Asparagus

Prices continue to rise this week, especially for the large and jumbo sizes. Markon First Crop (MFC) Asparagus is available out of Baja, Mexico.

Mexico

• Product is being sourced primarily from Central Mexico and Baja
• Prices continue to escalate
  • Production in both regions has moved past the seasonal peak; growers are breaking into new, immature lots
  • Large sizes will remain limited and higher-priced over the next 7-10 days at minimum
  • Expect to see twice the price for the largest sizes (jumbo and extra-large) as that of the smallest sizes (small and standard)
• Mexican asparagus is not being targeted for additional duties by the U.S. government at this time

Peru

• Yields are low, limiting supplies shipped into the East Coast and driving prices higher
• Quality ranges from fair to poor, but is improving with cooler weather
• Production is focused in the north of the country

Bell Peppers

Red bell pepper volume is low due to snug transitions in California, markets are elevated. Green bells have abundant supply in multiple growing regions. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Red Bells

• California’s Central Valley is transitioning from Bakersfield to Fresno this week; Oxnard is underway with light production
• Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas) has light volume
• Canadian greenhouses are dealing with low stocks due to lingering heat effects from early July
• Expect elevated prices to slowly ease over the next two weeks as new regions get established

Green Bells

• Volume is very good in the Midwest; quality is great
• Northeastern production is very good, yields are strong
• Supplies are good in western North Carolina and Kentucky
• California has good supply and quality out of Fresno, Oxnard, and Hollister growing regions
• Central Mexico has light supply
• Expect lower markets over the next several weeks

Blackberries

The blackberry supply situation remains challenging. Product arriving from Mexico continues to show quality issues, and similar concerns are being seen with fruit from Oxnard, California. The Pacific Northwest region has yet to come into play; we do not expect any volume from that area until later this week or potentially early next week.

• Mexican supplies are extremely short
  • Quality is poor due to humidity and leaking fruit; red cell is being reported at shipping point
  • Heat-related issues include softness and cell regression (black cells shrink and turn red)
  • Fungal development has been reported
• California’s Central Valley has ended due to heat

• The Pacific Northwest is scheduled to start in a light way toward the end of this week; reports are positive
• Markets will remain tight; quality will be fair at best

Broccoli

California

• Markon Best Available (MBA) Broccoli is being harvested in California’s Salinas Valley; elevated levels of pin rot, yellowing, and systemic mildew are being reported
• Prices are low but poised to inch higher through August as the above-mentioned problems lower yields
• Pest pressure from Diamondback moth pupa and larvae remains a sporadic issue
• Production is also underway in the Santa Maria Valley, with similar quality detriments as the Salinas crop
• West Coast volume will remain lower through mid-August in response to regional and local harvests taking place across the country
• Expect mostly steady prices this week, then the market will begin increasing next week and climb through the end of the month as demand shifts back to the West Coast

Mexico

• Mexican-grown MBA Broccoli continues to ship into South Texas
• Prices have slipped following weaker demand and now present a slight cost savings relative to West Coast broccoli
• Expect a wide range of quality
  • Many lots exhibit significant hollow core, branchy crown structures, and cat-eye brought on by excessive heat during the growth cycle
  • Persistent heat and rain are subsiding, which will promote better quality over the next 14-21 days

East Coast/Midwest/Canada

• Various regions will experience short growing seasons through the summer

• The Maine and Michigan seasons are underway and will run through October; early-season quality is great
• Limited harvests are also underway in Eastern Canada (Ontario)
• Growers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York will begin production by early August and continue through September

Carrots

Carrot supplies will be harvested in multiple growing regions over the next four months. Growers and processors forecast great quality and plentiful volume for all sizes in both commodity and value-added packs.

California

• The spring harvest will wrap up in two weeks in Central California before transitioning to the summer season in Southern California
• Quality, texture, and color are all excellent
• Consistent supplies are forecast for the next three months
• Expect markets to remain steady as demand spreads to multiple growing regions

Arizona

• The season will wrap up this week due to excessive heat
• Quality is average at best; heat-related problems include softness and dark spots
• Production will start again in January

Michigan

• Production has begun in a limited manner; the season will run until November
• Early quality reports have been positive
• Size is small but will increase as the season ramps up over the next three weeks
• Expect high prices as the season begins; markets will inch down as production increases

Washington

• The season has started in a limited manner and will run until late November
• Early quality reports have been positive
• Size is small but will increase as the season ramps up over the next three weeks
• Markets will start elevated, but ease as the season progresses

Canada

• Harvesting has started in a limited manner; the season will run through October
• Early quality reports have been positive
• Size is small but will increase as the season ramps up over the next three weeks
• Expect high prices as the season begins; markets will inch down as production increases

Cilantro

Cilantro markets are stable but elevated after some growers were forced to skip acres that were exhibiting seeder problems, and pushed into younger fields.

• Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Cilantro is available
• Recent high temperatures and abnormal humidity across California have resulted in elevated levels of seeder in mature fields
• Growers are also reporting seeder in Salinas and Santa Maria and Salinas, California, though the issue is not as widespread as in Oxnard
• Fires burning in southern California are creating lingering smoke and ash-fall that may become a further detriment to growth, potentially helping to keep markets higher
• Elevated markets are anticipated for the next 7-10 days in all regions, until younger plantings mature to meet demand

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Green leaf prices remain relatively steady. Iceberg markets continue to decline due to increased supplies and softer West Coast demand. Romaine prices are trending upward, as some growers are currently experiencing short supplies.

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Premium Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces are available; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted when needed due to low weights
• Iceberg quality is good; growth crack, insect pressure, mildew pressure, and seeder are present in some lots
• Current demand in the Salinas Valley varies, depending on lettuce type:
  • Green leaf demand is level; supplies are sufficient
  • Iceberg demand is weaker as supplies build, and processors are no longer seeking additional acreage to supplement their programs
  • Romaine supplies are down compared to previous weeks—varying by grower—which is pushing markets slightly higher
• Regional seasons in Colorado, Michigan, the East Coast, and Canada are ongoing; quality and yields are typical for each growing region
• Green leaf prices are expected to remain steady in the near term
• Iceberg markets will likely continue to decline into next week, while romaine prices are projected to rise gradually

Limes

Lime supplies are tightening in Veracruz, Mexico. New crop yields are low, resulting in reduced overall volume. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Limes are available.

Mexico (into South Texas)

• Increased bloom and fruit drop in the new crop have reduced overall supplies
• Medium-size supplies (175- to 200-count limes) dominate availability, while large sizes (110-count fruit) and small limes (250-count stocks) are limited due to early maturity and sporadic weather events
• Rain has caused quality issues, including skin breakdown, oil spots, blanching, and overall lighter color
• Markets are expected to remain steady across all sizes, but smaller limes will tighten; most fruit will increase in size due to heavy rain

Colombia

• Packer label limes are available for loading out of Florida; supplies are sufficient
  • Small- and medium-sized fruit dominate the crop, but all sizes are available
  • Hurricane season has increased rain in the growing region, but quality remains strong with clean skin; scarring and blanching are occasional issues
  • Colombia’s mountainous topography ensures rainfall runs off quickly, preventing water from sitting on the fruit and preserving its quality

Potatoes

Markon First Crop (MFC) Burbank Potatoes are available in Idaho; new crop MFC Norkotah Potatoes are shipping from Washington. As the industry transitions from storage to new crop potatoes, advanced orders and tight inventories are highly recommended.

Idaho

• MFC Burbanks are shipping from storage
• Supplies will wind down over the next two to three weeks
• Large storage crop supplies (40- to 70-count as well as 10-ounce No. 2s) remain tight; 80- and 90-count prices are rising due to strong demand
• Limited quantities of new crop Norkotahs are now shipping; small sizes will increase through August

Washington

• New crop MFC Norkotah Potatoes are now available
• Although stocks are snug, there is a good mixture of all sizes and grades on the market
• Prices are holding steady

Colorado

• Storage crop Norkotahs are extremely limited
• Expect low volume and sporadic availability through August, especially for large, 40- to 70-count supplies
• Markets remain active for all sizes and grades
• New crop supplies will enter the market in early September

Wisconsin

• The storage crop season has ended; suppliers are sourcing from other regions to fill mixer orders
• New crop stocks are expected to begin shipping the week of August 18
• Size will be dominated with 90-count and smaller potatoes; larger sizes will not become plentiful until late September/early October
• Prices are elevated

Quality

• Storage potato quality remains very good; air checks and pressure/shoulder bruising will be seen sporadically in remaining supplies (both Norkotahs and Burbanks) from all growing regions
  • Air checks are tiny, thumbnail-like cracks that are caused by stress due to abrupt temperature changes
  • Pressure/shoulder bruising (soft, external indents) results from constant contact with adjacent potatoes or the floor while raw product sits in storage piles

• Fresh-run quality is excellent; occasional skinning and excess moisture may be observed in fresh-run potatoes
  • Potatoes release moisture as they cool, which gives the potato a wet look, and can cause a light, white surface residue to develop that is easily brushed off
  • The white residue will dissipate as 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 production will be extremely limited
  • Fresh-run Norkotah quality is strong
  • No. 2 supplies will increase once potatoes are shipped out of storage

Squash

Zucchini and yellow squash markets are up slightly due to stronger demand. Markon First Crop (MFC) Zucchini and Yellow Squash are available.

• New Jersey is seeing lighter volumes with fair quality
• New York production is good with good quality
• Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Wisconsin are shipping ample supplies; quality is very good
• California’s Santa Maria has lighter yields due to cool evening temperatures (low 50s)
  • Quality is good; scarring is minimal

• Baja growers are shipping light volume crossing into Otay Mesa, California

• Expect steady to slightly higher prices over the next week

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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