Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons

The offshore melon market is experiencing tight supplies as weather-related challenges earlier in the growing cycle continue to impact production. Availability remains inconsistent; markets are expected to stay firm as the industry works through supply constraints.

Central America

• Offshore supplies are tightening due to earlier weather impacts across the region
• Reduced arrivals are expected to impact the East Coast in mid-January, with California and Northeast ports following approximately one week later; some programs may see impacts into mid- to late February
• Current sizing is leaning toward 9- and 12-count, with limited jumbo fruit available
• Recent arrivals are showing good internal quality with fruit mostly firm to hard
• Brix levels range from 12–14%
• Markets are expected to remain firm due to lighter production and limited larger fruit

Central America

• Honeydews are expected to be the primary challenge over the next several weeks as supplies transition from low to extremely limited
• The completion of Northern Mexican production has increased reliance on offshore fruit
• Flexibility in sizing will be necessary to navigate supply constraints
• Current sizing is primarily 6- and 8-count, with very limited availability of 5-count and larger fruit
• Weaker fields and lower yields are expected to keep this sizing trend in place
• Northern Mexico is expected to come back online mid-January, which should help relieve some pressure

Carrots

West Coast carrot supplies are tightening. Availability will be limited for the next two weeks due to weather-related issues that are reducing yields. Commodity pack prices are rising.

• The San Joaquin Valley season is experiencing lower-than-average yields
  • Harvesting delays are being caused by rain and muddy fields
  • Both commodity and processed packs are impacted
• Supplies will increase once conditions improve over the next two weeks
• Additional order lead-time is suggested (72 hours) due to the limited stocks

Cucumbers

Florida-grown cucumbers are limited; Honduran imports are increasing in Florida. Markon First Crop (MFC) Cucumbers are available.

• Florida-grown supplies will remain limited for several months
• Honduran-grown stocks are increasing (arriving in Florida ports)
• Mexico supply has strengthened with good overall quality and condition from new fields in Sinaloa
• Expect markets to remain steady at lower levels over the next two weeks

Celery

Elevated prices will persist for all fresh-cut Markon First Crop (MFC) and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Celery through mid-February due to extreme weather that has reduced California celery yields.

• California celery fields experienced significant storm events in November and again during Christmas week, including up to six inches of rain over a four-day period, accompanied by sustained winds nearing 60 mph
• As much as 55% of processor-variety celery was lost, greatly impacting availability
• Markon’s grower-partners thankfully have diversified celery programs utilizing several different varieties across multiple states, allowing them to shift orders and meet Markon demand
• Quality has been impacted; wind-related twisting and damage are being reported
• Another storm is forecast for the Oxnard, California region over the next nine days; Markon will update any changes as they occur

Grapes

Expect prices to remain steady for the next two weeks, then slowly start to decline when Chilean grape shipments increase on the West Coast.

California

• MFC Lunch Bunch Grapes will ship through late January
• Green and red seedless grape shipments have ended

• Quality is good; some decayed fruit is being reported
• Expect markets to remain steady until the season ends

Offshore/Peru/Chile

• Green and Red Seedless Grapes have begun shipping
• Packer label portioned grapes will enter the market in late January
• MFC Lunch Bunch Grapes will become available in mid-February
• Quality is good; some soft/damaged fruit is being reported
• Expect elevated pricing through January, then lower markets in February

Limes

Prices remain elevated and are expected to continue climbing through January as quality challenges and reduced supplies persist. MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Limes are available.

Mexico (into South Texas)

• Pricing remains on an upward trajectory as quality challenges continue to limit overall availability
• Large sizes (110- through 175-count fruit) remain more prevalent, while small sizes (230- and 250-count limes) are increasingly limited week to week
• Older-crop fruit is struggling with skin breakdown, oil spotting, and occasional stylar-end issues following rain events, resulting in reduced shelf-life and limiting pack-outs
• New-crop supplies are tighter than anticipated due to a smaller bloom drop, reducing yields and limiting availability
• Crews are conducting additional grading to maintain quality standards, increasing costs across all sizes amid lower yields and elevated labor expenses
• To ensure on-time delivery, substitutions to packer-label product may be requested

Colombia

• Packer label limes are available for loading out of Florida
• Rainfall continues with no major supply disruptions reported
• Sizing is well-balanced
• Export volume to increase amid stronger international pricing and lower yields from other origins

Hawaii

• A large grower is developing a dedicated Hawaiian lime program, supported by a focused and expanding acreage footprint, for shipping to US mainland, Canada and other countries
• The program is not yet cleared to ship into the U.S. mainland; product is currently approved for shipment into Canada
  • Product is expected to be approved for shipping to US Distribution Centers by July 2026
• The crop is 100% irrigated, driving excellent internal quality and strong juice content
• Internal color is notably darker green than typical Mexican limes, translating to rich juice quality

Onions  

Demand has increased for yellow onions following reduced production during the holidays; prices are higher. White onions remain limited; markets are rising. Red onion supplies are adequate; expect steady prices.

Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Colorado

• MFC Onions are available
• Storage red and yellow supplies are adequate; white onion volume is low

• Quality ranges from good to fair; translucent layers, soft texture, bruising, and decay are occasional issues

• Expect slightly higher yellow onion pricing over the next 7-10 days; markets will then begin to decrease as production catches up with demand

White onion pricing is expected to increase over the next one to two weeks

Oranges

The California Navel crop is dominated by large sizes; small fruit (88-, 113-, and 138-count oranges) are becoming extremely limited. Size and grade substitutions will soon be requested to fill orders; the Cara Cara and Mandarin varieties are options.

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
• California Cara Cara oranges and Mandarins will be viable substitutions for West Coast orders
• Mexican, Florida, and Texas juice oranges will also be 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 fruit (88-, 113-, and 138-supplies)

Mexico

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

Florida

• The new crop Valencia season will begin in late January
• Stocks will be dominated by 138-count and smaller sizes
• Fair quality is predicted; the majority of fruit will be choice and standard grades
• Prices will be comparable to those in Mexico and Texas

Texas

• Valencia oranges will ship through April
• Quality is good; sugar levels range from 11-12 Brix

Expect steady markets and tight supplies

Strawberries

Most California strawberry growers will not harvest this week due to damage; supplies are extremely limited.

Santa Maria/Oxnard, CA

• Growers will not harvest this week for shipments out of California
• Strawberries shipping out of California will be brought from Mexico to fill orders; Mexican consolidated berries will have 48 to 72 hours of reduced shelf-life due to transfer times from Mexico to California
• Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Markon DCs are advised to load out of South Texas or Florida, if possible
• Expect strong demand and elevated markets for the next two weeks

Mexico/South Texas

• Volume will increase through mid-January
• Size is small-medium (19 to 25 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
• Quality continues to improve weekly as peak season nears
• Expect elevated pricing and tight stocks as Mexico helps fill orders from California

Florida

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Volume is rising
• Quality is improving; concerns include white shoulders and green tips
• Size is small-medium (17 to 25 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
• Expect pricing to inch up as Florida supplements California shortages

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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