Asparagus

Larger sizes (extra-large and jumbo) remain extremely scarce; prices will continue rising this week. Packer label is being substituted to meet demand when necessary.

Mexico

• Limited quantities are being harvested in Northern Baja; the southern end of the peninsula has wrapped up
• Smaller-diameter (standard and large size) stalks dominate yields
• Continued cooler weather and elevated markets have hindered maturation
• Extra-large and jumbo sizes are in strong demand; substituting large and/or standard packs is recommended to ensure orders are filled over the next two to three weeks
• Expect supplies to increase and prices to ease slightly by the second to third week of January

Peru

• Minimal volume is being imported into Miami, Florida
• FOB costs remain comparable from both regions; some freight savings are available for Eastern DCs
• Expect high prices and extremely tight supplies into early February

Cauliflower

Cauliflower prices are declining in the Arizona-California desert growing region.

• Markon Essentials (ESS) Cauliflower is available in Yuma, Arizona
• Yields rebounded toward the end of the year amid mild weather and weak demand
• Quality has remained relatively strong; snowy crown color and consistent size has been reported
• Supplies are also available in Santa Maria, California and Central Mexico (into South Texas)
• An extended cold front is forecast for the Arizona-California desert regions
  • Expect prices to be volatile through January
  • Markets are trending down this week but will swing upward again by mid-January

Celery

Celery markets are falling following the holiday season, as demand decreases and supplies increase.

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Celery is available out of Coachella and Oxnard, California and Yuma, Arizona
• Additional growing regions are supplementing Oxnard and Arizona-California desert supplies
  • Santa Maria production will continue year-round
  • Okeechobee, Florida will harvest through late April/early May
• Quality is excellent in all regions; disease pressure is minimal
• Strong holiday demand has subsided
• Expect prices to continue to inch down in the coming weeks

Idaho Potatoes

The weather forecast calls for decreasing temperatures and snowfall in Eastern Idaho through early next week. If temperatures drop enough, the weather will potato production and delay loading times. Other concerns include potential road closures and packed ice on trailers leading to smaller payloads in order to maintain legal weights.

• Temperatures need to be 18°F or higher for five to seven hours to haul potatoes from cellars to packing sheds
• Growers do not ship potatoes to packing sheds when temperatures are below 18°F because that can cause internal and external bruising as well as black skins and flesh (located on the outer edges of potatoes and just under their skins)
• Loading delays are likely due to short production windows; advanced lead-time is highly recommended for order fulfillment
• Many suppliers will utilize onsite storage to cover orders; some sizes may become limited

Onions

Onion prices are rising; demand for Mexican exports is strong. Markets are expected to remain active over the next four to six weeks until Mexico begins shipping onions into Texas in late January/early February.

• MFC Onions are available out of storage from Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and Washington
• White onion supplies are scarce throughout the industry; demand is shifting to jumbo yellow stocks, pushing up prices for all yellow sizes
• Red onion markets are holding steady
• Pacific Northwest quality is very good; defects are minimal
• Mexican-grown onions are expected to begin crossing into South Texas by late January/early February

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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