Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons

California’s San Joaquin Valley melon season is reaching peak production; prices are low. Markon First Crop (MFC) Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons are available.

Cantaloupe

• Volume is up this week

• Supplies are dominated by large 9-count fruit; smaller 12- and 15-count melons are extremely limited

• Quality is very good; ground spotting, sun burn, and green cast are occasional cosmetic issues

• Expect slightly lower markets for large fruit over the next 7 days; prices for smaller 12- and 15-count fruit will remain steady

Honeydew

• Yields are sufficient

• Supplies are dominated by large 5-count fruit; 6-count melons are tightening, and 8-count fruit is extremely limited

• Quality is very good; ground spotting, sun burn, and scarring are minor problems
• Expect steady markets over the next 7-10 days

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Green leaf markets are slightly higher as supplies tighten due to heat-related defects. Iceberg prices continue to inch lower. Ample romaine supplies are keeping markets low.

Green Leaf

• MFC Premium Green Leaf is available; Markon Best Available is being subbed occasionally
• Industry volume is lower than prior weeks due to quality issues with burn, mildew, and seeder
• Markets are expected to inch up over the next seven days before stabilizing

Iceberg

• MFC Premium Iceberg is readily available
• Quality is very good
  • Some heads are uneven in density and size
  • Minor defects such as insect damage and sun scald are being trimmed at harvest
• Prices should remain weak into early August, at minimum

Romaine

• MFC Premium Romaine is readily available
• Quality has improved from prior weeks; however, some lots continue to be impacted by fringe burn and insect pressure
• Expect low markets and abundant stocks into August

Onions

California and New Mexico crops are winding down and expected to finish mid-August; new crop onions in multiple regions will begin harvesting throughout August. Markets remain active.

Northern California

• MFC Onions are available
• The season is expected to finish August 18
• Quality remains good; loose skins and flaking are typical of fresh-run onions
• Yellow onions are dominated by jumbo supplies; medium sizes are becoming scarce
• Jumbo and medium red onion stocks are meeting demand; white onion supplies remain adequate
• Markets are lower as suppliers look to wrap up remaining supplies

New Mexico

• MFC Onions are available
• The season is expected to finish by August 18
• Quality is good; light sunburn and loose skins have been reported
• Isolated thunderstorms are slowing production and causing packing delays
• Yellow onion stocks are declining; medium sizes are limited
• Red onion supplies are adequate; white onions are meeting demand
• Prices for all yellow onions are rising due to strong demand and decreasing volume

Washington

• Yellow onion harvests are expected to start late next week
• Red onion production will begin the week of August 5
• The white onion season will get underway in mid-August

Idaho/Oregon, Colorado, Michigan, and New York

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

Oranges

The California Valencia crop is dominated by large sizes; small fruit (113- and 138-count oranges) remains limited. With many schools starting in the next two to three weeks, small-size fruit will become extremely scarce. Size and grade substitutions may be necessary to fill orders; offshore fruit is an option during this time.

California

• MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Valencia Oranges are available
• Supplies are dominated by large sizes (56- to 88-count packs); smaller sizes (113- to 138-count cartons) are limited
• Expect 113- and 138-count oranges to become extremely scarce once schools start

• Prolonged heat in California’s San Joaquin Valley has caused some re-greening in oranges (see attached flyer)
• Initial reports project California Navels will begin shipping in mid- to late October
• Expect steady yet elevated markets and extremely limited supplies of all small fruit through early October

Chile

• Oranges are being imported into both the East and West Coasts

• Supplies are increasing week over week
• Quality is great; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
• Large sizes dominate shipments

South Africa

• South African fruit is being imported into the East Coast
• Supplies are increasing week over week
• Quality is great; sugar levels range from 10-14 Brix
• The availability of 105- to 125-count packs is limited

Pineapples

Pineapple supplies are limited.

• Costa Rica’s recent drought has slowed crop growth; volume is down 50%
• While current rain and cloudy weather can increase sugar levels, they can also cause translucency/water logging in larger sizes
• Small sizes will become more readily available in the coming weeks while large fruit will remain limited for the next four weeks due to quality challenges caused by the excessive rain
• Mexico supplies are scarce due to poor weather; most fruit is not being exported

Potatoes

MFC Burbank and Norkotah Potatoes are available in Idaho and Washington. Storage supplies will be depleted in four weeks.

Storage Crop

Idaho

• MFC Burbank Potatoes will run through early to mid-August
• 40- to 50-count supplies remain extremely tight; six-week averages will be implemented for shipping large sizes through mid-August
• 80- through 120-count stocks are ample

Washington

• MFC Norkotah Potatoes continue to ship from storage
• Supplies will run out at the end of July
• 90- through 120-count sizes dominate availability

Colorado

• Norkotah shipments will wrap up in mid- to late August
• Volume is dominated by 90-through 120-count stocks

New Crop Norkotahs

• Washington new crop production will begin the first week of August
• Idaho’s new crop harvesting will start in a limited manner the week of August 12; the bulk of production will get going the week of August 26
• The Colorado season is expected to get underway in early September

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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