Avocados

Industry supplies remain limited. Mexican growers have reduced harvesting to create demand-exceeds-supply market. Expect elevated prices for the next two weeks.

Mexico

• All sizes will remain tight as Mexican growers slow harvests to drive up demand
• Size and grade substitutions may be requested to fill orders
• Quality is good; checkerboarding (uneven ripening within a case) has been reported
• Expect elevated markets and tight supplies for the next two weeks

California

• New crop production is in full swing
• California supplies will help fill the void from Mexican-grown product
• Supplies are dominated by medium sizes (48- through 60-count fruit)
• Expect high prices as California helps fill the void from Mexico

Colombia

• Imports will ship into the East Coast through May; these supplies only account for 5% of U.S. demand
• The crop is currently dominated by small sizes (60- to 84-count fruit)
• Quality is comparable to that in Mexico; texture is creamy and oil content is high

Bell Peppers

Green bell pepper supplies are plentiful; markets are low. Red bell pepper supplies from West Mexico are meeting demand.

Green Bells

• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green Bell Peppers are available
• Florida’s production is strong due to favorable temperatures
  • Temperatures are forecast to remain ideal for the next 10 days
  • Expect good volume and quality for the next few weeks
• Mexico has excellent volume and quality due to favorable weather; all sizes are available
• Expect continued low prices over the next week

Red Bells

• MFC and ESS Red Bell Peppers are available
• West Mexico is in peak winter production with favorable weather (sunny and mid-80s)
  • New crop quality is very good; all sizes are available
  • Suppliers are experiencing some Mexico border crossing delays this week
• Florida is offering light supplies this week
• Expect low prices this week

Border Crossing Delays

Mexico is currently experiencing extremely long border crossing delays into the U.S. at most entry points due to a scheduled customs system update this past weekend. Crossing delays began Monday, February 10, as Mexican customs agents began having problems generating documents as a result of the update. A contingency plan is in place to clear loads and cross shipments; however, the process is very slow going.

The result is long truck lines today, Wednesday, February 12, with reports of trucks waiting as long as eight hours at South Texas points of entry. Expect late shipments into the McAllen, Texas area this week, and in some instances, products arriving into U.S. warehouses a day late.

Outbound produce shipments in major points of entry cities, such as Nogales, Arizona and McAllen, Texas, will be delayed for the rest of this week. It’s recommended to notify domestic carriers of potential delays in advance.

California Strawberries – Rain

Harvesting has been canceled for Wednesday, February 12 and Thursday, February 13 due to persistent rain in the Santa Maria and Oxnard growing regions. Expect tight supplies and strong markets through next week.

Santa Maria/ Oxnard

• Harvesting has been canceled due to rain forecast for Wednesday, February 12 and Thursday, February 13
• Supplies are extremely limited and unable to meet demand
• Quality is average; early signs of decay and bruising have been reported
• Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns

Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons

Central American cantaloupe and honeydew stocks remain limited but are improving weekly; prices are easing.

Cantaloupe

Central America

• Central American cantaloupe volume is rebounding following the impacts of Tropical Storm Sara in November; prices are easing
• Port congestion and delayed vessels are causing occasional loading delays and inconsistent supplies; volume will vary weekly
• Sizing will vary by shipment and growing region; Markon may recommend substitutions based on availability
• Expect volume to slowly increase over the next three to four weeks, returning to near-normal levels in March (barring any unforeseen weather events)
• Prices are declining as volume increases

Honeydew

Central America/Mexico

• Central American honeydew volume is rebounding following the impacts of Tropical Storm Sara in November; prices are easing
• Port congestion and delayed vessels are causing occasional loading delays and inconsistent supplies; volume will vary weekly

• Mexican volume (crossing into Nogales, Arizona) is increasing weekly, helping offset demand for offshore fruit

• Size will vary by shipment and growing region; size substitutions may be recommended based on availability
• Expect volume to slowly increase over the next three to four weeks, returning to near-normal levels in March (barring any unforeseen weather events)
• Prices are declining as volume increases in Central American and Mexican growing regions

From the Fields: Desert Lettuce Update

MFC Iceberg is available. MFC Romaine and Green Leaf are limited; Markon Best Available is being substituted as needed.

The Arizona/California desert growing experienced temperatures in the low-to upper 80°s last week. The warmer weather helped to promote growth for row crop items after a three-week cold snap but also provided favorable conditions for insect pressure to increase. Markon inspectors are reporting sporadic hot spots of aphids as well as some gnats in leaf lettuce and tender leaf items. In addition, freeze-related issues such as epidermal blister and peel are being observed in some, but not all lettuce crops, and case weights are inconsistent due to uneven size and density.

Overall quality is holding up better than anticipated after such a significant cold snap, but consumers can still expect to see hit-and-miss freeze-related defects in finished packs of commodity and value-added lettuce items for the next 2-3 weeks. As we enter a warmer weather pattern to close out the season, other quality challenges will present themselves.

Markon inspectors continue to monitor desert row crops closely and are working with growers to secure the best product for Markon orders.

Herbs

Basil, lime leaves, tarragon, and thyme supplies are limited due to cold weather conditions.

• Unfavorable cold and rainy weather is impacting herb quality causing discoloration, early breakdown, and wilt
• Prices will remain elevated the next two weeks
• Recent cold temperatures have affected basil quality (shrivel and black leaves); volume is lower
• Lime leaves were impacted by the fires; better supplies are expected by the end of the month
• Tarragon is very limited and quality is poor; expect limited supplies and rising prices over the next four weeks
• Thyme is limited; quality is fair
• Forecasts for rain in Ventura County will slow production and lower yields

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Green leaf, iceberg, and romaine prices are steady to slightly lower, as supplies rebound following the recent cold snap.

• MFC Premium Green Leaf and Romaine are sporadic; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed
• MFC Premium Iceberg Lettuce is available
• Following January’s freezing temperatures, February’s warmer weather has increased field weights but resulted in quality challenges in some lots
  • Epidermal blistering and peeling are becoming more prevalent
  • Inconsistent plant growth has reduced harvestable yields
  • Insect pressure is on the rise
• Demand is moderate
• Despite these issues, ample supplies and depressed markets are forecast through February, at minimum

Idaho Potatoes – Cold Weather Forecast

The weather forecast calls for freezing temperatures and snowfall in Eastern and Southern Idaho through early next week.

• Temperatures need to be 18°F or higher for 5 to 7 hours to haul potatoes from cellars to packing sheds; hauling when temperatures are below 18°F will freeze potatoes
• Expect reduced production and delayed loading; advanced order lead time is highly recommended for order fulfillment
• Many suppliers will utilize onsite storage to cover orders
• Other concerns include potential road closures and packed ice on trailers leading to smaller payloads in order to maintain legal weights

Pineapples

Pineapple supplies are expected to remain tight for the next several weeks; prices are elevated.

• Production is down in Costa Rica due to recent rain and poor weather conditions
• Supplies will increase week over week but remain limited for the next month
• Although all sizes are snug, small sizes will be more readily available; order flexibility will help with coverage
• Crownless stocks are seeing slight improvement in yields over the last few weeks

Strawberries

Rain is expected in the Santa Maria and Oxnard growing regions Wednesday, February 12th through Friday, February 14th. This will cause harvesting delays or harvesting cancellations, depending on the amount of rain.

Santa Maria

• MFC Strawberries are available
• During this period, packer label will be substituted as needed
• Size currently ranges from 10 to 14 berries per one-pound clamshell
• Quality is good; berries are firm, some softness and green shoulders have been reported
• Expect markets to remain steady

Oxnard

• MFC Strawberries are available
• During this period, packer label will be substituted as needed
• Size currently ranges from medium to large (12 to 16 berries per one-pound clamshell)
• Quality is good; color is a deep red
• Expect markets to remain steady

Mexico (into South Texas)

• Temperatures have remained steady
• Quality is good; sizing is currently 17 to 25 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell
• Ample supplies remain in Mexico
• Expect markets to remain firm and steady

Florida

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Sizing is currently 23 to 25 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell
• Quality has improved with the weather
• Expect markets to remain steady

Tomatoes

Tomato supplies are abundant, quality is good, and markets are low; this is an excellent time to promote the category. Markon First Crop (MFC) Tomatoes are available.

Round

• East Coast production is strong
• South Florida is harvesting post hurricane and winter plantings
• Favorable weather in Florida has allowed high yields and good quality
• Sinaloa, Mexico supply is ample due to warm weather; quality is excellent and all sizes are available
• Expect low/promotable prices to remain for the next two weeks

Roma

• East Coast stocks are increasing due to ideal growing conditions
• Mexico, Sinaloa harvests are strong due to favorable weather
• New crop quality is very good; all sizes are available
• Expect low prices to continue for the next two weeks

Grape & Cherry Varieties

• South Florida volume is increasing
• West Mexico supplies are abundant with good quality
• Light volumes are also available in Baja and Central Mexico
• Expect low prices to continue, barring any significant weather events

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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