Avocados

Mexican Loca crop volume is increasing slowly; markets will soften over the next two to three weeks.

Mexico

• Large sizes (32- to 48-count supplies) are increasing, but remain limited
• Smaller size (60- to 70-count) supplies are increasing
• Quality is good; checkerboarding (uneven ripening within a case) has been reported
• Expect declining markets over the next two to three weeks

California/Peru

• Yields continue to diminish as the season will run into late August
• Remaining quality is good; checkerboarding (uneven ripening) has been reported
• Expect stable pricing through the end of these seasons

Bell Pepper

Red bell pepper demand is strong; markets are elevated. Green Bell pepper supplies are snug due to recent heat waves across the country; prices are high. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green Bell Peppers are available. MFC and ESS Red Bell Peppers are limited.

Green Bells

• California production is steady in Fresno and Oxnard
  • Quality is very good
  • Harvesting will start in the Hollister region this weekend
• North Carolina’s recent high temperatures and dry conditions have shortened the season; production is ending
• Kentucky and nearby regional growing areas will reach peak volume this week
• The Ohio and Michigan seasons have started sooner than expected, increasing overall supplies moving into next week
• New Jersey growers are harvesting ample yields amid strong demand
• Prices are steady at high levels, but markets should drop in the coming weeks as Midwest volume increases

Red Bells

• California’s Bakersfield crop continues to struggle with low yields after long bouts of excessive heat in early July
  • Overall quality is hit or miss; extra grading has been required during packing
  • Markon recommends quick turns at this time
  • The Fresno and Oxnard seasons are expected to start August 1; Hollister production will begin September 1
• Eastern Canadian greenhouse growers lost much of their crop last month, increasing overall demand for Californian stocks
• Western Canadian greenhouse supplies are adequate
  • Quality is very good
  • Size profile is large
• Volume is low in Central Mexico; however, new crop production will start in early August
• Expect elevated prices over the next two weeks

Blackberries

Blackberries supplies are tightening; prices are climbing. Extreme heat has caused quality issues in Mexican berries. Expect active markets for the next two weeks until the Pacific Northwest season begins.

• Yields are tightening in Central Mexico due to extreme heat
• California production has begun, but supplies  are not meeting demand
• Quality is fair; some red cell has been reported, as well as leaking
• The Pacific Northwest season has begun in a limited way
• Expect elevated markets and extremely tight supplies

Broccoli

MFC Premium Broccoli is available in Salinas, California; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being packed in Central Mexico (loading in South Texas).

• Markets are lower amid ample supplies available across multiple growing areas
• East Coast regions, including Quebec, Ontario, Maine, New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, will be harvested throughout the summer
• Mexican-grown product (crossing into South Texas) are seeing lower markets as well, with strong quality being reported as cooler weather sets into the region; prices are comparable to those out of California
• Prices are expected to continue easing in Santa Maria and Salinas, California this week; crowns exhibiting aesthetic defects like branchy crown structure, hollow cores, and yellowing are being left behind by harvesting crews
• Expect markets to fall this week and then stabilize as West Coast acreage increases to accommodate stronger late summer demand

Brussels Sprouts

• MFC and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are available
• The Mexican season is ending
  • Supplies are nearly depleted
  • Quality concerns are on the rise due to small size, puffy texture, bitter taste (seeder), and heavy insect pressure
• California’s Oxnard and Santa Maria seasons are underway; Salinas Valley production is just getting started
  • Remaining Mexican supplies are being harvested ahead of scheduled maturity dates in order to finish remaining acres and avoid pest and heat-related issues
  • Domestic stocks are being harvested earlier than scheduled to meet demand
• Prices have peaked and will ease gradually throughout the next two to three weeks as harvesting transitions north

Cauliflower

ESS Cauliflower is available.

• The market is weak
• Supplies are abundant in California’s Salinas and Santa Maria Valley growing regions
  • Plants are maturing quickly due to warm weather
  • Supply levels are outpacing current demand
  • Quality issues are minor, but include increased insect pressure (diamondback moth larvae), dark spotting, off color heads, and oversized/inconsistent size

• Prices will remain steady at low levels through late July

Cilantro

RSS Washed & Trimmed Cilantro is available.

• Suppliers are easily keeping pace with demand; markets are easing
• Quality concerns across Southern and Central California (Oxnard, Santa Maria, and Salinas) are declining as cooler weather sets into the region over the next 10-14 days; expect to see reduced levels of seeder/bolting, damaged/yellow leaves, and generally increased shelf-life
• Markets will remain steady at low-to-average levels through July

Grapes

The Mexican grape season is wrapping up and the industry has begun to ship California-grown fruit. To best meet Lunch Bunch demand, the Sweet Bond black seedless variety will be substituted in portioned packs and destemmed grapes.

• California-grown MFC Lunch Bunch Grapes will start shipping in late August
• The darker-color Sweet Bond variety will be substituted in supplier label Lunch Bunch cartons and 4/5-pound destemmed packs through August 27

Green Beans

East Coast green bean supplies are tightening due to poor weather. Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Trimmed Green Beans are available.

• Intense heat followed by rain from hurricane Beryl has produced quality issues and low yields in the Midwest growing regions; supplies are expected to increase in August, barring any unforeseen challenges

• Tennessee and Virginia volume is low as dry, hot weather is slowing growth
• California supplies are adequate; however, early July’s heat wave has diminished overall quality
• Although demand is strong, quality is better in Guanajuato, Mexico
• Expect elevated East Coast prices over the next two weeks; West Coast markets are stable this week

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces

Iceberg markets are inching down. Green leaf and romaine prices are fairly steady at low levels.

Iceberg

• MFC Premium Iceberg is readily available
• California quality is very good
  • Some fields are uneven in density and size
  • Minor defects such as insect damage and sun scald are being trimmed at harvest
• Regional production in Colorado, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are underway, supplementing industry availability
• Expect markets to continue decreasing through July

Green Leaf and Romaine

• MFC Premium Green Leaf is readily available
• MFC Premium Romaine is available; MBA is being substituted as needed
• California quality is good; insect pressure and burn damage are being reported
• Supplies are abundant in California; regional production is further weakening West Coast demand
• Expect low prices through July

Lemons

The 165- through 235-count domestic lemon market remains elevated due to extremely low volume and strong demand. Offshore and Mexican lemons will help supplement domestic supplies.

Domestic

• MFC and ESS Lemons are available  
• Small sizes (165- through 235-count fruit) remain extremely limited
• Quality ranges from very good to excellent
• Elevated pricing is forecast for the next six weeks

Offshore

• Offshore fruit from Argentina and Chile is arriving in North America and will run through early December
• These shipments will help fill the demand not met by California lemons
• Size will be dominated by large lemons (95- through 140-count); smaller sizes will be available as well
• Expect higher pricing compared to domestic and Mexican fruit due to high quality

Mexican

• Mexican shipments have started and will run through late November
• These supplies will help fill the demand not met by California lemons
• Size will be predominately 165- through 235-count fruit; larger sizes will be available
• Expect pricing to be comparable to domestic fruit until volume rises

Limes

Persistent rain in Veracruz, Mexico is increasing fruit size and pushing prices for large sizes lower and increasing markets for smaller fruit. MFC and ESS Limes are available. 

• Persistent rain in the Gulf of Mexico is helping fruit increase following months of drought

• Quality ranges from good to fair; expect rain to lead to increased stylar, oil spotting, and occasional decay
• Supplies of 110- to 175-count sizes will increase over the next two weeks; 200- to 250-count sizes will tighten

• Markets will adjust as the size profile increases over the next one to two weeks

Mixed Berries

The warmer weather California has been experienced over the past two weeks has tightened blackberry and raspberry yields and caused a supply gap. Prices will climb through the rest of July. Blueberries are plentiful, even with the heat stocks are ample.

Blueberries

• The San Joaquin Valley season is coming to an end
• Mexican supplies are sufficient
• Demand is steady; quality is good
• Pricing remains steady

Blackberries

• Yields have declined due to heat in Mexico and Watsonville, California
• Quality is good; production is experiencing a supply gap
• Growers in the Pacific Northwest have just begun production
• Expect markets to increase

Raspberries

• Overall supplies have decreased over the last few days
• Heat has caused a gap in production, causing markets to increase
• Quality is good
• Demand remains steady; prices are climbing

Onions

Yellow onion markets are active on yellow onions. Harvesting is winding down in California and New Mexico. New crop onion production is expected to start in Washington over the next 7-10 days.

Northern California

• MFC Onions are available
• Growers in Huron and Bakersfield continue to harvest all three colors
• Quality is good
  • Loose skins and flaking are typical of fresh-run onions
  • High heat will cause occasional sunburn/sun scalding, but internal quality remains very good
• Yellow onions are dominated by jumbo supplies; medium sizes are becoming scarce
• Jumbo and medium red onion stocks are meeting demand
• White onion supplies are adequate

New Mexico

• MFC Onions are available
• Quality is good; light sunburn and loose skins have been reported
• Monsoon season is producing isolated thunderstorms, slowing production and causing packing delays
• Prices for all yellow onion sizes are rising due to strong demand and decreasing volume
• Red onion supplies are adequate
• White onions are meeting current demand

Washington

• Yellow onion harvests will start later next
• Red onion production will begin the week of July 29
• The white onion season will get underway in mid-August

Idaho/Oregon, Colorado, Michigan, New York

• New crop onions will be harvested in multiple regions by mid-August

Pears

The Washington pear season is winding down. Imports are available from Argentina and Chile. California-grown pears will start shipping July 21.

Washington

• 110- and 120-count D’Anjou pears are available through next week; quality remains good
• Bartlett pears (from Argentina and Chile) are available yet limited; quality is very good
• Suppliers pack and sell by the count as opposed to the volume-fill method used in California
• Markets will continue to rise as demand increases

California

• The Bartlett pear season will begin July 21
• Crops are delayed as extreme temperatures have stunted growth and lowered sugar) levels
• California suppliers ship 36-pound volume-fill packs; Washington suppliers use 44-pound cartons packed by count
  • Due to this pack difference, California ships approximately six to 10 fewer pieces of fruit per unit compared to Washington
  • The attached photos show Washington and California pear packs
• Preliminary Bartlett crop estimates are down 10% from last year
• Fruit size will be well balanced; quality is expected to be excellent
• Pricing will be elevated to begin the season but will decline in August

Pineapples

Pineapple supplies are limited.

• Costa Rica’s recent drought has slowed crop growth; volume is down 50%
• Hurricane Beryl unloading delays in Freeport, Texas
• Demand will outpace supply through July
• Mexico is currently facing similar challenges
  • Stocks are limited
  • The majority of fruit is being sold in Mexico

Tomatoes

Tomatoes markets are higher than usual this summer season due to extreme weather and less overall acreage planted. MFC Tomatoes are available.

• California’s elevated temperatures in early July have reduced yields and caused quality issues (sunscald, softening) in round and Roma crops

• • Another heat wave is expected next week, exacerbating long-term yield/quality concerns
  • Expect higher prices in August
• Mexican growers will transition crops from Southern Baja to Northern Baja over the next two weeks, reducing overall volume
  • Quality has been nice on Roma and round tomatoes, smaller sizes are more common
  • Grape and cherry tomato supplies are limited
    • Most stocks are shipping from the Baja Peninsula
    • Demand is strong
    • Prices are high
  • Poor weather conditions have kept yields low in Central Mexico
• Eastern Coast supplies are adequate and meeting demand
  • Virginia grape and round tomato quality is very good; large-size rounds (5×6) dominate crops
  • The North Carolina/Tennessee mountain region has started round and Roma harvesting this week
• Expect slightly higher prices over the next two weeks and active markets in late August when California battles long-term heat/bloom drop challenges

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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