Bell Peppers

Eastern green bell pepper prices are expected to increase due to freeze-related supply shortages in Florida. Meanwhile, improved volume from Mexico is likely to shift demand to Western markets. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers remain available.

Green Bells

• Florida growers are continuing to assess damages from the recent cold weather and freeze
  • Early estimated losses are 80% of uncovered crops and 20% of covered crops; total loss is estimated around 50%
  • Early plantings set to harvest this spring were impacted but should rebound
  • Expect more off-grade fruit when the spring harvest begins
• West Mexican supplies are abundant as they start new fields
  • Nogales volume is helping bridge the gap
  • Low East Coast demand and improved Mexico supply lowered prices to entice buyers this week
• Volume is low/steady in Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas)
• Expect higher markets as demand increases over the next two weeks

Red Bells

• Mexico’s Culiacan growing region has moderate volume; improved weather (90F) will help yields for next week
• Quality is very good; all sizes are available
• Availability is limited in Central Mexico (crossing in South Texas)
• Expect very minimal supplies out of Florida due to the recent freeze
• Prices will remain elevated over the next week

Blueberries

Blueberry supplies are limited. Freezing temperatures recently damaged Florida crops, delaying the season’s start date.

Offshore 

• Both the Chilean and Peruvian seasons will end in late February
• Quality is good, but will decline as the season winds down
• The market is elevated; supplies are limited

Mexico

• Volume is falling; the season is past its peak
• Quality is good; some early breakdown has been reported
• Expect rising prices

Florida

• Extremely low temperatures are delaying the season by three to four weeks
• Some growers expect 50-70% lower yields compared to prior seasons
• Suppliers are assessing damages and may report significant losses
• Markets are up; stocks are scarce

Green Onions

Green onion prices are elevated; expect low volume through February/early March. Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Green Onions are available; packer label is being substituted as needed.

• Heavy rains in December delayed the growth of recent plantings
• Abnormally high temperatures across the desert growing regions slowed plant maturity in January, resulting in limited industrywide stocks
• Strong winds further damaged fields, reducing harvestable yields
• Several growers entered fields earlier than forecast, which will cause supply gaps in February and early March
• Demand is strong; supplies will continue to tighten throughout this month
• Quality ranges from fair to good
• Expect persistently high pricing and limited availability through this month and into early March

Lemons

California lemon supplies are ample; crops are dominated by large-size fruit (95- through 140-count stocks).

• MFC and ESS Lemons are available  
• The District Three season in the Arizona desert region will end this week
  • Districts One and Two (the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California) are currently in production
  • District One will be the main growing region until District Two is in full production in mid-March
• Quality is excellent; size is dominated by 95- to 165-count lemons
• Expect a slow price climb, as demand increases over the next six to eight weeks

Seedless Lemons

California seedless lemons are harvested and shipped year-round.

• External color and size structure mirror seeded lemons
• Prices are higher; supplies are ample
• Quality is excellent

Oranges

The California Navel orange crop is dominated by large-sized fruit; small supplies (88-, 113-, and 138-count oranges) are becoming extremely limited. Size and grade substitutions will soon be requested to fill orders; varieties from Florida and Mexico can be substituted. as well as California Cara Cara oranges.

California

• MFC and ESS Navel Oranges are available 
• Overall supplies of 88-, 113-, and 138-count oranges will be extremely limited through the balance of the Navel season and into the Valencia season that starts in May
• Juice oranges from Mexico, Florida, and Texas, along with California Cara Cara oranges, are substitution options
• Navel quality is very good; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
• Expect elevated markets for choice and fancy grade fruit as well as small sizes (88-, 113-, and 138-supplies)

Mexico

• Valencia oranges are available in Nogales, Arizona and South Texas
• Great quality is forecast; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
• Prices will be comparable to those in Florida

Florida 

• The new crop Valencia season has begun; stocks are dominated by 125-count oranges
• Valencia quality is very good; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
• Most of the crop will be choice and standard grades
• Prices will be comparable to those in Mexico

Texas

• Valencia oranges will ship through April
• Quality is good; sugar levels range from 11-12 Brix
• Expect elevated markets and tight supplies as Texas helps fill the void from California

Offshore

• Moroccan Navels will enter the market on February 23 (loading on the East Coast)
• Stocks will be dominated by 88-, 105-, and 113-count fruit
• Great quality is forecast; sugar levels will range from 10-13 Brix
• Prices will be comparable to those in Florida

Strawberries

Prices are elevated. California strawberry supplies are extremely limited due to rain damage and strong demand. Recent rain events have decreased yields, leading to a sudden spike in demand. Volume will fall further as the forecast calls for an additional 2.5 inches of rain through next week. Markon recommends loading strawberries out of South Texas and Florida during this time.

Florida

• MFC Strawberries are available

• Growers will harvest all week as the weather has warmed
• 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
• Prices are elevated

Mexico (into South Texas)

• The season is at its peak; yields are high
• 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
• The market is up

Santa Maria

• MFC Strawberries are available
• The region received over 0.5 inches of rain yesterday
  • Most growers have canceled harvests for today and possibly tomorrow
  • Fruit will be transferred from Mexico to fill orders
• Quality ranges from fair to good; rain will cause further damage, including white shoulders, bruising, and mildew
• Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Expect tight supplies and elevated markets through February

Oxnard

• The region received over 0.5 inches of rain yesterday
  • Most growers have canceled harvests for today and possibly tomorrow
  • Fruit will be transferred from Mexico to fill orders
• Quality ranges from fair to good; rain will cause further damage, including white shoulders, bruising, and mildew
• Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Expect low volume and high prices through February

Squash

Prices are escalating in Florida; freezing conditions have significantly impacted winter crops. MFC Zucchini and Yellow Squash are available.

Florida

• Freezing temperatures have damaged crops and lowered yields
• Expect significantly lower yields for the next several weeks
• Some growers were able to cover their crops to limit frost damage; 80% of uncovered crops are reported as lost
• Early planting for the spring crop has also been affected; off-grade supplies will be more prevalent
• Growers continue to assess total damages
• Prices will climb for the next two weeks

Mexico

• Volume is moderate/steady; however, demand has increased due to the Florida freeze
• Culiacan is experiencing sunny weather in the low 90s today; slightly cooler weather is anticipated next week
• Quality is average; crews are culling stocks with odd shape and mechanical scarring
• Expect higher markets due to increased demand over the next two weeks

Tomatoes

Florida tomato crops have been heavily affected by the recent freezing temperatures. Demand will shift to Mexican fruit; higher prices are expected over the next two months. MFC Tomatoes are available.

Rounds

• Supplies have been impacted by the freeze in Homestead, Florida
  • The tops of the plants were damaged by the freezing temperatures, but the middle and lower parts were not
  • Growers can harvest fruit from the middle and bottom areas of these plants
• The worst weather occurred in Immokalee, Florida; some growers here are reporting 100% crop loss
• Expect limited availability in Florida for the next two months
• Demand has shifted to Western Mexico, where supplies are sufficient; large sizes (4×5 & 5×5) are the most abundant
• Expect higher markets over the next two weeks due to tight stocks in Florida

Romas

• Expect limited supplies in Florida; Homestead and Immokalee were severely impacted
• Western Mexico will have plentiful supplies through February
  • All sizes are available
  • Quality is good
• Volume is fairly steady in Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas)
• Prices will climb over the next two weeks due to strong demand

Grape & Cherry Varieties

• Freezing temperatures have reduced yields in Florida
• Mexican stocks are moderate due to previous poor weather, but quality is good
• Demand will shift towards Mexico over the next few weeks
• Expect higher prices

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.