Broccoli

• Yields remain down amid cold weather; a slight warming trend across the desert regions should help spur growth
• Markets remain elevated with unseasonal demand; expect markets to tail off as the new year begins
• Low night-time temperatures have decreased crown size and reduced harvestable product per acre
• Value-added broccoli will contain smaller and tighter florets

Brussels sprouts

• Production is winding down in the Salinas Valley and Santa Maria, California
• Harvesting continues to ramp up in Mexico
• The current size profile is balanced; small, medium, and jumbo sizes are readily available
• Overall quality is strong; some lots are exhibiting insect pressure and off color
• Expect weaker markets in the coming weeks as supplies continue to increase in Mexico

Celery

• Oxnard, California is the primary growing region; disease (fusarium) pressure is dramatically reducing harvestable yields
• Santa Maria, California harvest will continue year-round
• Arizona and California desert production is underway
• Florida production is ongoing; size profile is currently small and production will not ramp up to normal outputs until early January
• Despite multiple areas harvesting, expect continued elevated markets into January due to limited supplies in California and Florida

Citrus

Forecasts call for rain in California’s citrus growing regions over the next two weeks. Heavier and more frequent rain is anticipated in the San Joaquin Valley. Expect supplies to tighten and markets to strengthen over the next 10-14 days. Advanced ordering is recommended for orange coverage going into next week (1/2-1/7).

Oranges

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Navel Oranges are available
• Approximately 90% of California oranges are grown in the San Joaquin Valley
• Rain will limit crews’ ability to harvest for the next two weeks, slowing production; orchards need at least two days without rain to harvest
• Growers have picked ahead of the rain for orders this week; those supplies will diminish by week’s end
• Demand is expected to exceed supply by next week
• Advanced ordering is recommended
• Current quality is excellent; sugar levels are high and gas times are minimal

Lemons

• MFC Lemons are available  
• Production continues in all three areas of California (San Joaquin Valley, Southern California, and Arizona desert region)
• Rain will slow production in the Central Valley; adequate supplies expected out of Southern California and the desert regions
• Markets are expected to climb over the next two weeks
• Supplies should meet demand through the next 14 days
• Quality remains excellent

Desert Region Rain 

The Arizona/California desert growing region forecast is calling for rain showers to begin late Tuesday, December 27 with potential rainfall amounts to reach over 1.0” through Saturday, December 31. Heavy rain is expected Wednesday, December 28. Markon suppliers of commodity and value-added lettuce, tender leaf, and other row crop items are packing orders ahead of schedule to minimize delays or product shortages. Harvesting crews will work to keep boxes as clean and dry as possible this week.

Markon inspectors will be monitoring field conditions in the coming days and will continue to update as needed on any rain-related quality or shelf-life challenges such as:

• Bottom rot/decay
• Increased dirt/mud in product
• Increased mildew pressure
• Premature pinking
• Shortened shelf-life

Florida – Cold Weather Forecast

The arctic cold front sweeping the nation this week is expected to bring freezing evening temperatures as far south as Central Florida heading into this holiday weekend.

• Overnight temperatures around 32F are expected December 23-25 and may damage plants in central regions of Florida

• • Crops include bell peppers, cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, squash, strawberries, and tomatoes
  • Expect harvesting delays as crews start later during freezing conditions
  • Strawberry volume will decrease yet quickly rebound with warmer weather forecast for early next week
• South Florida production started and will not experience frost conditions this weekend

Green onions

• Ready-Set-Serve Washed & Trimmed Green Onions are available
• Harvesting crews are limited as many employees take time off during the holiday season, through the end of the calendar year
• Supplies and quality continue to be strong
• Expect slightly elevated markets until labor availability returns to normal in early to mid-January

Melons

Guatemalan cantaloupe and honeydew supplies are ample; prices are steady.

Honeydews

• Honeydews are now being harvested out of both Mexico and Guatemala
• Mexican supplies are snug while Guatemalan supplies are plentiful
• The Mexican season is expected to finish up in January before moving offshore until the domestic season begins in early May
• Quality is fair out of both regions; ground spotting, wind scarring, and bruising are occasional issues
• Expect honeydew pricing to increase once transition is complete in mid-January

Cantaloupe

• Guatemalan cantaloupes are now arriving in Florida and Southern California
• Mexican supplies are being used to fill orders when necessary
• Guatemalan cantaloupe quality is fair; bruising and overripe fruit are occasional issues due to long travel times
• Expect the market to remain steady for the next several weeks

Northwest Onion and Potato Holiday Loading Hours

Northwest onion and potato suppliers will be closed Saturday, December 31 through Monday, January 2 in observance of the New Year’s holiday.

• Suppliers will be operating with regular loading hours on the Friday, December 30
• Carriers are strongly advised to call packing sheds in advance for product availability and loading appointments
• Advanced order lead time is highly recommended for order fulfillment
• Adverse weather is forecast in much of the Northwest for the next couple weeks, affecting outbound trucks
• Tuesday, January 3 will be extremely slow loading days as suppliers will not produce over the holiday weekend

Onions

MFC Onions are being shipped out of storage from Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Supplies are expected to remain available through early April.

Northwest

• Onion quality continues to be excellent; supplies possess solid, globe-like shape, and firm texture
• Current demand has eased with holiday demand subsiding; however, markets remain firm and stable
• Expect steady pricing for the next few weeks, followed by a gradual increase mid-January, as suppliers assess remaining storage stocks

Other Regions

• Mexican onions are expected to start shipping in early February, while the Texas season is on track to begin in mid-March
• California/Imperial Valley onions are estimated to start shipping in late April
• The New Mexico season is forecast to begin in early June

Strawberries

Demand exceeds supply in all California growing regions due to recent and forecasted rain. Expect Florida volume to decrease as rain hits the growing region. Mexico will help fill the shortage from California and Florida.

Oxnard, California

• Harvesting will be extremely limited in Oxnard over the next two weeks
• Growers will be relying on transfers of Mexican-grown fruit to supplement California shipments through early January
• Quality continues to be a challenge; concerns include excessive bruising and pin-rot
• New crop harvesting is expected to begin in early January

Santa Maria, California

• Rain in the forecast is expected to end the Santa Maria growing season
• Expect new crop fruit to start in late January to early February

Central Mexico (Loading in South Texas)

• All DCs are advised to load out of South Texas due to supplies and quality
• Quality is good; issues include white shoulders and occasional overripening
• Expect to see pricing increase as Mexico fills the shortage from California and Florida

Florida

• MFC Strawberries are available  
• Multiple rain events are forecast over the next six to seven days; harvesting delays are expected

• Quality is good; issues include white shoulders and occasional overripening
• Packer label will be substituted as needed; plastic clamshells will be substituted for the corrugated packs
• Expect to see markets slowly decline as this region reaches its peak over the next two weeks

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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