Bell Peppers

Red bell pepper markets are elevated; next week’s cooler weather will push up California markets. Green bell peppers are abundant on both coasts; prices are low. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Red Bells

• California’s Coachella region will wind down over the next two weeks
  • Quality is average due to older plants
  • Temperatures are expected to drop to the mid-60s with rain next week, which will affect yields and quality
• Western Mexico is shipping limited quantities, mostly from Baja fields
  • The Culiacan season will ramp up at the end of December
  • Next week’s high temperatures will help ripen Culiacan crops
• Supplies are tight in Central Mexico; 11-pound greenhouse packs dominate availability
• Florida stocks are sporadic as most fields are overripe
• Expect high prices over the next two weeks due to weather and harvesting transitions from California to Western Mexico

Green Bells

• Western Mexico is shipping abundant supplies of all sizes available; quality is very good
• Florida production is steady; quality is good
• California’s Coachella season has ended
• Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas) is dominated by medium and choice grade sizes
• Expect continued low pricing over the holidays

Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons

The offshore melon season continues to face inconsistency as weather challenges during the growing cycle have reduced fruit set, leading to lower yields and a smaller size profile. As a result, markets remain firm heading into the holiday period.

Cantaloupe

Central America

• Offshore cantaloupe production remains limited due to weather impacts earlier in the season
• Large-sized fruit, particularly 9-count and jumbo 9-count, remains scarce with 12-counts more readily available
• Fruit quality is generally strong, with firm texture and high suger levels
• Prices are expected to remain firm as limited availability of larger fruit and lighter overall production continue to support pricing

Honeydew

Central America

• Honeydew supplies remain constrained as offshore production ramps up
• Large fruit, including four- and five-counts, is limited with availability skewing toward smaller sizes
• Market conditions will remain firm through the holidays

Mexico

• Production is wrapping up in Northern Mexico
• Supplies from Jalisco and Michoacán will begin shipping next week
• The harvesting transition south will shift availability from primarily eight-count fruit to mostly five-count and some six-count honeydews
• Prices should hold at current levels as larger fruit remains scarce and overall southern production is lower than northern volume

Citrus

As the California Navel season progresses, supplies of small fruit (113- and 138-count oranges) will become limited. Lemons are being harvested in all three major California growing regions (the San Joaquin Valley, Southern California, and the California desert region).

Oranges

• MFC and ESS Navel Oranges are available
• Stocks are being shipped out of Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas
• Small sizes (113- through 138-count) will tighten in January
• Expect great quality and rising markets for small sizes through January

Lemons

• MFC and ESS Lemons are available  
• California supplies are dominated by small sizes (140- through 165-count fruit); markets for 95- through 115-count stocks remain steady
• Quality is excellent
• Expect steady markets and ample supplies through January

Grapes

Prices will continue climbing as the California season winds down. Expect tight supplies through December.

California

• MFC and ESS Grapes are available
• Green grape shipments have ended

• Red grapes will remain available until late December
• Portioned grapes will ship through late January
• Quality is good; some soft/damaged fruit is being reported
• Expect markets to inch up through the end of the season

Offshore/Peru/Chile

• Green grapes have begun shipping
• Red grapes will become available in early January
• Portioned grapes will enter the market in late January
• Expect tight supplies and rising prices through December

Limes

Prices remain firm as supplies tighten. Seasonal harvesting disruptions are impacting availability heading into the holiday period, requiring additional lead time for planning and harvesting coordination. MFC and ESS Limes are available.

Mexico (into South Texas)

• Crossings have slowed, tightening short-term availability and limiting options across most size ranges
• Larger sizes (110- through 175-count fruit) are more prevalent, while small sizes (230- and 250-count limes) are becoming increasingly limited week to week
• Skin breakdown and oil spotting are being reported, as well as occasional stylar-end issues following rain; these issues are resulting in reduced shelf-life
• Crews are performing additional grading for quality, increasing costs across all sizes amid lower yields and higher labor expenses
• The Christmas and New Year holidays both fall on Thursdays, significantly disrupting normal harvesting schedules in Mexico; many growing regions shut down around the holidays
• Little to no harvesting is expected December 24–26, with only limited activity occurring immediately before and after the holiday, further tightening supplies through the year’s end

Colombia

• Packer label limes are available for loading out of Florida
• Sizing is well-balanced
• Minimal scarring or blanching has been reported

Mixed Berries

Mixed berry prices are stabilizing; supplies are plentiful.

Blackberries

• Mexican quality is good; softness is minor problem

• California’s Watsonville season has ended
• Markets are steady

Blueberries

• Yields are increasing in Mexico; quality is good

• Peruvian shipments are winding down
• Chilean harvesting has begun
• Pricing is stable

Raspberries

• Mexican quality is strong
  • Fruit is firm
  • Leaky berries are an occasional issue
• Watsonville’s growing season has ended
• Quality is very good out of Baja, Mexico
• Expect level markets

Strawberries

Rain is forecast for the Santa Maria and Oxnard, California regions from Tuesday, December 23 through Friday, December 26. Growers will pack ahead of the rain to ensure better quality. Expect stocks to tighten and prices to climb.

Santa Maria/Oxnard

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Quality concerns include decay, pin rot, and water damage
• Size is small-medium (18 to 24 berries per one-pound clamshell)
• Strawberries will be brought from Mexico to Santa Maria to fill orders
• Expect markets to increase slowly

Mexico/South Texas

• Volume will increase through December and reach its peak in mid-January
• Quality concerns include over-ripening, with light bruising
• Size is small-medium (19 to 25 berries per one-pound clamshell)
• Expect elevated pricing and tight stocks as Mexico helps fill orders from California

Florida

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Volume is rising
• Quality is improving; concerns include white shoulders and green tips
• Size is small-medium (17 to 25 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
• Expect pricing to inch up as Florida supplements California shortages

Specialty Citrus

Specialty citrus varieties, including Mandarins, Cara Cara oranges, and blood oranges are available through June to supplement lemon and California Navel orange orders.

Mandarins

• The season runs from November to June
• Growers are currently shipping out of California
• All sizes are ample
• Quality is excellent; current sugar levels range from 11-12 Brix

Cara Cara Oranges

• Production takes place from December to June
• Growers are currently shipping out of California
• Supplies are dominated by small sizes (88- through 113-count fruit)
• Quality is excellent; current sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix

Blood Oranges

• Growers harvest from December to June
• Suppliers are currently shipping out of California
• Stocks are dominated by small sizes (113- through 138-count fruit)
• Quality is excellent; current sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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