Asparagus

Asparagus markets continue to strengthen as harvesting transitions and sizing challenges reduce supplies from both Mexico and Peru. Availability is expected to remain limited, particularly for larger sizes, while elevated market conditions persist into September.

Mexico

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Asparagus is available; packer label is being substituted as needed
• The Central Mexico season has roughly one week of production remaining before Baja becomes the primary growing region through year-end; poor weather conditions in Central Mexico reduced yields and created a variety of production and quality challenges
• Baja fields have started earlier than expected, which could provide some near-term relief; however, the accelerated start could limit future supplies in the fall and winter seasons
• Jumbo and extra-large sizes remain in very short supply and are expected to stay limited as fall demand increases
• Quality is fair to good; heat-related seeding, wet/decayed tips, and limp/rubbery spears have been reported
• Expect increased pricing and restricted availability to continue, particularly for jumbo and extra-large sizes, into September

Peru (into South Florida)

• Peruvian supplies continue to face quality challenges following warmer-than-normal growing conditions in northern districts
• Southern Peru fields are opening earlier than anticipated
  • They will serve as the primary production region into late November
  • Domestic demand will rely heavily on supplies from Southern Peru during the fall season
• Warm El Niño weather patterns reduced Peruvian yields and impacted overall quality
  • Early decay, seeding, and dehydration have been reported
  • Production continues to skew heavily toward small and standard sizes
• Expect elevated markets into September as Southern Peru production continues to ramp up

Broccoli

The broccoli market is expected to strengthen as growers anticipate lighter yields next week. MFC Broccoli is available in Salinas, California; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed.

• Demand remains steady, though yields are expected to decline heading into next week
• California production is meeting current demand levels with good overall availability

• Diamondback moth (DBM) pressure remains elevated in some growing areas
• Pin rot incidence is increasing across portions of the Salinas Valley
• Recent moisture and unsettled weather conditions may exacerbate existing quality concerns

• Mexican broccoli crossing through South Texas remains readily available

• Quality concerns include:
  • Severe browning
  • Cat eye
  • Hollow core

• Maine and New York are in full production, supplying East Coast Markets

• Growers are reporting good sizing, color, and shape
• Insect pressure is minimal
• Ohio remains in production and is expected to continue harvesting through next month

Blueberries

Blueberry prices are expected to remain elevated over the next two to four weeks due to declining production in the Pacific Northwest, light early-season volume from Mexico, and limited arrivals from Peru. As the import season begins, demand is expected to exceed available supply throughout September.

Pacific Northwest

• Oregon harvest is nearing completion, with most shippers expected to finish next week
• Washington production is expected to continue for approximately three more weeks
• Quality is generally good, with occasional soft fruit and shrivel being reported
• Markets are expected to strengthen as regional supplies continue to decline

Mexico

• New crop production has started with light harvest volumes
• Supplies are expected to increase over the next three to four weeks
• Quality has been reported as good
• Markets are expected to remain elevated as demand exceeds available supply

Peru

• Import shipments have started arriving, but volume remains limited early in the season
• Quality has been reported as good
• Market activity is expected to be aggressive throughout September as demand outpaces initial arrivals

Cilantro

Cilantro supplies are sufficient to meet current demand; however, markets are trending higher as weather-related quality challenges impact growing regions in California and Central Mexico.

• Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Cilantro is available; packer label is being substituted when necessary
• Supplies remain adequate to support demand in both Salinas and Oxnard, California
• Quality ranges from fair to good
  • Elevated temperatures and humidity in California are contributing to increased insect and disease pressure, along with bolting and seeder development
  • Seasonal rainfall in Central Mexico is causing yellowing, early decay, and reduced shelf-life on imported product
• Mexican imports remain available, though quality has declined due to ongoing monsoonal conditions
• Salinas production is expected to continue into the early fall; desert region harvests will gradually increase over the coming months
• Expect slightly higher markets with intermittent quality issues into the first week of September

Green Onions

Green onion prices continue to strengthen as extreme temperatures impact production in the Mexicali growing region. Elevated markets are expected to continue into early September as heat-related production challenges limit supply. RSS Green Onions are available; packer label is being substituted as needed.

• Temperatures across the Mexicali growing region exceeded 110°F throughout this week
• Extreme heat is accelerating crop maturity, forcing growers to harvest fields earlier than planned
• Younger plantings are also experiencing heat-related stress, which is expected to reduce yields in the coming weeks
• Quality is generally good, though the potential for heat-related defects is growing
• Potential heat-related defects include:
  • Dehydration
  • Discoloration
  • Early decay
  • Tip burn
• Supplies are currently adequate to meet demand but are expected to tighten as production challenges persist
• Expect strong markets and higher pricing into early September

Mixed Berries

Blueberry supplies are expected to tighten over the next 3-4 weeks as the Pacific Northwest season winds down, Mexico slowly ramps up, and Peru remains limited. Raspberry and blackberry supplies remain favorable, though markets are expected to firm as California production declines.

Blueberries

Mexico

• New crop has started with light production
• Volume is expected to improve in three to four weeks
• Markets are expected to strengthen

Pacific Northwest

• Oregon harvest is nearing completion, with most shippers finishing next week
• Washington production will continue for approximately three more weeks
• Quality remains excellent
• Markets are expected to rise as supplies diminish

Peru

• Shipments are arriving, but September volume will remain limited
• Quality is good
• Market activity is expected to increase during the first few weeks of September

Blackberries

Mexico

• Harvest is beginning with light availability
• Increased volume is expected in three to four weeks

Watsonville

• Quality and flavor remain excellent with large sizing
• Production is declining as the season moves past its peak
• Harvest is expected to continue for another three to four weeks
• Markets are expected to gradually rise

Raspberries

Mexico

• Mexican production remains strong with good quality and availability
• Baja supplies continue to support the demand

California

• Watsonville/Salinas production is past its peak and expected to conclude within three to four weeks
• Supplies remain ample, and markets are expected to stay steady

Onions

Fresh-run MFC Onions are available in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Utah. New crop harvests are now underway across multiple growing regions; markets are gradually easing as production increases. Quality is good.

Washington

• New crop onion harvests are underway; volume is increasing
• Growers expect to begin loading from storage in mid-October
• Supplies are dominated by medium and jumbo sizes; colossal and super colossal sizes are somewhat limited but improving

Idaho/Oregon

• The Idaho/Oregon fresh run onion season is continuing to ramp up
• Harvests are expected to finish in mid-October as growers begin loading from storage supplies
• Current lots are dominated by medium and jumbo sizes; Colossal and super colossal sizes are limited, commanding higher prices

Utah

• New crop yellow onion harvests have begun in a limited manner; harvests will run through October prior to loading from storage supplies
• Red and white onion harvests will begin the first week of September

Colorado

• Fresh run onion harvests are underway
• Harvests will continue through late September before transitioning to storage supplies

Oranges

The domestic Valencia crop is experiencing elevated cosmetic defects, while imported oranges are showing increased scarring and lighter color upon arrival. Although these issues are primarily cosmetic and do not affect internal quality, they may impact appearance. Growers are actively sorting affected fruit and shipping the best quality available. Product is experience 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, puff/crease, and over maturity are being driven by previous wet weather conditions.
• Fruit may appear sound at packing but can begin breaking down days later
• While these defects can be found in both grades, they are more prevalent in choice grade fruit

Imports

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

Red and Yellow Potatoes

MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available in Idaho, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Overall supplies are increasing as production ramps up on new crop in several regions with more areas coming on board soon. Markets are declining in all regions as supplies improve.

Idaho

• MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available
• New crop supplies are heavy to A-size with smaller sizing improving daily
• Quality is very good

Wisconsin

• MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available
• A-size potatoes dominate early shipments
• Excellent quality to start the season

Minnesota

• MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available
• Adequate volume on all sizes across the board
• Outstanding quality on both colors
• Supplies will be available until late September to early October

Washington

• Production of new crop red and yellow continues to ramp up
• Size profile for both red and yellow leaning to larger A-size to start the season
• Quality is good on both colors

Texas

• Season will wrap up at the end of this month
• Good size profile for both colors available
• Quality continues to be excellent

Upcoming Regions

• Colorado harvests will start in early September
• The Canadian season will start by mid-September
• North Dakota production will follow in early October

Strawberries

Strawberries remain in a demand-exceeds-supply situation as the Salinas/Watsonville growing region moves past peak production. Additionally, fruit quality is being impacted by elevated levels of soft skin and bruising, resulting in increased quality concerns across the market.

Watsonville/Salinas

• Quality is fair-good, with minor bruising and soft skin
• Quality defects have come from humid mornings and warm weather and will be present for the remainder of the season

• Soft skin and bruising are being reported
• Fruit may appear acceptable at the time of packing but can break down several days later
• Expect strong demand and high prices through the remainder of the season
• Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns

Santa Maria, California 

• Quality is good at the initial start of the season
• Bruising and uneven ripening are the major concerns
• Volume will not be ready for another two to three weeks
• Expect strong demand and high markets through the remainder of the season

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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