Bell Peppers

Prices are elevated due to strong demand caused by Florida’s recent freeze. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

• Florida supplies are limited due to recent freezing temperatures, but are forecast to recover in March
• Stocks are snug in Western Mexico due to strong demand that has shifted from Florida
  • The main growing region of Culiacan will see highs in the 80s
  • Sunny weather will aid growth over the next week
• Yields are light in Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas)
• Expect rising prices over the next two weeks

Red Bells

• Mexican supplies are tight as growers transition away to new crop fields this week
  • No. 1 grade yields are low
  • New crop harvests will start this weekend
  • Sunny conditions will help the ripening process
• Quality is average, but expected to improve
• Yields are light in Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas)
• Florida volume is low
• Markets are elevated but expected to start easing over the next two weeks

Celery

Elevated markets will persist through February, at a minimum; extreme weather has reduced California yields.

• MFC and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Celery are available
• California celery fields experienced significant storm events in November and again during Christmas week, including up to six inches of rain over four days, accompanied by sustained winds nearing 60 mph
• Relief was originally anticipated by mid-February; however, 1.5-2” more rain is forecast this week
• Production continues in the Arizona/California desert; harvests will run through mid-April
• Florida supplies remain limited following freezing temperatures in late January and early February
• New crop production will begin in Salinas, California in early June
• Overall quality is good; some Oxnard lots are exhibiting wind-related twisting and pith following excessive rains

Green Beans

Florida green bean growers were severely impacted by past freezing conditions; prices are elevated. RSS Trimmed Green Beans are available.

• Florida growers are slowly recovering from late January frost conditions that hit key growing regions in Homestead, Immokalee, and Belle Glade
  • Heavy frost led to the death of many younger plants and scarring on maturing pods
  • Production is a fraction of its normal volume for February; yields are very low and sporadic
  • A supply gap is expected to persist through mid-March as growers wait for new plants to mature
• The Mexican growing regions of Puebla and Sinaloa are providing substantial volume to U.S. markets
  • Quality is good; however, recent cool weather has slowed growth
  • Demand is strong
  • Prices have escalated
• Guatemalan growers are shipping limited quantities into South Texas and Florida
  • Quality is excellent
  • Extra lead time is required due to long transit times
• Expect higher prices over the next two weeks

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Although iceberg prices remain elevated, they are inching down. Romaine and green leaf markets continue to climb.

• MFC Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces are available; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed
• Overall supplies remain limited in the Arizona-California desert region; heavy rains followed by sustained above-average temperatures have limited yields
  • Many fields are three weeks ahead of the normal production schedule
  • Demand is softening heading into the President’s Day weekend; some growers are reporting higher iceberg volume, causing the market to temporarily decline
  • Rain is forecast for the evening of Monday, February 16 into Tuesday, February 17; roughly 1/10” to 1/2” is expected
  • Markon is working with our grower-shipper partners to pack ahead as needed
• Florida supplies have rebounded following recent freezing temperatures; slightly lower weights are expected as crews trim damage from outer leaves
• Mexican stocks are ample (crossing into South Texas)
• Despite the current market relief, expect elevated prices and limited supplies for the duration of the Arizona-California desert season once demand rebounds

Limes

Prices remain elevated and are expected to continue climbing as supply constraints and quality challenges persist, particularly out of Mexico. MFC and ESS Limes are available.

Mexico (into South Texas)

• The winter season has concluded
• New crop volume is low due to bloom drop
• Quality challenges persist, including lower pack‑out yields and increased repacking, driven by weather stress, humidity, and high temperatures
• Additional grading and repacking are keeping costs firm across all sizes
• Demand is strengthening, further pressuring availability and driving markets higher

Colombia

• Quality remains steady and more consistent compared to Mexico, with fewer stylar-end and shelf-life concerns
• Growing regions are at higher elevations, which helps support better overall condition and shelf life
• Colombia is typically subject to fewer disruptive weather events than Mexico, providing a more stable growing and supply environment
• Supply levels remain consistent, but shipments require longer lead times and tighter planning

Hawaii

• Growers report strong internal quality and high juice content
• Shipments are currently cleared for Canada only, while a federal comment period is underway regarding proposed approval for U.S. mainland access

Onions

Storage crop MFC Onions are available from Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and Washington. Markets are steady. Red and yellow supplies are sufficient, but white onions remain limited.

Pacific Northwest

• The storage season will effectively end in late April, with some supplies to ship into early May
• Quality ranges from good to fair; internal browning, double-heart, and translucency are occasional issues
• Expect steady markets over the next two weeks

Colorado

• Supply levels will be depleted by mid- to late March
• Quality ranges from good to fair
• Prices should remain stable over the next two weeks

Utah

• Storage supplies will be depleted by the third week of March
• Quality ranges from good to fair; translucency and bruising are occasional issues
• Expect steady markets over the next two weeks

Mexico

• Early season Mexican onions are crossing into South Texas
  • Shipments consist primarily of yellows and whites
  • Red volume is low
• Initial reports of fresh-run Mexican onions indicate subpar quality as compared to Northwestern storage supplies; green cast, soft texture, and thin skins are to be expected
• Early quotes are higher than domestic red and yellow storage supplies, but comparable to white onions

Texas

• The Texas fresh-run yellow onion season will start next week, in a limited manner
• Texas-grown red and white fresh crop onions will hit the market in early March

Oranges

California growers have harvested ahead of the current rain event. Still, if there isn’t a long enough break in the weather pattern that allows groves to dry out, supply challenges may occur towards the end of next week.

California

• MFC and ESS Navel Oranges are available 
• The San Joaquin Valley and Southern California citrus growing districts are forecast to receive a series of rain events that started today, Monday, February 16 and will persist through Wednesday, February 25
• Growers cannot harvest fruit when groves are wet
• Fruit from Mexico, Florida, and Texas will be options if production is canceled in California
• Expect elevated choice- and fancy-grade prices as well as high markets for small fruit (88-, 113-, and 138-supplies)

Mexico

• New crop Valencias are available in Nogales, Arizona
• Great quality is forecast; sugar levels will range from 11-13 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 113-count and larger sizes; 138-count sizes are limited
• Fair quality is predicted; choice and standard grades will be most abundant
• 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

Imported (Moroccan)

• Fruit will start arriving from Morocco during the last week of February and will be shipped through June
• Valencia quality is very good; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
• Stocks are dominated by 113-count, fancy-grade oranges
• Prices will be comparable to those in Florida and Mexico

Strawberries

All California growing regions are experiencing rain. Sporadic storms will persist through Thursday, February 26. Over two inches have fallen so far, with more in the forecast. Suppliers are culling fields and assessing damages.

Santa Maria/Oxnard, California 

• Growers continue culling water-damaged fruit, lowering yields; 30-40% of fruit has been lost due to water damage

• Rain will impact availability for the next 7-10 days; expect a demand-exceeds-supply market for the next week
• Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Quality concerns include soft skin, decay, white shoulders, and pin rot
• Expect strong demand and elevated prices

Central Mexico (Loading in South Texas)

• The season is at its peak; yields are high
• Expect tight supplies as Mexico will help fill the void from California shortages
• Size currently ranges from medium to large (14-22 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
• Quality is good; small size, white shoulders, and misshapen berries have been reported
• Expect strong demand and high markets through next week

Florida

• MFC Strawberries are available

• The season is reaching its peak as harvesting increases weekly
• Berries range from small-medium to medium in size (15-18 per 1-pound clamshell)
• Quality is good; small size, light color, and misshapen berries have been reported
• Expect supply to exceed demand through next week

Squash

Prices are high. Florida volume is low due to recent cold weather. Strong demand has shifted to Mexico; yellow squash is limited. MFC Zucchini and Yellow Squash are available.

Florida

• Freezing temperatures decreased yields
• Expect tight supplies for the next three weeks
• Overall quality is fair
• Markets will remain high for several weeks

Mexico

• Yields are falling in the Sinaloa growing region this week, especially yellow squash
• Demand is strong due to the past frost in Florida
• Quality is average; mechanical scarring has been reported
• Expect rising markets this week

Tomatoes

Florida tomato supplies are extremely limited. Mexico will play a major role in covering orders over the next two months. MFC Tomatoes are available.

Rounds

• Florida supplies will remain limited until mid-April
• Many growers are enacting the Act of God clause, as entire crops have been lost
• March supplies will be dominated by off-grade fruit
• Western Mexico has sufficient supplies
  • Demand is increasing
  • All sizes are available
• Expect higher prices over the next two weeks

Romas

• Florida stocks are limited; Homestead and Immokalee were severely impacted by recent freezes
• Growers are shipping moderate supplies out of Western Mexico
  • Strong demand has shifted from Florida
  • Prices will remain high through early April
  • Quality is good
  • All sizes available
• Volume is fairly steady out of Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas)
• Expect higher prices over the next two weeks

Grape & Cherry Varieties

• Recent freezing temperatures have severely lowered yields in Florida
• Mexican stocks are moderate in Sinaloa and limited in Baja
• Demand will shift towards Mexico
• Expect slightly higher prices next week

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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