Asparagus

Markets continue to ease. Peruvian imports are limited but Mexican production will remain in full swing through February. Markon First Crop (MFC) Asparagus is available.

Mexico

• Quality is currently ranging from very good to excellent
• Production is nearing its peak in Caborca, Mexico
• All sizes are readily available with minimal price spreads between the small and large sizes
• Additional customs enforcement, inspections, and checkpoints on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border have led to some delays in product crossings, but truly abundant supplies will help avoid any shortages that could result from such issues throughout the next two to three weeks
• Expect markets to ease into next week and then remain steady in March

Peru

• Supplies (shipped into Miami, Florida) are minimal; volume is low amid hot weather during the Peruvian summer
• Quality is fair, with much longer transit times relative to Mexican-grown product
• Should tariffs add cost to Mexican supplies, Peru may act as a small relief valve, but it will not be able to support all national demand

Broccoli

MFC Premium Broccoli is being harvested in Arizona, California, Northern Mexico, and Central Mexico (loading in South Texas).

Arizona/California Desert and California’s Central Coast

• Markets are steady at low levels
• Supplies remain widely available
• Quality is very good; some lots are exhibiting small crowns following weeks of cold weather
• Higher temperatures this week and next will increase yields and crown size but could increase insect pressure
• Limited production continues in Santa Maria, California
• Expect prices to range from steady to lower as production increases in step with or even ahead of rising demand

Mexico

• Mexican-grown MFC Premium Broccoli is available in South Texas
• Quality is very good
• Markets will range from steady to lower through February, with a sizeable spread compared to domestic desert price levels

Cilantro

Markets are steady at moderate levels; supplies remain available across several growing regions, but upcoming weather may present additional quality challenges over the next 10 to 14 days.

• Heat and high winds are forecast next week for the Arizona-California desert growing region
  • California growers are harvesting in Oxnard, Holtville, and Santa Maria – where fair weather is expected to continue into next week
  • Arizona production is taking place in the Yuma Valley and near Scottsdale; supplies are also available from Northern Mexico

• While Markon suppliers will shift between growing/sourcing regions to ensure the best quality; expect to see elevated levels of overmature stems and leaves, tip burn, yellowing and early breakdown in the coming days
• Markon recommends ordering for short turns as shelf-life potential will be reduced over the next two weeks following the heat spike and
• Prices will range from steady to slightly higher for the next 10-14 days

From the Fields: Arizona and California Desert Insect Pressure

The Arizona/California desert growing region is experiencing a rise in insect pressure in several key lettuce crops. Aphids, thrips, and various small gnats thrive in the present dry, temperate weather the area has experienced for the past two weeks. With similar conditions expected through the rest of February, it is reasonable to conclude that insects will remain an industrywide concern. Growers and harvesting crews are taking measures to mitigate these issues as much as possible.

Insect numbers are rising daily in most commodity lettuce fields. As the desert growing season winds down and crop acreage declines, insects will naturally move to any remaining vegetation, resulting in a higher population in planted fields.

The graph below illustrates the past and expected temperatures for the Yuma, Arizona growing district.

Markon inspectors are working with our grower/shipper partners to select the best lots available and take measures to reduce insect presence as much as possible.

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and romaine

Green leaf, iceberg, and romaine prices are fairly steady at low levels. Demand remains moderate due to inclement weather impacting much of the country.

• MFC Premium Romaine is sporadic; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed due to low weights after trimming outer leaves with epidermal blister and peel defects at harvest
• MFC Premium Green Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce are 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 present in many lots, primarily affecting romaine
  • Inconsistent plant growth has reduced harvestable yields in current and upcoming fields
  • Insect pressure will continue to rise with warm weather in the upper 80s to low 90s forecast through next week
• Despite these issues, ample supplies and depressed markets are forecast through February, at minimum

LIVE From the Fields: Rising Insect Pressure in the Desert Region

Please click here to view a Markon Live from the Fields video regarding rising insect pressure in lettuce items from the Arizona/California desert growing region.

• Lettuce items are experiencing a significant spike in insect pressure; this is an industrywide issue with the potential to last through the end of the Arizona/California desert growing season in early to mid-April
• Over the past two-and-a-half weeks, temperatures in the mid-70°s to mid-80°s have created ideal conditions for insects such as aphids, thrips, and gnats to flourish
• Additional factors making it difficult for growers to control pest pressure:
  • Depressed markets have forced suppliers to harvest later than expected, which has reduced the effectiveness of some mitigation measures
  • As the season winds down and crop acreage declines, insects naturally move to the remaining vegetation, resulting in higher populations in planted fields
• Markon recommends thoroughly inspecting and washing all field-packed lettuce items as well as some lightly processed lettuce items due to the current insect pressure
• Markon Ready-Set-Serve Salad items such as chopped romaine, shredded romaine, and various iceberg lettuce packs are thoroughly washed and can serve as substitutions for foodservice operators who wish to minimize insect challenges

Mixed Berries

While blueberry supplies are ample and blackberry volume is consistent, raspberry prices will remain elevated for another two weeks due to crop pruning.

Blueberries

• Markets are level
• Demand is steady
• Quality is very good
• New crop harvesting has begun in Mexico
• The Chilean season is winding down
• East Coast growers will start new crop production in Florida by mid-March

Blackberries

• Prices are stable
• Mexican yields are adequate
• Demand is steady
• Quality is good

Raspberries

• Markets will remain elevated for another two weeks
• Mexican supplies are snug
• Suppliers pruned bushes, causing a spike in the market

• Medium-size berries dominate availability

• Quality is good; lighter color and small size have been reported

Onions-Northwest Storage Supply & Quality

Yellow and red onion supplies are plentiful; expect the market to remain low. White onions will be limited for the remainder of the season, prices are elevated. Translucent layers may be seen occasionally in the third quarter of the Northwest season.

Translucency

• Translucency is characterized by a grayish, watery texture within the outer layer(s) of an onion when cut in half
• It is a scoreable defect when visible across the circumference of three or more layers
• Suppliers are unable to detect defects during the sorting and packing process; the defects are internal and appear under the dry, outer skin of the onion
• Onions exposed to low temperatures in transit can form translucent scales
• Upon arrival, they should be stored in a cool (36 to 45 degrees), dark, dry, and well ventilated (high airflow) area to extend shelf-life and preserve quality

Strawberries

Persistent rain has canceled harvesting in the Santa Maria/Oxnard growing regions for Sunday, February 16 through Tuesday, February 18. Demand exceeds supply in all California growing regions.

Santa Maria/Oxnard, California

• These regions received almost two inches of rain in the last week; suppliers will not harvest again until Wednesday, February 19
• Quality will be a challenge, with concerns including excessive bruising and pin rot
• Suppliers will rely on transfers of Mexican-grown fruit to supplement California shipments through next week

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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