Apples

Storage crop Washington Markon First Crop (MFC) Gala, Fuji, and Red Delicious Apples remain available. The Washington MFC Granny Smith and Golden Delicious seasons are beginning to wind down. Michigan apples are readily available.

• Size substitutions may be necessary for Washington MFC Granny Smith and Golden Delicious Apple order coverage until new crop harvesting begins
  • Prices have increased
  • Cold, rainy, and snowy weather last spring hindered apple development at the start of the growth process
• Michigan apple volume remains high
  • Seasonal yields are well-above average
  • Ideal weather conditions this past spring and summer produced an abundant crop
• Please see the grid below for a quick reference to Michigan and Washington apple transitions and current size profiles:

Washington

Michigan

Asparagus

Markets are elevated; industry volume is down 25-40% from the same time last year.

Mexico

• Central Mexico is the primary growing region at this time
  • Full production out of Central Mexico is expected slightly later than normal (late July)
  • Recent rains followed by a warming trend pushed spear production ahead of schedule
• Harvesting has wrapped up in Southern Baja
• Northern Baja (regarded as the premium asparagus growing region) will begin to open fields this weekend, easing supply pressure

Peru

• Volume is increasing week over week but remains lower than normal due to an early onset of El Nino weather patterns
• FOB pricing in Florida is comparable to that of Mexican product (crossing southern border)

Broccoli and Cauliflower

Prices are low. Favorable weather is aiding growth; supplies are ample.

Broccoli

• MFC Iceless Broccoli Crowns are available in Salinas, California and South Texas  
  • Quality is fair at best as warm weather has brought faster growth but introduced other challenges
  • Cat eye, brown bead, yellowing, and bracketed structure are being observed in some lots
• Mexican product is available for loading in South Texas; yields historically tighten through the monsoon season (June through August), but recent reports have been positive
• Overall markets are expected to stay relatively flat over the next two to three weeks, barring any heavy storm activity

Cauliflower

• ESS Cauliflower is available in Salinas, California
• Quality is strong, discoloration is minimal and head size  is consistent
• Prices will fall during the current warming trend, but inch back up next week

Brussels Sprouts

Domestic Brussels sprout volume is low but starting to rise in the Salinas and Castroville growing regions. Despite increases, demand still far exceeds available supply. Expect elevated markets and limited stocks to persist until Salinas production ramps towards the end of July. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are limited; packer label is being substituted to fill orders.

Mexico

• Stocks are diminishing
• Late season quality issues have continued to reduce yields

California

• Production is ongoing in Oxnard
• Salinas Valley production remains behind schedule due to stubbornly cold weather through the spring and early summer
• Small sprouts dominate availability as growers must harvest immature fields to fill orders

California Stone Fruit

The California stone fruit season is at its peak; nectarine, peach, plum, and apricot supplies are abundant.

Peaches/Nectarines

• Nectarines expected to ship through September, followed by peaches that will wind down in mid-October
• Quality is good; sugar levels typically range from 12 to 15 Brix
• Expect ample supplies and steady markets over the next three weeks

Plums

• The California season will run through mid-October
• Growers are currently shipping black plums
• Quality is good; sugar levels typically range from 16 to 20 Brix
• Stocks will remain plentiful and prices will remain stable over the next three weeks

Apricots

• The California season will continue through mid-September
• Quality is good; sugar levels range between 12 and 16 Brix
• High volume and steady markets are anticipated over the next two weeks

Celery

Celery markets continue to decline as supplies increase in the Salinas Valley.

California

• Santa Maria production continues year-round; the current size profile is dominated by large-size/24-count stalks
• Salinas harvests continue to ramp up as the season progresses, warm weather is promoting growth
• Quality is excellent; stalks are firm with ideal color

Michigan

• Early harvesting is underway; the majority of production will start the week of July 24

Cilantro

Cilantro markets continue to fall; supplies are increasing on California’s Central Coast.

• Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Washed & Trimmed Cilantro is available
• Quality has improved from prior weeks; yellowing and premature breakdown are much less prevalent
• The primary quality issue has been seeder, brought on by high temperatures in the growing regions
  • Warm weather and long days encourage reproductive growth in plants; frilly shoots are being observed in final packs (see photos in stand-alone update sent 7/20 @ 10:51 AM PST)
  • While mostly an aesthetic defect and almost impossible to detect once product has been processed/chopped, Markon is working with suppliers to minimize
• Younger plantings from Salinas, Santa Maria, and Oxnard, California are entering the market with less seeder
• Markets are expected to remain relatively low for the next one to two weeks

Citrus

Prices for small lemons remain elevated due to tight supplies and strong demand. Offshore and Mexican lemons have begun shipping into the West Coast, helping fill the void of 165- through 235-count domestic lemons.

Lemons

• MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Lemons are available  
• Small-size lemons (165- through 235-count fruit) will remain limited over the next 4 to 6 weeks
• Expect to make size and/or country of origin changes to help fill orders for small size lemons
• Offshore and Mexican supplies have arrived on the West Coast to help fill small-size shortages
• Expect elevated pricing and tight supplies over the next four to six weeks

Oranges

• MFC and ESS Valencia Oranges are available
• The California Navel season has ended; supplies have been depleted
• California Valencia volume is rising; new crop fruit is dominated by 88- through 113-count oranges
• Quality is great; eating quality and color have been excellent with current testing showing an average of 13-14 Brix
• Expect steady markets and sufficient supplies

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces

Ample supplies of green leaf and romaine persist, keeping markets depressed. Iceberg yields are adequate; demand has increased on the West Coast due to climatic challenges in the Eastern Seaboard growing areas.

Green Leaf and Romaine

• MFC Premium Green Leaf and Romaine are readily available
• Quality is good; fringe burn, internal burn, and insect pressure are present in some lots
• Markets are expected to remain steady at low levels through July

Iceberg

• MFC Premium Iceberg is currently being packed; Markon Best Available (MBA) may be substituted if necessary
• Quality is very good; insect pressure, sunscald, and wind damage are present in some lots
• Demand for West Coast iceberg is strong; markets are expected to be steady to slightly higher through July

Melons

New crop cantaloupe and honeydew production is underway in California’s San Joaquin Valley; markets are low. MFC Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons are available.

Cantaloupe

• San Joaquin Valley, California is experiencing high temperatures (105+F); growers are taking extra precautions to protect fruit quality
  • Cooler evening temps (75F), extra watering, and minimal disruption of foliage by crews (fruit shade) is reducing heat concerns
  • Quality is excellent in most lots; sugar levels range from 12-14 Brix
  • The crop is dominated by large sizes (nine- and jumbo nine-count fruit)
• The Arizona/California desert season is ending; quality is fair to poor due to extreme heat
• Expect steady to slightly lower markets this week due to the harvesting transition overlap

Honeydew

• New crop production is starting this week in California’s San Joaquin Valley despite hot weather
  • Quality is very good
  • Sugar levels range from 12-14 Brix
• Remaining Arizona/California desert stocks are suffering in quality due to excessive heat of 115F
  • Size is dominated by jumbo five-count melons
  • Six-count and smaller fruit is snug
• Expect slightly lower markets next week

Mixed Berries

Blueberry volume is at promotable levels, while blackberry prices are rising due to tight stocks. Raspberry markets are stable.

Blackberries

• California supplies are limited but expected to rebound in late July/early August
• The North Carolina season is winding while New Jersey numbers increase
• Pacific Northwest growers will start production next week, significantly increasing overall volume
• Expect more plentiful supplies, improved quality, and decreasing markets leading up to August

Blueberries

• Growers in Oregon and Washington will harvest the bulk of the North American crop through July
• Pacific Northwest quality is excellent
• Expect promotable volume through July

Raspberries

• California supplies are diminishing
  • The Oxnard and Santa Maria seasons are winding down
  • Watsonville production is slow due to cool, wet mornings but is steadily increasing
• Mexican supplies are limited
• Overall volume is expected to increase in August
• Raspberry markets are elevated but stable

Pears

Washington D’Anjou Pear supplies will be depleted by the end of next week. California pear growers will start shipping new crop Bartletts by the middle of next week.

Washington

• Remaining stocks are dominated by large size pears (90- and 100- count sizes)
• 110-count and smaller pears are limited

California

• Growers pack and sell by the count as opposed to the volume-fill method used in Washington
  • California suppliers ship 40-pound packs; Washington growers use 44-pound cartons
  • Due to this pack difference, California ships approximately 6 to 10 fewer pieces of fruit per unit compared to Washington
  • The attached photos show Washington and California pear packs

2023-2024 Washington New Crop

• The Bartlett season is forecast to begin in mid-August
• D’Anjou production will start in early September

Pineapples

Pineapple supplies remain scarce in Costa Rica, Mexico, and South America. Historically, pineapples become limited from mid-June through August. Large sizes (five- and six-count fruit) are extremely scarce while smaller sizing is also tightening. Markets continue to rise; coverage will be sporadic with pro rates and size substitutions expected over the next six weeks.

• Costa Rica is producing 95% of current pineapple volume; Ecuador and Mexico makeup the remaining 5%
• A seasonal decline in overall supply is typically expected from mid-June through August; small sizes typically dominate the market
• This season, with the adverse weather conditions experienced, supply shortages are more extreme than years past
• All sizes are limited
• Quality is good with occasional lots showing decay, softness, mold, and overripens
• Expect heavy pro rates and size substitutions through August

Strawberries

Markets continue to rise rapidly as the Santa Maria spring season winds down. Warmer temperatures and high humidity are causing berries to exhibit softness, bruising, and initial stages of decay in some lots. Suppliers are culling poor quality fruit, reducing available yields. Expect markets to continue to rising as well as decreased shelf-life over the next several weeks. Markon recommends ordering for quick turns.

Santa Maria

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Fruit size is small (20 to 24 berries per one-pound clamshell)
• Softness, bruising, and occasional decay have been reported in some lots
• Growers are culling fruit, causing estimates to fall short; prorates are expected
• Spring crops are winding down; the fall crop will begin in August

Salinas/Watsonville

• MFC Strawberries are available

• Fruit size is gradually becoming smaller (18 to 22 berries per one-pound clamshell)
• Softness and slight bruising have been reported
• Demand is strong and markets are high; supply is limited

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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