Apples

Storage crop Washington Markon First Crop (MFC) Gala and Red Delicious Apples remain available. The Washington MFC Fuji, Granny Smith, and Golden Delicious seasons are beginning to wind down. Michigan apples are readily available.

• In Washington, new crop MFC Gala and Gold Delicious Apples are on the market
• Adequate stocks of storage MFC Fuji and Red Delicious remain available
• Granny Smith supplies will be limited for the next few weeks as storage stocks diminish
  • Size substitutions may be necessary for Granny Smith order coverage until new crop harvesting begins
  • Prices have increased
• Michigan apple volume remains high
  • Seasonal yields are well-above average; no supply gap is expected on the varieties below
  • Ideal weather conditions this past spring and summer produced an abundant crop
• Please see the grid below for a quick reference to Michigan and Washington apple transitions and current size profiles:

Broccoli

Prices are elevated and likely to rise more amid industry-wide quality challenges.

• MFC Broccoli Crowns are limited in Salinas, California and South Texas; Markon Best Available (MBA) and packer label will be substituted as needed to maintain quality
• Warm weather, strong winds, and high humidity across the Santa Maria and Salinas Valleys has accelerated growth but introduced several quality challenges
  • Brown bead is the primary concern but yellowing is also being reported in most lots
  • Hollow cores with bracketed crown structures are being observed in many lots where heat has been extreme

• • This year’s plantings were lighter due to spring flooding; low returns, combined with quality challenges, are keeping industry supplies lean and prices elevated

• Mexican broccoli is available in South Texas at slightly lower pricing this week, but quality is fair at best with defects like cat eye and yellowing being reported
• Expect a price spread to develop between South Texas and West Coast loading locations, with South Texas offering slightly less expensive prices and potential freight savings over the next 10-14 days

California Strawberries

Markets are on an upward trend as lower yields and increased demand for the upcoming Labor Day holiday are pricing pushing higher. Markon recommends ordering for quick turns due to shorter shelf-life.

Santa Maria

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Fruit size is small (20 to 24 berries per one-pound clamshell)
• Increased humidity from the recent tropical storm is increasing softness, bruising, and occasional decay
• Spring crop production will wind down over the next two to three weeks
• Fall crop harvesting has started; supplies are minimal but expected to increase by mid-September; initial harvest will include inconsistent sizing, misshapen berries, and tart taste with low sugar levels

Salinas/Watsonville

• 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
• Humidity from recent tropical storm has growers culling more fruit
• Suppliers will begin transitioning to the Santa Maria growing region in mid-September

Hurricane Hilary

Hurricane Hilary is impacting several markets this week. Long-term impacts are still being assessed, but prices are on the rise for several commodities.

Mexico, Baja California

• Commodities with markets moving upward

• Cucumbers
• Chile Peppers
• Green Beans
• Squash
• Tomatoes
• Green Onions – Prices are much higher
• Asparagus – Minimally impacted with some delayed shipments into the U.S. this week

Arizona/California Desert Region

• Winter lettuce and leaf crops are still a few weeks from being planted; no disruption is expected at this time

Oxnard, California

• Commodities with prices climbing

• Cilantro
• Parsley
• Kale/Flowering Kale
• Bell Peppers
• Lettuce/Leaf – the front end of the fall lettuce/leaf crops have been planted; limited planting disruptions may occur for fall harvests

San Joaquin Valley

• Commodities with markets rising

• Bell Peppers
• Citrus
• Grapes
• Melons
• Tomatoes
• Stone Fruit – season nearly complete due to storm; remaining stocks limited

Salinas/Santa Maria

• Minimal rainfall was recorded in these areas
• Broccoli, lettuce, and strawberry quality will be impacted due to warmer-than-normal temperatures and high humidity

Limes

Severe weather storms in Mexico and South Texas will impact lime supplies this week. Markets are poised to increase. MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Limes are available.

• Mexico experienced heavy rains over the weekend; Hurricane Hilary has hampered production
• The South Texas border near McAllen is experiencing 35mph winds and precipitation today as Tropical Storm Harold passes through the region; logistical routes in the area may see delays over the next 24 hours
• Overall quality is good; however, extra grading is required due to scarring, blanching, and oil spots
• Larger-size fruit (110- to 150-count limes) are more abundant
• Expect active prices over the next two weeks

Mixed Berries

Blueberry volume continues to decline; markets are rising. Blackberry and raspberry supplies are slowly increasing and should meet demand in September.

Blackberries

• Overall production is increasing in California growing regions
• Insect pressure from recent humidity has caused availability to tighten domestic stocks
• Inclement weather is slowing production in Mexico but it’s expected to improve in the next 7-10 days
• Quality is slowly improving as September nears

Blueberries

• Pacific Northwest harvests are winding down fast
  • Prices are rising
  • Availability is tightening
• The Michigan season is expected to end over the next one to two weeks; production is finished in New Jersey
• Mexico will start fall crop production next week; expect sufficient supplies in mid-September
• The Peruvian season is expected to begin in early September
• Expect limited stocks and elevated markets over the next two to three weeks

Raspberries

• Watsonville is shipping ample supplies
• Mexican production is expected to increase over the next several weeks
• Expect occasionally overripe fruit in California; yellow tones are being reported in some Mexican berries will exhibit occasional yellow tone
• Ample supplies are good quality are forecast as the industry heads into September

Onions

Summer Crop

• The New Mexico season has concluded
• In California, most growers have finished shipping for the season; a small number of sheds will continue to pack through the end of August

New Crop

• MFC Onion harvesting is ramping up in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington
• Colorado- and Utah-grown onions will hit the market after the Labor Day weekend
• Early pack-out size is dominated by medium and jumbo sizes; adequate stocks of colossal and super colossal are available
• New crop onions will have a rounder, more globe-like shape than supplies shipped during the spring and summer months; early season supplies will still exhibit thin, light-colored skins until shipped out of storage
• While growers send new crop onions to production for packing, they will also begin to fill storage facilities; supplies will begin to ship out of storage in early October
• Healthy onion crops and strong yields are expected this upcoming storage season; weather has been excellent for growing up to this point

Oranges

California Valencia supplies are tightening; most growers anticipate supplies will be depleted by the end of September. Imported volume will begin shipping over the next two to three weeks as the Chilean and South African seasons begin. Harvesting will start in Mexico, Florida, and Texas between late October and early November.

California  

• MFC and ESS California Valencia Oranges are available
• Supplies are dominated by large sizes (56- to 88-count packs); smaller sizes (113- to 138-count packs) are tightening

• 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
• Initial reports project California Navels will begin shipping in mid- to late October
• Expect increasing markets and tightening supplies through September

Chile

• Chilean fruit expected to begin in mid-September and imported into both coasts

• Low volume is expected at the start, but will rise week over week
• Supplies will be dominated by 113-count and larger packs

South Africa

• South African fruit is expected to begin in mid-September and imported into the East Coast
• Low volume is expected at the start, but will rise week over week
• There is limited availability of 88- to 113-count packs

Mexico

• Oranges will begin shipping in mid- to late October
• The Early orange variety will be available in both McAllen, Texas and Nogales, Arizona

Florida

• New crop fruit will start shipping in late October and run through June
• Supplies are expected to be dominated by 100- to 125-count and larger packs
• The majority of fruit will be choice and standard grades

Texas

• Oranges will begin shipping in early November
• Navels will be the predominate variety available, but Early oranges will also be on the market

Pineapples

Pineapple supplies remain extremely scarce in Costa Rica, Mexico, and South America.

Commodity

• A seasonal decline in overall supply is typical from mid-June through August
• Supply shortages are more extreme than in years past due to adverse weather conditions experienced in Costa Rica
• All sizes are extremely limited and are subject to pro-rates and substitutions
• Quality is fair with occasional lots showing decay, softness, mold, and overripeness
• Expected rising markets and scarce supplies over the next three to four weeks

Value Added

• Sporadic raw commodity supplies will impact value-added products
• Items containing pineapple will be subject to pro-rates and substitutions
• Expect steady markets and scarce supplies over the next three to four weeks

Potatoes

New crop, fresh-run MFC Norkotah Potatoes are available in Idaho and Washington. Expect the market to ease for the next few weeks.

New Crop Potatoes

• Idaho: early pack-outs are dominated by 80- to 100-count sizes
• Washington: early season volume is dominated by 50- to 70-count potatoes
• Texas:
  • Limited quantities are now being gathered
  • Early harvests are inadequate in size
• U.S. No. 2 production will be extremely limited, as potatoes that would normally meet No. 1 grade are being packed to meet demand for No. 2 grade orders
  • No. 2 supplies will increase once potatoes are shipped out of storage
  • Pricing will remain firm until that time
• Colorado and Wisconsin harvests will begin in September

Squash

Yellow squash and zucchini supplies are tight in all growing regions; markets are on the rise.

West Coast  

• Stocks are snug; demand is strong
• Heat, humidity, and strong winds in Santa Maria, California are expected to negatively impact shelf-life; suppliers are reporting bruising and scarring during grading
• Expect higher markets this week and lighter production as fields dry out over the next several days

East Coast

• Supplies are limited due to summer rains and hot, humid weather
• Demand is shifting to the West Coast
• Expect markets to rise over the next 7-10 days

Mexico

• Many growing regions in Baja, Mexico experienced extensive flooding as a result of Hurricane Hilary
  • Expect light production as fields dry out over the next several days
  • New crop harvesting is expected to start next week

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

©2023 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.