Broccoli

Imperial Valley, California/Yuma, Arizona/Northern Baja, Mexico

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Broccoli is available
• Supplies are tightening as a result of persistently cold weather stalling growth
• Quality is very good; very minimal yellowing, mold, and decay are being reported
• Expect markets to continue rising into next week

Mexico (into South Texas)

• MFC Broccoli is available
• The price spread between Mexico and the AZ/CA desert region is widening as supplies from Mexico (into South Texas) are ample
• Quality is very good; some mechanical damage has been noted along with occasional mildew
• Markets are expected to remain fairly steady into next week

Cauliflower

Imperial Valley and Santa Maria, California/Yuma, Arizona/Northern Baja, Mexico

• • Markon Essentials (ESS) Cauliflower is available; packer label may be substituted as needed
  • Continued low temperatures are slowing growth and limiting supplies
  • Quality is good; mold, off-color, and small size are being observed in some lots
  • Prices are elevated and will continue to climb over the next week at minimum

From The Fields: Lettuce Ice Events in the Desert Region

The Arizona and California desert growing region experienced very cool wind gusts, upwards of 30 MPH yesterday January 26, bringing this morning temperatures down into the low-30°s.  Harvesting crews will be delayed up to three hours with loading delays to be expected.

More ice events to linger through the weekend with chance of showers Monday, January 30.

From The Fields: Desert Region Rain

The Arizona and California desert growing region received rainfall late night Monday, January 30 through early this morning, January 31 with totals reaching a .10”. Forecast calls for more rain later this afternoon with possible totals reaching .25”.

Currently, harvesting delays are minimal; crews will work to cover loads and keep boxes as dry and clean as possible. Markon inspectors will continue monitoring quality closely and updating you with the latest.

From The Fields: Continued Ice Events in the Desert Region

After a series of very cool wind gusts, temperatures this morning dipped into the low to mid-30°s allowing for lettuce ice to form throughout the Arizona and California desert growing region.  Harvesting crews are delayed up to three hours with loading delays to be expected.

Green Leaf and Romaine

MFC Green Leaf and Romaine Lettuces are available. Supplies are ample in the Arizona/California desert growing region.

• Despite weather challenges, quality remains strong
  • Fringe burn, epidermal blistering/peeling, and weak tip are present in some finished packs but are largely being reduced by trimming outer leaves at harvest
  • Elevated insect pressure has been noted in some lots from California’s Imperial Valley region
• Abundant supplies are allowing suppliers to carefully choose lots, keeping prices steady
• Expect markets to remain steady at depressed levels over the next 10-14 days

Iceberg

Supplies are sufficient in the Arizona/California desert growing region. MFC Iceberg Lettuce is sporadic; Markon Best Available (MBA) will be substituted as needed due to low case weights as we enter February.

• Yields are down slightly recently amid rain, moderate-to-strong winds, and freezing temperatures
• Some varieties of iceberg lettuce have been particularly affected, forcing suppliers to sporadically skip harvest days to allow head size to increase
  • Quality is fair; epidermal blistering, fringe burn, and weak tip are present in some lots but are largely being reduced by trimming outer leaves at harvest
  • Expect reduced case weights until warmer weather spurs growth in early to mid-February
• Prices will inch higher over the next 5-7 days then level out through mid-February

Idaho Potatoes – Cold Weather Forecast

Extremely low temperatures are currently hitting the Eastern and Southern Idaho potato production areas.

• Temperatures need to be 18°F or higher for five to seven hours to haul potatoes from cellars to packing sheds
• Suppliers do not ship potatoes to packing sheds when temperatures are below 18°F to avoid freezing raw product
• Expect reduced production and loading delays through Wednesday, February 1
• Many suppliers will utilize onsite storage to cover orders; sizing may be limited

Melons

Cantaloupe and honeydew markets remain elevated; Central American supplies are especially tight on the West Coast due to reduced shipments.

Cantaloupe

• Imported stocks are shipping out of Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica

• West Coast vessel arrivals are being impacted by higher freight costs, driving up prices
• Availability is slightly better on the East Coast and in Texas; markets are lower
• Quality is fair out of all growing regions; bruising and overripened fruit are occasional issues being caused by long travel times
• Expect tight supplies and high price into March (when Mexico’s spring season starts)

Honeydew

• Imported honeydew orders are shipping from Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Mexico

• West Coast availability is low; higher freight costs are pushing up markets
• East Coast supplies are more readily available with slightly lower pricing
• Mexican melons (crossing into Nogales, Arizona) are tight; expect higher markets

• Overall quality is fair out of all regions; ground spotting, wind scarring, and bruising are occasional issues due to increased travel times
• Expect elevated markets and tight stocks until production increases in Mexico in March

Raspberries

Raspberries supplies have tightened quicker than anticipated as Driscolls out of the Baja peninsula in Mexico experienced a high wind event impacting growing infrastructures. This week’s supplies are expected to be the lowest volume of 2023 for the industry.

Baja Mexico

• Driscolls experienced a high wind event yesterday that has impacted growing infrastructures
• Supplies expected to be impacted for the next 2-3 weeks
• Current supplies will not meet current demand
• This week is expected to be the lowest supply week of 2023

Central Mexico

• Central Mexico supplies continue to be lower than anticipated due to cool weather
• Supplies expected to be low for the next 3-6 weeks as yields struggle to ramp up
• Current supplies will not meet current demand
• This week is expected to be the lowest supply week of 2023

Oxnard, California

• Oxnard will continue to be extremely limited for the next 12 weeks
• Anticipated to uptrend in early spring
• This week is expected to be the lowest supply week of 2023

Florida

• Florida supplies remain tight as fields recover from cooler weather
• Yields expected to be minimal for the next 2-3 weeks
• Current supplies will not meet current demand

Squash

Squash demand is moderate; markets are inching down. MFC Zucchini and Yellow Squash are available.

• Western Mexico supply is steady despite cooler evening temperatures
  • Yellow squash quality is excellent with no skin discoloration
  • Zucchini quality is good; occasional scuff marks are being observed
• Florida volume is typically low during winter months
  • Recent cold weather stunted plant growth
  • Quality is average
• Expect prices to decrease over the next two weeks with improved weather in the forecast

Strawberries

Supplies remain limited in all California growing regions. Rainfall swept through the Oxnard, California growing region last night. Florida yields remain low due to recent freezing temperatures. South Texas supplies are tightening, as the region continues to help fill the shortages out of California and Florida.

Oxnard, California

• The Oxnard growing region received ½” to 1” of rain in the last 24 hours; most suppliers have canceled harvests for today
• Production is expected to begin this week; expect yields to be extremely low due to rains
• The Oxnard growing region is not expected to meet Valentine’s Day demand
• Suppliers will be relying on transfers of Mexican-grown fruit to supplement California shipments through late January at minimum

Santa Maria, California

• Previous rain is expected to delay new crop harvesting by two to three weeks
• The Santa Maria growing region is not expected to meet Valentine’s Day demand
• New crop fruit will enter the market in mid-February

Central Mexico (Loading in South Texas)

• Expect to see stocks tighten as Mexico fills shortages from California and Florida
• Quality is good; issues include white shoulders, expect small-to-medium size fruit
• Expect tight supplies and markets to strengthen the next 10 to 14 days

Florida

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Expect lower yields this week due to past freezing temperatures and forecasted rain
• Quality is good; issues include white shoulders, expect small-to-medium size fruit
• Expect supplies to tighten and pricing to increase

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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