New crop production is expected to increase over the next two weeks, pending the outcome of Hurricane Hilary
  • Quality is good; large sizes dominate availability

• Central Mexico/East Coast
  • Central Mexican supplies are limited; quality is average
  • East Coast volume is lower following summer rains in New York, Ohio, and Michigan
  • Pennsylvania and New Jersey growers are expected to start new crop harvesting in the next two to three weeks
  • Canadian greenhouse supplies are sufficient
  • East Coast markets are steady but will rise next week

Red Bells

• California

• The Bakersfield season is expected to finish next week; Fresno, Newhall, and Oxnard production is slowly ramping up
• Markets are higher this week as crops transition to new regions; supplies are limited

• • New crop quality is good; stocks are dominated by medium/large sizes
  • Hurricane Hilary may disrupt production in Oxnard, Newhall, and Fresno next week
• Central Mexico/Canada
  • Central Mexican supplies are limited; markets are steady
  • Canadian volume is low; supplies are expected to increase over the next one to two weeks

Citrus

Prices for small lemons remain elevated due to tight supplies and strong demand. Expect small-size oranges (113- through 138-count fruit) to become limited through the month of August as schools ramp up across the country.

Lemons

• MFC and ESS Lemons are available  
• Small-size lemons (165- through 235-count fruit) remain limited
• Expect to make size and/or country of origin changes to help fill orders as needed
• Offshore and Mexican supplies continue to help fill small-size shortages on the West Coast
• Expect tight stocks and elevated markets through the month of September

Oranges

• MFC and ESS Valencia Oranges are available
• California Valencia volume is rising; new crop fruit is dominated by 88- through 113-count supplies

• Prolonged heat in California’s San Joaquin Valley has caused what is called re-greening in oranges

• • If exposed to prolonged heat, Valencia oranges occasionally re-absorb chlorophyll, resulting in a green tint
  • The current crop has seen multiple days of triple-digit temperatures
  • Most growers will expose harvested supplies to naturally occurring ethylene gas to return fruit to a deep orange color
  • Fruit remains fully ripe, sweet, and juicy
• Expect increasing markets and tightening supplies through August

Grapes

California-grown red grapes continue to increase in volume. Sweet Bond black seedless grapes, utilized as substitutions for certain packs, will no longer be needed next week.

• Sweet Bond black seedless grapes will continue to be packed in Lunch Bunch cartons and destemmed packs through this week
• MFC California-grown red grapes will be available for shipping Monday, August 21

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces

Iceberg yields and harvestable acreage are rising. Romaine volume remains stable despite sporadic quality challenges. Green leaf markets are steady to slightly lower

Green Leaf and Romaine

• MFC Premium Green Leaf and Romaine are readily available; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed due to aesthetic defects and/or lighter case weight
• Harvesting crews are trimming heads to avoid insect damage, wind damage, and mildew
• Most lots continue to exhibit some level of internal burn
• Romaine markets are expected to remain at low levels over the next 7-10 days despite strong demand

Iceberg

MFC Premium Iceberg is available; MBA is being substituted as needed due to lighter case weights

• Harvesting crews are culling heads with sclerotinia, bottom rot, and mildew
• Iceberg demand remains focused strongly on the West Coast; limited supplies crossing into South Texas from Mexico
• A general uptrend in harvestable acres in August has kept markets steady to slightly lower

Green Onions

The green onion market continues to rise. Yields are declining following elevated temperatures in the primary growing region of Mexicali, Mexico. Thunderstorms forecast this weekend may limit or cancel harvests, further putting pressure on limited industry supplies.

• Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Green Onions are available
• Elevated day and nighttime temperatures increased ground temperatures in Mexicali
  • Onions are growing quickly in length, but possess thin/weak stems
  • Hot weather is hindering quality and reducing maturity
• Thunderstorms, with 0.50” of rain in total, are forecast this weekend in Mexicali; harvests may be reduced or canceled
• Expect elevated markets to persist for the next four to six weeks, at minimum

Strawberries

Markets have declined this week due to weaker demand. Improved weather increased yields in both regions. Markon recommends ordering for quick turns.

Santa Maria, CA

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Fruit size is small (20 to 24 berries per one-pound clamshell)
• Quality is good; some soft fruit and early decay have been reported
• Spring crops are winding down; the fall season is expected to start in 10-14 days
• Supplies to remain limited over the next 4-6 weeks

Salinas/Watsonville, CA

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Stocks continue to diminish as the season moves past its peak
• Size currently ranges from small to medium (18-to 22-count per one-pound clamshell)

• Quality is good; some soft fruit and early decay have been reported
• Suppliers will begin transitioning to the Santa Maria growing region in mid-September

Stone Fruit

The California stone fruit season is at its peak. Favorable growing conditions have increased supplies compared to years past.

Peaches

• The season will wrap up in mid-October
• Size is dominated by large sizes (54- and 56-count fruit)
• Quality is very good: sugar levels typically range from 10 to 11 Brix
• Expect steady markets and ample supplies over the next four to six weeks

Plums

• The California season is at its peak
• California supplies are expected to run through the first week of October
• Size is dominated by small fruit (60- and 64-count stocks)
• Expect very good quality; sugar levels typically range from 14 to 17 Brix
• After the California season wraps up, plums will be sourced from Chile until mid-January

Nectarines

• The season will wrap up in mid-September
• Size is dominated by large sizes (54- and 56-count fruit)
• Quality is very good: sugar levels typically range from 11 to 12 Brix
• Expect steady markets over the next four to five weeks

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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