Artichokes

Artichoke supplies are tight; 24-count and smaller sizes are limited.

• Continued temperate weather has helped stocks increase
• Suppliers have begun packing more 18- to 24-count packs due to the current crop profile
• Expect low but slightly better volume week over week out of all growing regions through the end of the year
  • Oxnard, California and Mexico are the primary growing areas at this time; supplies are limited
  • The Castroville season has ended
  • Mexican supplies are supplementing orders
• The heirloom perennial-variety season has ended; expect harvesting to return in early spring

Asparagus

Prices for small- and standard-size asparagus have fallen; the market for extra-large and jumbo sizes ranges from steady to slightly higher. Peruvian imports are shipping into Miami, Florida, while West Coast production is focused in Baja, Mexico.

Mexico

• Mexico is North America’s primary growing region; supplies are being harvested in the Mexican states of Baja and Sonora
• Size is dominated by small-diameter stalks; large and jumbo sizes are tighter
• Quality is strong but yields are down slightly as cooler weather and shorter days reduce harvestable supplies
• Production will shift towards Central Mexico when the Sonora and Baja harvests wrap at the end of the year

Peru

• The season is winding down in Southern Peru as temperatures climb
  • Most production is moving to fields in Northern Peru
  • Newer, immature fields are yielding smaller diameter stocks
• Short-term heat is forecast, which may increase seeding and spread defects over the next three to five weeks
• FOB pricing is comparable on both coasts

Bell Peppers

Green bell pepper supplies are increasing in Mexico and Florida. Red bell peppers are very snug due to cold weather in California. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

• Mexican supplies are ramping up this week
  • Quality is excellent quality
  • Extra-large and large sizes are prevalent
• The California desert season will wind down over the next week
• Florida is shipping sufficient supplies out the Immokalee and Eastern Florida regions
  • Cool evenings will reduce yields this week
  • All sizes are available
  • Quality is good
• Expect slightly lower markets next week as supplies will overlap during the California/Mexico harvesting transition

Red Bells

• The California desert region is experiencing cold evenings (36-40F) which greatly slows the ripening process
  • Stocks will remain snug over the next 7-10 days
  • Quality is good; extra-large sizes are scarce
• Volume is low in Central Mexico; recent cold weather has caused sizing issues and green casts
• Expect higher markets over the next two weeks

Broccoli and Cauliflower

Current Arizona-California desert region prices are low, but markets for both commodities are set to climb through this week as demand strengthens. Favorable weather is aiding growth; supplies are ample.

Broccoli

• MFC Premium Broccoli Crowns are available in Yuma, Arizona and Mexico (into South Texas)  
• Quality is good; very minimal cat eye, brown bead, yellowing, hollow core, and/or bracketed structure are being observed
• Mexican-grown product is available for loading in South Texas at slightly lower FOB costs; recent varietals have been performing well as this region progresses through their peak production period
• Overall markets are expected to climb over the next two to three weeks
• Barring any heavy storm activity, Mexico should maintain a price advantage through at least mid-December, if not further into January

Cauliflower

• ESS Cauliflower is available in Yuma, Arizona
• Quality of new crop supplies is strong
  • Reports of discoloration/spotting, ricing, and leafy curds are very minimal
  • Head size is consistent
• Prices will increase this week as supply remains steady but demand rises

Brussels Sprouts

The Brussels sprout market has inched down as supplies continue to increase and holiday demand has lapsed between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

• MFC and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are available
• Normal size distribution in the fields is resulting in slightly lower FOB costs for larger-size sprouts
• The domestic seasons are finishing up in Salinas and Santa Maria
• Mexican product is scheduled to enter the market in mid-December and ship through the end of the year
• Prices are forecast to rise slightly in mid-December as demand increases and harvesting begins to transition south

Cara Cara Oranges

Cara Cara orange season has begun in a limited manner; 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 markets are rising as holiday demand strengthens.

• MFC Celery is available out of Coachella and Salinas, California, transferred to Yuma, Arizona
• Oxnard production is in full swing
• Salinas harvests are wrapping up; Santa Maria production will continue year-round
• Arizona/California desert harvests have started in a limited manner; production will ramp up in late December/early January
• Expect markets to be active over the next seven to ten days

Christmas and New Year’s Day Holiday Schedule 2023-2024

The Markon office will observe the Christmas and New Year‘s Day holidays. We will be closed on Monday, December 25, and Monday, January 1. Most suppliers will have limited loading hours on Saturday, December 23 and 30. Normal loading will resume on Tuesday both weeks. All times listed below are Pacific Standard Time (PST). Please refer to the attached matrix regarding order placement deadlines to the Markon office.

Christmas Eve/Day

• Idaho, Oregon, and Washington onion and potato suppliers will be closed on Saturday, December 23 and will remain closed Sunday. Suppliers will be closed Monday, December 25 with normal shipping hours resuming Tuesday, December 26
• All Arizona, California, East Coast, and South Texas suppliers will be closed on Sunday, December 24 and Monday, December 25; no loading will be available

• • Most suppliers will have limited loading hours on Saturday, December 23
  • Normal loading hours will resume on Tuesday, December 26; trucks must call ahead for appointments

• Misionero will close at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 23 and remain closed on Sunday, December 24 and Monday, December 25
  • They will re-open Tuesday, December 26 at 9:00 a.m. for appointment loading
• Taylor Farms will be closed on Christmas Day, December 25

• • Sunday, December 24 will have limited loading hours (8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) and will load on a first come first serve basis

• • Tuesday, December 26 will be regular dock hours and load by appointment only; trucks must call/email on Friday or Saturday for Tuesday appt
  • Normal shipping hours resume on Tuesday, December 26; 100% appointments

• 4-Earth Farms will be open until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 23 and will open again at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday December 26.

• Monday, December 25 there will be no shipping and closed
• Normal loading hours will resume on Tuesday, December 26

New Year’s Eve/Day

• Idaho, Oregon, and Washington onion and potato suppliers will be closed on Saturday, December 30 and will remain closed Sunday. Suppliers will be closed Monday, January 1 with normal shipping hours resuming Tuesday, January 2
• All Arizona, California, East Coast, and South Texas suppliers will be closed on New Year’s Day, January 1; no loading will be available

• • Most suppliers will have limited loading hours on Saturday, December 30
  • Normal loading hours will resume on Tuesday, January 2; trucks must call ahead for appointments

• Misionero will close at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 30 and remain closed on Sunday, December 31 and Monday, January 1

• • They will re-open Tuesday, January 2 at 9:00 a.m. for appointment loading

• Taylor Farms will be closed on New Year’s Day, January 1

• • Sunday, December 31 will have limited loading hours (8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) and will load on a first come first serve basis
  • Tuesday, January 2 will be regular dock hours and load by appointment only; trucks must call/email on Friday or Saturday for Tuesday appt
  • Normal shipping hours resume on Tuesday, January 2; 100% appointments

• 4-Earth Farms will be open until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 30th and will open again at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, January 2
  • Monday, January 1 there will be no shipping and closed
  • Normal hours will resume on Tuesday January 2

Citrus

The California Navel season is in full swing. Stocks are dominated by large sizes (56- and 88-count fruit); smaller sizes (113- and 138-count fruit) are diminishing. Lemons are being harvested in all three major California growing regions (the San Joaquin Valley, Southern California, and the California desert region).

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 remain elevated
• Quality is excellent
• Expect steady markets and ample supplies through the month of December

Oranges

• MFC and ESS Navel Oranges are available
• Oranges are currently being shipped out of California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida
• Small sizes (113- through 138-count) are expected to tighten in January
• Expect great quality and steady markets through December

Green Beans

Florida green bean markets are elevated due cold weather and harvesting gaps. Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Trimmed Green Beans are available.

• Florida stocks are tight due to cold weather; growers were forced to harvest new crop fields earlier than normal to fill Thanksgiving orders

• • Expect supplies to rebound over the next 10 days, weather permitting
  • Overall quality is good
• Mexican supplies are adequate and should increase greatly during the third week of December
• Expect demand to shift towards Mexico over the next week

Onions

Prices continue to increase as demand rises. Active markets are expected over the next six to eight weeks.

• MFC Onions are available out of storage from Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and Washington
• Strong demand for white onions has pushed up prices and tightened supplies
• Orders are shifting into the more readily available yellow onions which is elevating those markets for all sizes and grades
• Expect markets to remain active into late January when the Mexican onion season is expected to begin
• Quality for all three colors remains excellent in the Pacific Northwest

Idaho Potatoes

Extremely low temperatures are forecast in Eastern Idaho for next week. The cold weather will affect potato production and delay loading times. Prices will rise.

• Temperatures need to be 18°F or higher for five to seven hours to haul potatoes from cellars to packing sheds
• Growers do not ship potatoes to packing sheds when temperatures are below 18°F because that can cause internal and external bruising as well as black skins and flesh (located on the outer edges of potatoes and just under their skins)
• Loading delays are likely due to short production windows; advanced lead-time is highly recommended for order fulfillment
• Many suppliers will utilize onsite storage to cover orders
  • Some sizes may be limited
  • Prices will rise

Strawberries

California supplies continue to tighten as both the Santa Maria and Oxnard seasons are past their peaks. Mexican stocks (into South Texas) are increasing; weather has improved but rain is expected Thursday December 7. The Florida season has begun; supplies will increase weekly.

Santa Maria/Oxnard

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Advanced order time is advised; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Quality is good; white shoulders and early signs of bruising have been reported
• Expect tight supplies and steady markets over the next 7-10 days

Mexico (into South Texas)

• Expect steady yields this week despite Thursday’s rain
• Quality is currently good; white shoulders have been reported
• Size ranges from small to medium (22 to 25 berries per one-pound clamshell)
• Expect steady markets as volume rises heading into the weekend

Florida

• Expect to see markets slowly decline as this region ramps up production
• Supplies will increase weekly; the season will hit its peak in late December
• Early quality is good; white shoulders have been reported
• MFC Strawberries are estimated to begin shipping the week of December 11

Stringless Sugar Snap Peas

Prices remain elevated. Supplies are limited as the domestic season is winding down.

California – Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys

• Quality problems persist
  • Cooler temperatures, shorter days, wind, and overnight frosts have shortened shelf-life
  • External pitting, scarring, small size, and water damage are prevalent, lowering yields from the field
• Expect limited supplies to persist as the season wraps up in early December

Imports – Northern Mexico and Peru

• Peruvian supplies are tight but are helping to supplement the market; quality is slightly better

• Stocks from Northern Mexico are beginning to enter the market; however, reports indicate harvests remain approximately 7-10 days behind schedule
• Markets will remain elevated until production ramps up in mid- to late December

Tomatoes

Tomato markets are increasing due to cooler weather on the East Coast and harvesting transitions in Mexico. MFC Tomatoes are available.

• Florida growers are experiencing cold fronts this week, reducing overall yields of round, Roma, cherry, and grape tomatoes
  • The Ruskin/Palmetto region has smaller-size fruit (6×7) as the season winds down over the next week
  • The Immokalee region is underway with good mix of sizes and great quality
• Mexican supplies are extremely tight as growers transition from the Baja Peninsula to the main winter growing region of Sinaloa in the month of December
  • Baja round and Roma quality is average due to recent inclement weather
  • Volume will decline in Eastern Mexico (crossing into South Texas) over the next two weeks as the fall season ends
  • The Sinaloa season will start December 15 in a light way; expect seasonal volume in January
• Grape tomato markets are elevated; recent cold weather has hindered maturity
• Expect higher round and Roma prices over the next two weeks due to increased holiday demand

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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