Broccoli

Markon First Crop (MFC) Broccoli is available in Salinas, California; packer label is being substituted as needed. The broccoli market continues to soften as supplies remain ample and demand has eased. Markets are expected to trend lower into next week.

• Demand has moderated, resulting in lower market prices.
• California production is meeting current demand levels with good overall availability.
  • Diamondback moth (DBM) pressure remains elevated in some fields.
  • Continued warm temperatures may increase insect activity, contributing to discoloration and dehydration issues.
• Mexican broccoli crossing through South Texas remains readily available. Quality concerns include browning, cat eye, and hollow core.
• Maine and New York are in full production, providing additional supplies to East Coast markets and contributing to overall market availability.
• Ohio is currently in production and is expected to continue harvesting through the next month.
  • Field reports indicate good sizing and minimal insect pressure.

Green Onions

Green onion prices are rising due to extreme heat affecting production. Elevated markets and heat-related quality concerns are expected throughout August. Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Green Onions are available; packer label is being substituted as needed.

• Temperatures across the Mexicali growing region are forecast to exceed 110°F throughout this week
• Extreme heat is impacting both mature fields and younger plantings, resulting in lighter yields
• Quality is generally good
• Potential heat-related defects include:
  • Dehydration
  • Discoloration
  • Early decay
  • Tip burn
• Supplies are currently steady but are expected to tighten as production challenges persist
• Expect strong markets and higher pricing through the remainder of August and into early September

Iceberg and Romaine

Iceberg markets are expected to climb sharply over the next several days as disease pressure, insect activity, and lower yields tighten supplies. Demand is also rebounding, creating rapid upward pricing momentum that is expected to accelerate into next week. Romaine markets are expected to rise in the coming days due to tightening supplies and increasing demand.

Markon First Crop (MFC) Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces are available in Salinas, California; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as necessary.

Salinas/Santa Maria, California

• Iceberg markets are expected to increase aggressively heading into next week as disease and insect pressure worsen
• Demand is rebounding, adding momentum to what is already a rapidly escalating iceberg market
• Romaine and leaf markets are expected to follow with sharply higher pricing anticipated
• Disease challenges, including Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) and Sclerotinia, are becoming more widespread and cutting into yields
• Quality ranges from fair to good; increased pest pressure, internal burn, mildew, and seeder are being reported in many lots
• Markon QA inspectors continue to work closely with grower-shipper partners to secure the best available product

Colorado

• Iceberg harvests are ongoing and are expected to continue through mid-September, weather permitting
• Warm temperatures may accelerate crop development in some fields
• Quality is good, with minimal reports of internal burn or mildew; weights remain overall lighter compared to California product

Michigan

• Harvests of green leaf, iceberg, and romaine will continue through September
• Supplies are steady
• Quality remains favorable despite some minor rainfall

Northeastern Canada and USA

• Harvests of all lettuces are ongoing
• Recent heat and rain have limited production and impacted some quality
• Supplies are expected to rebound next week

Mandarins

Chilean Mandarins have entered a two-week supply gap. Prior heavy rain impacted fruit production, resulting in extremely limited supplies and rising prices.

• The import season will run through November
• Massive rainstorms have made harvesting a logistical challenge
• Expect a complete shortage of up to two weeks before supplies increase
• Crop yields are significantly below historic averages, creating a supply gap between the Clementine and Tango varieties
• Expect market conditions to remain extremely tight over the next two weeks

Oranges

The domestic Valencia crop is currently experiencing elevated levels of cosmetic scarring due to early season thrip pressure and wind damage. Imported oranges are also showing increased external scarring and lighter-than-normal color upon arrival. While these defects are primarily cosmetic, they may affect the fruit’s overall appearance. Growers are doing their best to keep these defects out of final pack outs. Both domestic and imported oranges are experiencing issues with thrip damage and wind scarring. Thrip damage is cosmetic rind damage caused by citrus thrips feeding on very young fruit shortly after petal fall; scars are often circular or banded and have a corky appearance. Wind scarring typically appears as random scratches or rubbed areas on the side of the fruit.

Domestic

• Early signs of decay are being caused by mechanical damage
  • Bruises, punctures, stem punctures, clipper cuts, and rough handling create entry points for decay organisms
  • Fruit may look fine when packed but begin breaking down days later
• While these defects can be found in both grades, they occur more frequently in Choice grade fruit

Imports

• Inconsistent color upon arrival is caused by several different factors
  • Warm growing conditions
  • Early harvesting
  • Insufficient degreening

Potatoes

Markon First Crop (MFC) Potatoes are available from Idaho and Washington. Potato markets continue to rise as the storage crop comes to an end and new crop has started. Larger size potatoes (40- and 50-count) along with #2 grade are extremely limited. Markon recommends maintaining lean inventories and ordering for short-term needs due to the shorter shelf-life of stored crop potatoes.

Idaho

• Storage crop MFC Burbank Potatoes will finish this week
  • Minimal supplies are left with mixer volume on all sizes
  • Quality is fair to good; majority being culled out for pressure bruise
  • Remaining supply leaning heavily towards 100-count and smaller as well as No. 2 grade stocks
  • New crop Burbanks are expected to return in October after having gone through the sweat to set skins
• New crop MFC Norkotah Potatoes are available
  • Multiple sheds are now running with minimal supplies of 40- and 50-count as well as #2 grade
  • Early lots are exhibiting smaller sizes due to recent heat and smoke cover from fires
    • Smoke cover limited photosynthesis for proper plant growth in early lots; clear skies and cooler temps are forecast this week
    • It is expected that the larger size 40- and 50-count will be scarce over the next three to four weeks until later lots are harvested
  • Overall quality is good
• Markets will remain active
  • Larger size 40- to 70-count will be volatile
  • #2 grade potatoes will remain elevated as new crop potatoes will produce higher grade quality

Washington

• New crop MFC Norkotah Potatoes are available
• Demand is strong for all sizes with mixer volumes available
• Quality is very good
• Prices are increasing due to increasing demand

Wisconsin

• New crop has started
• Large size russets are limited as profile is leaning towards smaller potatoes to start
• Quality is good
• Pricing will continue to rise as demand is active

Colorado

• The Colorado storage season is winding down quickly
  • Supplies will remain extremely tight through August
  • New crop stocks are expected to start shipping in early September
• Quality is fair to good
• Markets are rising as supplies remain limited

Strawberries

The market is inching up; supplies are tightening. The Salinas/Watsonville season is past its peak, with numbers dropping weekly. The Santa Maria/Oxnard fall crop volume remains weeks away, weather permitting

Watsonville/Salinas

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available
• Berry size is medium; counts range from 19 to 24 berries per 1-pound clamshell
• Quality is good, with minor bruising and soft skin
• Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Expect strong demand and high prices through the next two weeks

Santa Maria, California 

• Berries size is medium plus; counts range from 15 to 18 berries per 1-pound clamshell
• Quality is good
• Volume levels will be reached in three weeks
• Expect strong demand and elevated markets through next week

Tomatoes

As volume shifts from the East Coast, demand will move to California, Mexico, and the Midwest; markets are inching up.

Rounds

• East Coast and Midwest
  • Tennessee is in full production
  • Michigan is ramping up this week
  • Virginia production is paused until September when new fields become available
  • Rain has affected fields across the East Coast; more grading has been required to maintain quality, but no major issues are present
• Mexico
  • Production has fallen below that of U.S. growers
  • Supplies will increase in Baja and Central Mexico in September
  • Quality is good, but size is smaller than usual
• California
  • Round harvesting is at its peak
  • Jumbo and extra-large sizes are most plentiful
• Markets are inching up due to lower total volume

Romas

• East Coast
  • Supplies are steady in Tennessee
  • Some quality issues are present due to recent rain
• Mexico
  • Moderate volume is shipping from Central Mexico and Baja
  • Expect a slight improvement over the next two weeks
• California
  • Like round tomatoes, California Romas are dominated by jumbo and extra-large sizes
• Prices are up slightly due to lower yields

Grape and Cherry

• East Coast
  • Volume has tapered off this week in Virginia, but will rebound in September
  • Wet weather has forced growers to work through more product to maintain good quality
  • Expect prices to remain steady for the next few weeks
• Mexico
  • Overall production is lighter
  • Volume will increase in three to four weeks

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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