UPDATE SUMMARY: WEEK OF JANUARY 13, 2022

January 13, 2022

Bell Peppers

Green Bells

Mexican supplies have tightened this week due recent cool/rainy weather
- All sizes are available, but extra-large peppers are snug
- Quality is good: scarring and weak walls are issues in some lots
Florida is transitioning from older crops to newer winter fields in the southern region

- Some lots show signs of bruising and decay at pack out
- New crop quality is very good
Prices are rising

Red Bells

Mexican stocks are consistent
- Volume is set to increase in January
- All sizes are available
- Quality is good
The East Coast does not produce many colored peppers
Prices are expected to slightly decrease over the next one to two weeks

Broccoli and Cauliflower

Arizona/California Desert Broccoli

Markon First Crop (MFC) Broccoli is available in the AZ/CA desert growing region
Cool weather has slowed plant maturity, resulting in fewer available supplies over the next two weeks
Overall quality is good: pin rot is affecting some lots
Demand is moderate; markets are expected to maintain mid- to high levels over the next two weeks

Mexican Broccoli (into South Texas)

MFC Broccoli is available (loading in South Texas)
Supplies are adequate but anticipated to tighten over the next two weeks as additional demand shifts from the AZ/CA desert to South Texas
Overall quality is good: pin rot is affecting some lots
Demand is moderate, but expected to pick up as West Coast broccoli stocks become tighter

Arizona/California Desert Cauliflower

Markon Essentials (ESS) Cauliflower is limited in the AZ/CA desert growing region; packer label will be substituted as needed
Cool weather has slowed growth, resulting in fewer available supplies over the next two weeks
Quality is strong with great color and ideal size
Demand is elevated and expected to strengthen as stocks become tighter
Expect Arizona and California markets to increase over the next two weeks

Cucumbers

Prices are expected to increase slightly
Mexican production is steady in Sonora and Sinaloa; quality is good
The main East Coast supply has transitioned to offshore Honduran import programs
South Florida port delays are affecting availability due to labor and transportation shortages
Quality is excellent; Honduras has avoided severe weather this season

Grapes

Idaho Potatoes

Burbank and Norkotah size is currently dominated by large sizes (40- through 70-count potatoes); smaller sizes (80- thru 100-count supplies) are sufficient
Quality is strong in both varieties
Markets are expected to climb in late January as suppliers will begin to extend storage volume
Norkotahs should remain available into early April; once Norkotah stocks are depleted, Burbanks will be the sole variety for the rest of the season

Limes

MFC and ESS Limes are limited; packer label will be substituted as necessary
Hurricane Max made landfall on September 18, greatly reducing Key lime yields; demand has increased for Persian limes in response

- The current crop is dominated by small fruit
- Large sizes will become increasingly scarce
Overall quality is good
Prices are expected to rise $15-$20 over the next 7 to 10 days

Onions

Northwest MFC Onions will be available through late April
- Dry scale and translucent layers will become challenges as the end of the season approaches
- Expect elevated prices for the rest of the season

Limited quantities of Mexican onions will start entering the U.S. (into South Texas) next week
- With the Northwest markets at all-time highs, Mexican onion prices are expected to follow suit
- White and yellow onions will enter the U.S. first
- Red onions will be available by mid-February; expect low volume
Texas-grown onions will enter the market in early March
California/Imperial Valley onions are estimated to start shipping in late April
The New Mexico season will begin in early June

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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