Asparagus

Markon First Crop Asparagus (MFC) is available; markets for larger sizes remain elevated.

Mexico

• Production is winding down in Central Mexico
  • Yields will continue decreasing throughout August
  • Quality is below average
  • Stalks are exhibiting elevated levels of spread tips and seeder
• Baja production will continue through October
  • Quality is better due to less heat and rain
  • Sufficient supplies of standard and large sizes are available, but larger sizes are tighter
• High prices are expected to persist another two to three weeks at minimum amid light supplies and transitioning growing regions

Peru

• Peruvian asparagus (shipped into Miami) remains available on the East Coast; yields will increase as southern hemisphere enters their spring season and temperatures increase

Broccoli

MFC Broccoli is being shipped in Salinas, California; Markon Best Available is being packed in Mexico (into South Texas).

• Markets are easing as supplies increase out west and in Mexico
• Varying levels of pin rot, branching, and yellowing persist but are decreasing in prevalence out of both California and Mexico
• Regionally grown volume is very light, with Indiana wrapped up and Georgia being the next to come online in mid-late September
• Mexican-grown product (crossing into South Texas) is available at an FOB cost savings, hollow core defects from high heat are decreasingly an issue
• Expect prices to continue falling throughout the rest of August, then range from steady to lower through late September as acreage increases in California

California Stone Fruit

The California stone fruit season is winding down. Nectarines will wrap up next week with minimal supplies remaining.

Nectarines

• The California season will wrap up towards the end of next week
• The industry is in a demand-exceeds-supply situation
• Remaining fruit quality is good; concerns include excessive bruising and early decay

Peaches

• The California season is past its peak
• California supplies are expected to run through mid-September
• Expect very good quality; sugar levels typically range from 13 to 15 Brix

Plums

• The California season is past 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

Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons

California’s San Joaquin Valley melon season is now past peak production; markets are poised to rise as volume decreases. MFC Cantaloupe and Honeydew are available.

Cantaloupe

• Volume is starting to decline as the San Joaquin melon season moves past its peak
  • Prices are slightly higher
  • The California/Arizona desert season is expected to begin by the second week of October

• Supplies are dominated by large 9-count fruit; smaller 12- and 15-count melons are extremely tight, commanding higher prices
• Canadian and domestic East Coast regional growers will begin to wrap up harvesting in the next two weeks, shifting demand to California

• Quality is good; ground spotting, bruising, and green cast are occasional issues

• Expect markets to gradually rise over the next two to three weeks

Honeydew

• Volume has started to decrease in California, as the San Joaquin summer season moves past peak production
  • Prices are slightly higher
  • The California/Arizona desert season is expected to begin by the second week of October

• Supplies are dominated by large 5-count fruit; smaller 6- and 8-count fruit is limited, commanding higher prices

• Quality is good; ground spotting, bruising, and scarring are minor problems

• Expect markets to gradually rise over the next two to three weeks

Cauliflower

Markon Essentials (ESS) Cauliflower is limited; packer label is being substituted as necessary to fill orders.

• Prices are elevated
• Supplies are tightening
• Current fields are not maturing as expected for this time of year
• Quality ranges from fair to good
  • Insect pressure and inconsistent head size are prevalent
  • Due to low yields, growers are harvesting ahead of scheduled acreage
  • Smaller-size heads are readily available
• Stronger demand and limited yields are driving the market upwards
• Prices are expected to continue climbing this week and remain at elevated levels through the end of August

Cilantro

Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Washed & Trimmed Cilantro is available.

• Volume is on the rise as multiple growing regions are in play
• Quality concerns across Southern and Central California (Oxnard, Santa Maria, and Salinas Valley) are decreasing but remain prevalent
  • Thick stems, wide leaves, seeder/bolting, damaged, yellow, and spotted leaves are issues
  • DCs are strongly advised to adjust order patterns for increased turns due to short shelf-life concerns
• Cooler weather around the start of September will further help to improve quality
• Expect prices to remain relatively steady amid strong supplies through the remainder of August

Cucumbers

Cucumber supplies are abundant; higher grades are in demand, pushing markets up. Off grade cucumbers continue to flood the market with lower prices.

• The Northeast has decent volume but some quality challenges; the fall North Carolina program is expected to start in September
• The Midwest has seen good volume and quality
• Baja and central Mexico have moderate volume with dark green skin/nice quality; all grades are available
• Expect current prices to remain over the next two weeks

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces

Green leaf, iceberg, and romaine markets are slightly higher amid stronger demand and tighter supplies in Salinas, California.

• MFC Premium Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine are available
• California quality is very good
  • Burn, insect pressure, mildew, and seeder are being found periodically
  • Fusarium and sclerotinia disease pressure is impacting iceberg fields in particular, reducing harvestable yields
• East Coast crop damages are minimal following Tropical Storm Debby; market spikes did not materialize
• Demand is strengthening as schools resume
• Expect slightly higher markets into September

Green Onions
Green onion prices remain elevated, and supplies remain tight following persistent heat and sporadic thunderstorms in the primary growing region of Mexicali, Mexico.

• RSS Washed & Trimmed Green Onions are available; packer label may be substituted when supplies do not meet Markon specifications

• Yields were reduced by fast-moving storm systems that wiped out many mature lots in early August

• Persistent heat has slowed the growth of younger plantings, keeping industry supplies limited

• Demand is strong for long top green onions; stocks will tighten by weeks’ end
• Ordering for quick turns is recommended through the rest of August, as stressed plants will have decreased shelf-life potential
• Expect markets to remain elevated for the next three weeks, as younger plantings mature and supplier inventories increase

Live From the Fields: Salinas Valley Quality Update

Please click here to view a Markon Live from the Fields video regarding the current quality of key vegetable items in the Salinas Valley.

• Quality for lettuces and other Salinas row crops is very good; sporadic insect and long core issues are present in some lots
• Demand is strong; supplies are snug
• September through November are historically some of the most volatile months for quality, supply, and shelf-life performance
• Now is a good time to take advantage of good quality as the industry passes the peak of the growing season

Mixed Berries

Blackberry stocks have begun to increase as the Pacific Northwest season hits its stride. Raspberry supplies are beginning to stabilize. Blueberry volume will decrease by late August and fall through September.

Blackberries

• California supplies are not sufficient to meet current needs
• Quality is fair; soft skins and red cells have been reported
• Ideal Pacific Northwest weather will help increase supplies
• Expect stocks to slowly increase and prices to ease

Raspberries

• Baja is starting to see better volume
• Quality is fair
• Demand is steady; prices are trending downward
• Expect volume to climb

Blueberries

• Mexican supplies are sufficient
• Demand is steady
• Quality is very good
• Pacific Northwest harvesting is at its peak
• Offshore shipments have slowed
• Expect markets to rise

Onions

The California season for MFC Onions has ended. Production is winding down in New Mexico. New crop MFC Onions are now available out of the Northwest. High-quality storage onions with solid skin sets are expected to start shipping by mid-September.

Summer Crop

• A couple of New Mexico suppliers will ship through the end of next week, but most have concluded operations

New Crop

• MFC Onion growers in Idaho, Oregon, Colorado, and Washington have begun harvesting
• Utah-grown onions will hit the market next week

• Michigan is expected to start shipping yellow onions later this month and reds in early September; white onion volume is very minimal from this region

• New York yellow and red onion harvests are expected to start in September; white onions are not available
• Healthy onion crops and strong yields are expected this upcoming storage season; weather has been excellent for growing up to this point

Pineapples

Pineapple supplies are limited.

• Recent rain and cloudy weather have increased sugar levels, causing translucency/water logging in larger sizes
• Availability is stronger for smaller fruit, partially due to quality issues in larger sizes
• Quality issues will cause shortages for the next several weeks
• Crownless pineapples will continue to be short for four weeks due to most of the supply being produced as crowned

Potatoes

New crop, fresh-run MFC Norkotah Potatoes are available. It is important to be aware of certain characteristics once new crop supplies begin shipping.

• Fresh-run potato quality is excellent; light skinning and excess moisture will be observed
  • Potatoes release moisture as they cool, this gives them a wet look, and can cause a white blush on the surface that can be easily brushed off
  • The white blush will evaporate as the potatoes dry and does not pose any quality or food safety concerns
• New crop potatoes have not gone through the “sweat” process yet
  • The “sweat” process allows field heat to leave the potatoes (which causes the release of moisture), putting them in dormancy, which prevents sprouting from occurring during the early months of storage

• U.S. No. 2 availability will be extremely limited
  • Fresh-run Norkotah quality is strong; No. 2 supplies will increase once potatoes are shipped out of storage
  • Pricing will remain firm for the next few months
• New crop Burbank harvesting is expected to start in late October

Squash

Yellow squash supplies are tightening due to cool weather. Markets are increasing despite multiple summer growing regions in play. Expect higher prices on yellow squash and zucchini the week as demand begins to shift.

East Coast

• Suppliers are harvesting in the New York and New Jersey growing regions, but rain and cooler weather has decreased production
• Quality is good but rain has created some challenges
• The North Carolina season will start next week
• Due to Tropical Storm Debby, expect lower yields on yellow squash

Midwest

• Lighter volumes on yellow squash; warmer weather in the forecast will increase volum

Baja, Mexico

• Limited volume on yellow squash

California

• The Santa Maria growing region has seen cooler weather which has reduced yields and delayed transition to their third set of the summer season
• Supply is adequate; warm weather forecasted for this weekend will help
• San Joaquin Valley fields are recovering from extreme heat in July; volume is increasing

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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