Avocados

Avocado harvest out of the Mexico state of Michoacan has been suspended for the day by the APEAM (Association of Avocado Exporting Producers and Packers of Mexico) due to a security threat. This is a rapidly evolving situation; Markon will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

Mexico

• All USDA inspection personnel have been withdrawn, preventing avocado packing and shipments from Michoacan to the United States
• Michoacan supplies approximately 75-80% of the avocados imported into the U.S from Mexico
• There is currently enough product inventory available to supply in the near term if operations resume quickly
• Shipment delays and potential avocado shortages could develop if the suspension continues for an extended period

Broccoli

Broccoli market activity accelerated late last week as demand strengthened significantly. Supplies have tightened, and markets are expected to trend higher this week. Markon First Crop (MFC) Broccoli is available in Salinas, California.

• Demand increased during the latter half of last week, resulting in tighter supplies and rising prices
• California yields remain below normal; current demand is exceeding available supply
• California quality ranges from average to good

• Diamondback moth pressure has been observed but is not a significant concern at this time
• Continued high temperatures may increase diamondback activity, discoloration, and dehydration
• Maine production is expected to ramp up this week, which should provide some relief
• Mexican broccoli supplies into South Texas are adequate; however, quality ranges from average to poor; reported defects include cat-eye, browning, and widespread hollow core
• Expect prices to increase throughout the week

California Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons

Markets will remain low for the next several weeks as abundant supplies are shipping from the San Joaquin Valley. Markon First Crop (MFC) Cantaloupe and Honeydew are available.

Cantaloupe

• Harvesting is at peak capacity
• Large sizes (9-count and jumbo 9-count) are most plentiful; 15-count melons will remain tighter until second cuts are made
• Quality is great with tight seed cavities and internal sugars hitting 13-16% Brix
• Markets have been inching down due to increasing volume, but will strengthen slightly as supply stabilizes

Honeydew

• Volume has increased
• Five- and jumbo five-count melons are ample, but eight-count fruit is extremely scarce; smaller sizes will become more readily available in a couple of weeks
• Quality is good; sugar levels range from 12-14% Brix
• Prices will remain steady next week; supply is meeting demand

California New Crop Garlic

California garlic is harvested from June through August, with some product held in fresh storage before controlled-atmosphere storage is opened for year-round supply. New crop garlic is expected to transition approximately August 9, 2026, and may carry a stronger garlic odor compared to long-term storage product this is currently shipping. Markon members should expect the typical early-season, fresh-run characteristics outlined below in RSS (Ready Set Serve) Peeled Garlic.

• New crop production is expected to start on August 9, 2026

• Fresh-run garlic will differ from storage garlic at this early point in the season
  • Bulbs and cloves may contain more moisture
  • Outer skins may not be fully cured

• Cloves are typically more tender and harder to peel
  • Surface sheen or translucent spots may appear
  • Light discoloration can occur from cracking and peeling

• Subtle moisture may be visible in the bag
• Garlic odor may be stronger in the first several weeks of the season
• Shelf life may be shorter than normal until the crop completes the curing process
• Markon recommends maintaining the cold chain when handling, and increase product turns to maximize early season yields

California Strawberries

Cooler temperatures this week are expected to enhance fruit quality by promoting better sizing and firmer skin,

Salinas/Watsonville

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available
• Berry size ranges from medium-large to large; counts average 18 pieces per 1-pound clamshell
• Quality is good; issues include bruising and soft skin
• Past weather issues have crews culling over-ripe berries
• Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Expect markets to slowly rise

Santa Maria

• Limited harvesting is underway
• Shippers are expecting volume in 2-3 week
• Quality has been good to start

Cauliflower

Cauliflower markets strengthened last week due to tighter supplies. Lower yields across California and concerns about quality in key growing regions continue to pressure supply. Expect markets to remain elevated over the next several weeks. Markon Essentials (ESS) Cauliflower is on the market.

Cauliflower

• California yields remain below normal, and current demand is exceeding available supply
• Salinas is experiencing increased demand, and lighter yields are driving the markets higher.

• Diamondback pressure is present but is currently not a significant concern

• Santa Maria is experiencing heavy Diamondback pressure, exacerbated by recent warm weather, reducing yields

• Expect elevated pricing to continue
• Maine production is underway and is expected to increase during the latter half of next week
  • Recent rainfall has delayed harvesting in some areas; production is expected to continue through mid- to late September
• Canadian cauliflower supplies remain strong and are expected to continue into early October

Mandarins

Chilean Mandarins remain in a demand-exceeds-supply situation. Prior heavy rain impacted fruit production in Chile, resulting in limited supplies and rising prices.

• The import season will run through November
• Massive rainstorms have made harvesting a logistical challenge
• Crop yields are significantly below historical averages, creating a supply gap between the Clementine and Tango varieties
• Expect market conditions to remain extremely tight over the next three weeks

Mixed Berries

Blackberry supplies are improving rapidly, with Watsonville and the Pacific Northwest now contributing harvest volume and helping alleviate recent shortages. Blueberries and raspberries remain in strong supply, offering excellent quality and consistent availability.

Raspberries

• Mexican quality has been good
• Baja stocks have excellent quality as well
• Watsonville’s number have increased with excellent quality
• Expect markets to remain steady

Blueberries

Mexico

• High temperatures persist, with some reaching 95 degrees
• Volume is past its peak
• Quality is fair
• Expect pricing to ease

Pacific Northwest

• Harvesting has begun; quality is excellent
• Production is in full swing in Hermiston, Oregon, while growers in British Columbia are starting their fifth week
• Quality is excellent
• Expect markets to ease

Peru

• First offshore to arrive this weekend
• We are still weeks away from consistent shipments
• Quality has been reported as good

Blackberries

Mexico

• Quality issues are being reported, such as leaky berries, due to recent heat and rain
• Growers are pruning plants; numbers should rebound in September

Watsonville

• Quality is great, size is large, and flavor is sweet
• Volume has increased, lowering pricing
• Expect this market to slowly decrease

Potatoes

Markon First Crop (MFC) Potatoes are available in Idaho and Washington. Markets are rising; demand is active as storage crops wind down. Markon recommends ordering for quick turns and keeping inventory tight due to shorter shelf life. Advanced lead time is encouraged.

Idaho

• Storage crop MFC Burbank Potatoes are being shipped
• Burbanks are the sole variety in Idaho; size is leaning heavily to 100-count and smaller as well as No. 2 grade stocks
• Pressure and shoulder bruising are being reported in late-season storage supplies, but overall quality remains strong
• Expect rising markets over the next six weeks; especially in 40- through 70-count sizes
• New crop production will start in the next 10-14 days
  • Western Idaho growers will start shipping limited volume the week of August 10
  • Most of the state will begin production the week of August 17

Washington

• Storage crop MFC Norkotah Potatoes are available
• Demand is strong for all sizes
• Quality is good; pressure bruising in an occasional issue
• Prices are rising
• New crop harvesting will begin next week

Colorado & Wisconsin

• Active demand is limiting availability
• Mixer volume is shipping in all sizes
• Quality is good; pressure bruising is an occasional problem
• Prices continue to rise in both regions
• The Colorado storage season is winding down quickly
  • Supplies will be extremely limited through August
  • New crop stocks are expected to start shipping in early September
• Wisconsin new crop harvesting will begin in mid-August

Red and Yellow Potatoes

Markon First Crop (MFC) Red and Yellow Potatoes are available in Idaho and Wisconsin. Availability is increasing as multiple regions are harvesting new crop potatoes. Markets will decline as the season progresses into August.

Idaho

• MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available
• Red storage supplies are limited as the season winds down; new crop red harvests are expected to start in mid-August
• New crop yellow potatoes are now available with improved quality and lower pricing
• Overall quality is very good
• Markets are inching down

Wisconsin

• MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available
• Expect excellent quality to start the season for both red and yellow supplies
• A-size potatoes dominate early shipments
• Volume is ramping up, easing prices

Texas

• Red and yellow production will continue through August
• Quality is excellent; skinning is minimal
• Markets are stable but expected to slowly decline

New crop regions

• Washington and Minnesota production has begun
• Supplies are sufficient
• Quality is very good
• Pricing will decline as supplies increase

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

Squash

Squash is available from multiple summer growing regions. Yellow squash prices are slightly higher than those for zucchini. Markon First Crop (MFC) Zucchini and Yellow Squash are available.

West Coast

• California’s San Joaquin Valley is harvesting new sets this week
  • Overall volume is low
  • Yellow squash supplies are limited
• Santa Maria new crop production is underway; fancy grade supplies are the most readily available
• Quality is good
• Zucchini markets are steady; yellow squash prices are a bit higher

 East Coast

• Markets remain steady; New Jersey will harvest for a few more weeks
• New York production slowed over the weekend, but yields increased towards the end of this week
• Quality is very good
• Favorable growing conditions have yielded sufficient supplies

Midwest

• Volume is high
• Quality is good
• Markets are holding steady

Tomatoes

Tomato markets are steady; growers are harvesting ample supplies in multiple regions. California and Baja growers report a wide variety of sizes on the market; new regional production is helping maintain availability.

Rounds

• East Coast
  • Production is steady in Virginia
  • Northeast harvests are underway; supplies are sufficient
  • Tennessee yields are abundant
  • Midwest production is slowly getting underway
  • Overall quality is good
• Mexico
  • Baja growers are shipping steady supplies; large sizes are the most plentiful
  • Volume ranges from low to moderate in Central Mexico; increases are expected in the next 10 days as new crop fields are harvested
  • Overall quality is good
• California
  • San Joaquin Valley is shipping abundant stocks
  • Large sizes are most common
  • Quality is strong
• Markets are expected to remain steady as new crop volume increases in Tennessee and Central Mexico

Romas

• East Coast
  • Production is steady out of Tennessee and North Carolina
  • Northeastern production is underway; yields are sufficient
  • Volume is slightly above average despite some rain interruptions
  • Quality is best in large sizes, but adequate across all sizes
• Mexico
  • Baja volume remains steady, although some early-start growers are wrapping up their season
  • Central Mexico is shipping steady volume from Jalisco, Nuevo León, and San Luis Potosí
  • Large sizes are most prevalent
• California
  • San Joaquin Valley yields are above average with consistent availability
  • Fruit is clean; extra-large sizes dominate supplies
  • Overall quality is good

Grape and Cherry

• East Coast
  • Virginia is maintaining steady volume
  • Supply is meeting demand
  • Quality is stabilizing and should support great availability over the next few weeks
• Mexico
  • Central Mexico has steady but modest grape tomato volume
  • Baja fields will maintain consistent production into August
  • Markets are expected to remain balanced

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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