Bell Peppers

Green Bells

• Florida growers are reporting minimal damage after temperatures fell as low as 27˚F for a few hours early on Sunday, January 30

• • Frost was observed on top of pepper plants, delaying growth
  • Expect production to decrease over the next two weeks

• Mexican supplies are tight; growers have cut back production due to last week’s low prices

• • Extra-large peppers are limited
  • Cooler evenings are expected in Sonora later this week, tightening supplies further
• Expect prices to increase this week

Red Bells

• Mexican supplies are steady; the best quality is coming from high-tech/greenhouse growers
  • All sizes are available
  • Cool evenings will slow production this week
• The East Coast produces a minimal amount of colored peppers
• Expect prices to rise slightly

Broccoli and Cauliflower

• Stocks are forecast to remain sufficient for the next couple of weeks
• Ideal growing conditions have improved quality and increased size
• Mexican-grown broccoli supplies are available (loading out of South Texas)
• Mexican-grown cauliflower stocks are on the market (loading out of Southern Arizona)
• Expect steady markets through February

Carrots

• Yields are well-below average in California as the season winds down; record rainfall in December and low temperatures are the primary factors
• New crop supplies out of California’s Imperial Valley are dominated by small sizes; it will take two to three more weeks for size to increase
• Expect extremely limited California jumbo supplies through late February
  • Carrot sticks are also tightening as they are made from jumbo carrots
  • Baby Peeled Snack Packs continue to be in a demand-exceeds-supply situation due to increased post-COVID demand
• Jumbo carrots (in 25-and 50-pound poly bags) are available out of Arizona, Georgia, and Mexico (crossing into South Texas)

• Prices are much lower compared to California stocks
• Quality is good with the biggest difference being the flavor profile

Green Beans

• Florida growers are experiencing bloom drop due to sub-freezing temperatures last weekend in the southern and central regions of the state
  • Expect limited supplies over the next three to four weeks
  • Extra grading is required
• Mexican production is also down
  • Cool evening temperatures have reduced yields
  • Labor issues and past low prices have hindered some growers from maintaining crops
• Markets will increase substantially through next week

Limes

• Demand has decreased; the market has softened
• Mexican lime supplies (crossing into South Texas) have increased
• All sizes are available; the crop is dominated by 175- and 200-count fruit
• Quality is very good: oil spotting is an occasional concern but suppliers are culling damaged fruit as much as possible prior to loading on trucks
• Despite improved availability and lower prices this week, the market is expected to firm up by next week

Onions

• Northwest storage onion volume will be depleted earlier than normal
  • Idaho/Oregon onions will ship into April; supply typically runs into May
  • Utah stocks will be depleted in early to mid-March (similar to recent years)
  • The Washington supply will begin to wind down in early April; stocks ordinarily run into May
• Quality is sporadic in remaining storage onions; occasional internal defects such as translucency, dryness, and watery scale may be seen

• Mexican onion pricing is elevated, but will ease as volume climbs
  • Ideal weather is forecast for the Tampico growing region, with no rain predicted over the next few weeks
  • Onions have feathery skins and light color/exterior skins compared to Northwest storage onions
• Texas-grown onions will enter the market in early March

• California/Imperial Valley onions are estimated to start shipping in mid-April
• The New Mexico season will begin in early June

Strawberries

Oxnard, California

• No rain is in the 10-day forecast; cool mornings have slowed growth slightly
• Production continues to ramp up
• Berry size is large (12-14 per 1-pound clamshell)
• Quality is excellent

Santa Maria, California

• Weather forecasts call for mild and dry conditions through February 9
• Early season production continues to increase weekly
• Fruit is large (10-12 per 1-pound clamshell)
• Quality is very good

Central Mexico (Loading in South Texas)

• Production is steady; volume will continue increasing into February
• Pack counts range from 17 to 21 berries
• Quality is good

 Florida

• Cold weather has slowed production
• Quality is holding up well despite recent freeze events
• Pack counts range from 16-19 berries
• Light rain is forecast for Thursday, February 3

Squash

• Markon First Crop Zucchini and Yellow Squash are available
• Mexico’s growing regions are expecting cooler evenings heading into the weekend, slowing production
  • Quality is good: wind scarring is the main concern
  • Yellow squash supplies are snug
• Florida squash volume remains low; this past weekend’s frost delayed crop maturity
  • Some bloom drop is expected and will negatively affect yields over the next two to three weeks
  • Quality is average
• Expect prices to remain steady over the next week

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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