Asparagus

Markon First Crop Asparagus is available; markets for larger sizes remain elevated.

Mexico

• Production is winding down in Central Mexico; yields will continue decreasing throughout August
  • Quality is below average; stalks are exhibiting elevated levels of spread tips and seeder
• Production from the southern Baja peninsula is also underway and will continue through October; quality is better due to less heat and rain
  • Sufficient supplies of standard and large sizes are available, but larger sizes are tighter
• High prices are expected to persist another two to three weeks at minimum

Peru

• Peruvian asparagus (shipped into Miami) remains available on the East Coast; yields will increase as southern hemisphere enters their spring season and temperatures increase

Avocados

The transition from the Normal crop to Flora Loca supplies is delayed due to ongoing rain in the Michoacan growing region. Expect significantly higher prices for the next two to three weeks.

Mexico

• Large sizes (32- to 48-count supplies) are increasing, but remain limited
• Small sizes (60- to 70-count stocks) are becoming more plentiful
• Size and grade substitutions may be requested to fill orders
• Orders will be priced day of shipment due to short supplies
• Expect elevated markets over the next two to three weeks

California/Peru

• Yields continue to diminish week over week, as the season will wind down in late August
• The crop is currently dominated by 48- and 60-count No. 1 grade fruit
• Quality is good; checkerboarding (uneven ripening) has been reported
• Expect high prices

Brussels Sprouts

Markon First Crop (MFC) and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are available.

• Domestic production out of the Salinas and Santa Maria valleys has improved significantly
• Even size profiles are being found in the fields and there is good availability on all sizes
• Quality is strong; minimal defects are being found in fields
• Markets are easing, expect pricing to decline steadily throughout August as supplies continue to ramp up

Green Onions

Green onion supplies are poised to tighten up this week and next following rains and strong winds from sporadic thunderstorms in the primary growing region of Mexicali, Mexico.

• Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Washed & Trimmed Green Onions are available; packer label may be substituted when supplies do not meet Markon specifications

• • Rain and wind have wiped out some mature lots
  • Muddy field conditions have prevented harvesting in some fields
  • Increased dirt and mud is expected in some final packs, along with damaged tips
• Ordering for quick turns is recommended through the rest of August as stressed plants will have decreased shelf-life potential
• Expect markets to escalate over the next 7-10 days

Hurricane Debby

Hurricane Debby hit the west coast of Florida Monday morning, August 5, as a category one storm and quickly downgraded to a tropical storm. The storm is heading north, up the east coast through South Georgia and the Carolinas. It will remain in the Carolinas through Friday, August 9.

• Florida growing regions haven’t fully planted to prepare for the fall crop; fields have been draining well and there are no major concerns currently
• South Georgia has already planted for the fall crop, but the storm passed quickly and caused little damage
• South and North Carolina, where the storm is dropping the most rain, is expected to get 12-18 inches of rainfall
  • Summer plantings are in place in both regions and may cause supply disruption this week
  • We will know more about the damage to fall plantings once the storm passes
• Markon will continue to monitor and update as more information becomes available

After spending 24hrs in the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Debby turned west into South Carolina this morning. The storm is heading north, up the east coast through South Georgia and the Carolinas bringing heavy rain and strong winds.

• Florida fields are draining, and no major damages reported at this time
• South Georgia will begin assessing their crops today however little damage is expected since the storm passed quickly, some replanting of fall crops may occur
• North Carolina is expected to get 12-18 inches of rainfall on Thursday
  • Fall crops should be okay however further assessment will occur over the weekend and into next week
  • Thus far, The main growing region around Clinton NC has not received as much rain, around 4-6 inches
• New Jersey and New York are expected to get rain starting today through tomorrow which will slow production of cucumbers, squash and bell pepper
• Expect logistic delays on the east coast as the storm works its way north over the next few days

Mixed Berries

Blackberry stocks remain snug; rain and high humidity are causing quality problems. Mexican-grown raspberries are also being affected by this poor weather. Improved weather in the Pacific North West will help elevate supplies. Raspberry supplies are short but manageable. Blueberry supplies are ample; quality is very good.

Blueberries

• Mexican supplies are sufficient
• Demand is steady; quality is very good
• Pacific Northwest harvesting is at its peak
• Expect markets to remain stable

Blackberries

• Yields are down in Central Mexico
• California supplies are not sufficient to meet current needs
• Quality is fair; soft skins and red cells have been reported
• Pacific Northwest weather will help increase supplies in that region
• Expect supplies to remain tight for another week

Raspberries

• Mexican production has decreased due to rainy and humid weather conditions
• Quality is fair
• Demand is steady; prices are elevated
• Expect supplies to remain tight

Oranges

The California Valencia crop is dominated by large sizes; small fruit (113- and 138-count) remains limited. With many schools starting in the coming weeks, small-size fruit will become extremely scarce. Size, grade, and country of origin substitutions will be necessary to fill orders.

California

• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Valencia Oranges are available
• Supplies are dominated by large sizes (56- to 88-count); smaller sizes (113- to 138-count) are limited
• Expect 113- and 138-count oranges to become extremely scarce once schools start
• Size, grade, and country of origin substitutions will be necessary to fill orders
• Initial reports project California Navels will begin shipping in mid- to late October
• Expect steady yet elevated markets and extremely limited supplies of all small fruit through early October

Chile/South Africa

• Oranges are being imported into both the East and West Coasts

• 105-count Chilean oranges are equivalent to domestic 113s
• 125-count Chilean oranges are equivalent to domestic 138s
• Quality is great; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
• Small size offshore fruit is an option to fill the void of domestic fruit

Tomatoes

Tomato growing regions continue to be impacted by extreme weather on both coasts. Strong demand and lack of overabundance is strengthening prices. Markon First Crop (MFC) Tomatoes are available.

California

• Suppliers are experiencing the effects of July heat waves with bloom drops, lighter yields, and smaller sizing
• Quality is average with additional grading occurring due to sun damage
• Lower yields are anticipated August 20 due to bloom drops

Mexico

• Mexican round and Roma volume is light as the Southern Baja season has ended and the Central/East Mexico region is recovering from poor weather
• Grape and cherry tomato supplies are improving with good quality

East Coast

• East Coast suppliers have adequate supply, but Tropical Storm Debby will slow production this week
• Western North Carolina had rain on Sunday, stopping harvest and limiting supplies
• Eastern North Carolina is finished on round tomatoes; new plantings should resume at end of August
• Tennessee has steady supply and should remain so for August and September
• Georgia is evaluating recently planted fields (for October harvest) after Tropical Storm Debby drenched fields on Monday
• Expect higher prices over the next two weeks

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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