Asparagus

Markets continue to rise as jumbo and extra-large sizes remain limited in Mexico. Jumbo availability is better out of Peru via Miami ports.

Mexico

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Asparagus is available out of Baja; packer label is being substituted as needed
• Jumbo and extra-large stocks remain limited due to residual effects of weather and aging crowns; relief is expected over the next several weeks as new growing regions begin
• New‑crop Mexicali jumbo and extra‑large sizes are projected to begin crossing as early as next week, helping ease pressure on older growing regions currently experiencing shortages
• Size distribution remains skewed towards small and standard-sized spears
• Quality is poor to fair; undersized, dehydrated spears have been reported, as well as spreading/seeding tips
• The Caborca season will begin in mid- to late January, helping to alleviate current jumbo/extra-large shortages
• Expect higher pricing and availability of jumbo/extra-large sizes

Peru

• Supplies are plentiful out of Peru with a better sizing profile; significantly higher volumes of jumbos are landing at East Coast ports
• FOB Miami pricing is generally cheaper than the West Coast
• Quality is good
  • Spears are firm with minimal spreading/seeding
  • Peruvian shelf-life is shorter due to long ocean transit
• Expect lower pricing than Mexico, but markets will generally follow the upward trend we are seeing out West

Brussels Sprouts

Prices are expected to ease over the next several weeks as demand falls and the Mexican sprout season ramps up. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are sporadically available; packer label is being substituted where needed.

• The Salinas season has ended; production out of Mexico will increase over the next several weeks
• Imported Guatemalan sprouts remain available at South Texas and Florida shipping points; Mexican imports will steadily increase throughout this month
• Overall supplies are expected to increase by mid-January
• The quality of remaining product harvested in California is fair at best; discoloration, puffiness, and seeder remain in current market supplies
• Quality on upcoming Mexican product is great
• Expect gradual price relief and better availability over the next several weeks with load volume out of Mexico by late January and availability over the next several weeks with load volume out of Mexico by late January

Carrots

West Coast carrot supplies will be limited for the next two weeks. Carrot growing districts are forecast to receive a series of heavy rain events starting Tuesday, December 23 through Friday, December 26. Expect harvesting delays, tight supplies, and higher markets for the next two weeks.

• The San Joaquin Valley season will experience lower-than-normal yields caused by heavy rainfall
  • Expect harvesting delays and possible harvesting cancelations due to poor field conditions
  • Both commodity and processed packs are impacted
• Supplies are expected to be back to normal once field conditions and weather improves over the next two weeks
• Additional order lead-time is suggested (72 hours) due to the limited supplies

Cara Cara Oranges

Cara Cara orange season has begun; supplies will ship through late April. The Cara Cara variety is a cousin to the Moro, a.k.a. blood orange, and was created by cross-pollinating Washington Navels and Brazilian Bahia Navels.

• External color is comparable to that of Navel oranges, in fact it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference until they are cut open
• Their pink flesh is juicy and looks similar to a grapefruit, without the bitter flavor
• Cara Caras have a high sugar content, low acid, and sweet, berry-like notes
• Pricing is a bit higher than the Navel market due to their premium taste and sweetness
• Early season quality is excellent; supplies are ample

Celery

Celery supplies are limited following high winds and excessive rainfall in Oxnard, California.

• MFC and RSS Celery is available
• Oxnard fields received 4 to 6” of rainfall last week along with wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour
  • Crop damage and reduced harvests resulted last week following the severe weather
  • Many mature fields had stalks knocked over (celery lodging); long stalk varieties were impacted more than standard length
  • Some younger fields were flooded; growers are still assessing the damage to determine long term impacts
  • Additional rain is forecast this week in Oxnard; 1” total between Wednesday and Thursday, with traces amounts Friday and Saturday
• Santa Maria, CA production continues year-round
• Arizona-California desert region harvest is ramping up, with additional growers starting harvest last week
• Florida production started mid-December and continues to increase
• Expect continued elevated markets in the coming weeks until Oxnard production recovers

Green Onions

Markets continue to rise as availability remains tight due to reduced holiday labor and border-crossing delays. RSS Green Onions are available, packer label is being substituted when needed.

• Seasonal labor shortages during year-end holidays are impacting harvest volumes; field and packing crews are operating with reduced personnel
• Intermittent border delays have caused some supply chain interruptions
• The Mexicali growing region received moderate rainfall this past week, compounding some harvest and packing delays
• Quality ranges from fair to average; onions previously harvested in wet conditions are more susceptible to early decay and mildew
• Expect persistently high pricing and limited availability over the next two weeks as supplies recover and crews return to work after the holidays

Oranges

California’s San Joaquin Valley and Southern California citrus growing districts are forecast to receive a series of rain events starting Wednesday, December 31 through Wednesday, January 7. The California Navel crop is dominated by large sizes; small fruit (88-, 113-, and 138-count oranges) are becoming extremely limited. Size and grade substitutions will soon be requested to fill orders; the Cara Cara and Mandarin varieties are options.

California

• MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Navel Oranges are available 
• Growers cannot harvest fruit when groves are wet
• Overall supplies of 88-, 113-, and 138-count oranges will be extremely limited through the Navel season and into the Valencia season that starts in May
• California Cara Cara oranges and Mandarins will be viable substitutions for West Coast orders
• Mexican, Florida, and Texas juice oranges will also be options
• Navel quality is very good; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
• Expect elevated markets for choice and fancy grade fruit as well as small fruit (88-, 113-, and 138-supplies)

Mexico

• Early sweet oranges are available in Nogales, Arizona
• Great quality is forecast; sugar levels will range from 12-13 Brix
• Prices will be comparable to those in Florida and Texas

Florida

• The new crop Valencia season will begin in late January
• Stocks will be dominated by 138-count and smaller sizes
• Fair quality is predicted; the majority of fruit will be choice and standard grades
• Prices will be comparable to those in Mexico and Texas

Texas

• Valencia oranges will ship through April
• Quality is good; sugar levels range from 11-12 Brix
• Expect steady markets and tight supplies

Strawberries

Rain is forecast for the Santa Maria and Oxnard, California regions from Friday, January 2 through Tuesday, January 6.

Santa Maria/Oxnard

• MFC Strawberries will not be available through early next week  
• These regions are expected to receive over 2.5 inches of rain; most growers will cancel harvests scheduled for today through Tuesday, and potentially through the entire week of January 5
• Mexican fruit will be brought to California to fill orders; these consolidated berries will have 48 to 72 hours of reduced shelf-life due to transfer times from Mexico to California
• California-grown strawberries will include decay, pin rot, and water damage
• Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Markon DCs are advised to load out of South Texas or Florida, if possible
• Expect strong demand and elevated markets through the next two weeks

Mexico/South Texas

• Volume will increase through mid-January
• Size is small-medium (19 to 25 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
• Quality continues to improve weekly as we peak season nears
• 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

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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