Bell Peppers

Green bell pepper harvests are transitioning north on the East Coast and in California. Red bell pepper volume is increasing due to hot weather in the California desert region. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

• California is transitioning from the Imperial Valley north into the San Joaquin Valley/Bakersfield area this week
  • New crop supplies are dominated by jumbo and extra-large sizes
  • Imperial Valley growers are shipping smaller sizes and choice grades, as that season winds down over the next week
  • Overall quality is very good
• Yields are increasing in Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas); quality is very good
• The Georgia season will end in two weeks
• North Carolina production has started
• Lower prices are expected over the next few weeks

Red Bells

• California’s Imperial Valley is in full production; elevated temperatures (103-109F) have accelerated fruit ripening
  • All sizes are available
  • Quality is very good
  • Expect growers in the San Joaquin Valley to start harvests in mid-July
• Volume is low in Central Mexico
• Canadian greenhouse production is steady
• Expect lower markets this week

Early Start to 2025 Hurricane Season

The 2025 Hurricane season has started earlier than usual this year, with four named storms off the eastern Pacific coast. These four storms, Alvin, Barbara, Cosme, and Dalila, were smaller and quickly spun off the western side of Mexico. The fifth named storm, Erick, is expected to reach category three by Thursday and make landfall east of Acapulco on Thursday morning.

• Hurricane Erick will be the first major hurricane of the 2025 season
  • The storm’s impact on produce-growing regions will be minimal, and it is expected to dissipate quickly once it reaches the higher elevations of Guerrero in Mexico
  • As the storm moves northward through Mexico, it could bring much-needed rainfall to Western Mexico, which has experienced drought conditions over the past couple of years
• Forecasters predict that the 2025 hurricane season will be active, with the potential for 13 to 18 storms this year
• The warm water abundance in the Gulf and Caribbean is expected to continue this year, potentially elevating storms to hurricane status
• Markon will continue to monitor and report on hurricane activity and any effect it may have on global supplies and markets

Green Leaf and Romaine

Green leaf and romaine prices are inching up as demand increases in Salinas and Santa Maria, California.

• MFC Premium Green Leaf and Romaine are available; Markon Best Available (MBA) Romaine is being substituted sporadically due to low weights
• Overall quality is strong; insect and mildew pressure are impacting some lots
• Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) continues to be present but manageable
• Mexican supplies, loading in South Texas, are tighter this week following heavy rains and hail
• East Coast yields have decreased as some growers have finished their spring seasons and will not resume harvests until late summer or early fall
  • Other growers continue to ramp up production for the spring and summer months
  • Consistently wet weather has slowed growth
• Expect higher prices and strong demand this week

Iceberg

Iceberg prices are escalating.

• MFC is available; MBA is being substituted when needed due to low weights
• Supplies have quickly tightened in Salinas and Santa Maria, California this week
• A severe hailstorm moved through Guanajuato, Mexico late last week, shifting processor and fresh market demand from Mexico to California
• Supplies have naturally tightened in Salinas and Santa Maria over the past week, as normal weather patterns return in California
  • Iceberg maturity is falling back to normal growth patterns, and not maturing faster than normal, as we have been witnessing over the past three months
  • As supplies fall into their normal summer pattern and demand increases due to Mexico’s supply challenges caused by the recent storm, prices will rise
• Expect higher prices and strong demand through next week

Idaho Potatoes

MFC Idaho Burbank and Norkotah Potatoes are available. Prices for large sizes (40- through 70-count supplies) are rising as storage supplies shift from Norkotahs to Burbanks. Advanced lead-time is highly recommended for full coverage.

Storage Crop

• The Norkotah season is winding down; storage crop supplies will be finished in 10-14 days
• Once Norkotahs are depleted, Burbanks will be the sole variety from July to mid-August
• Burbanks are dominated by 80-count and smaller sizes
• As the remaining storage crop shifts from Norkotahs to Burbanks, expect lower volume and rising prices for 40- through 70-count stocks
• 80-count and smaller potatoes are abundant but will diminish through June, then stabilize in July once demand shifts to those sizes
• Overall quality is good; air checks, pressure, and shoulder bruising will be seen sporadically in remaining storage supplies (both Norkotahs and Burbanks)
  • Air checks are tiny thumbnail-like cracks that are caused by stress due to abrupt temperature changes
  • Pressure and shoulder bruising (soft, external indents) result from constant contact with adjacent potatoes and/or the floor while raw product sits in storage piles

New Crop

• Ideal spring weather, with warm days and cool nights, is creating optimal growing conditions
• Acreage is down roughly 5% from last year, but with prime growing conditions so far this growing season, high yields are expected, barring any unforeseen weather events
• Water is plentiful due to the winter season’s snowpack
• Norkotah harvesting and packing normally begins in early to mid-August; however, if ideal growing conditions persist, we may see new crop supplies become available in late July or early August

Mexican Grapes

Prices are elevated; demand is strong. Updated estimates state growers lost 30% of the red grape crop and 24% of green grape harvests due to storm damage.

• ESS Grapes are available   
• The most damage is being seen in red grapes as this crop was at peak maturity with high sugar levels at the time of the storm
• Quality is expected to be good; mold and split grapes are problems
• Quality control crews will double their efforts to ensure the best quality available upon shipping
• The California season is expected to begin in mid-July
• Expect low volume and elevated markets for the next four weeks

Mixed Berries

Following recent extreme heat, the rainy season is in full swing in Central Mexico. Quality issues are being reported in mixed berries.

Blueberries

• Mexican production is quickly coming to end
  • Quality is fair
  • Size is consistent
• Volume is decreasing in the San Joaquin Valley; the season will run through June, depending on weather conditions

• Florida yields are down; the season has been shortened due to poor weather that caused quality problems
• Georgia stocks have been directed to the frozen market due to low quality
• The Pacific Northwest season will begin Monday

Blackberries

• Supplies are sufficient
• Demand is steady
• Quality ranges from fair to good
  • Heat-related issues include softness and cell regression (black cells shrink and turn red)
  • 30-40% of the Mexican crop is being rejected and sent to freezers
• California growers have started limited harvesting in the San Joaquin Valley
  • Quality is excellent
• This season will continue through early July

Raspberries

• Medium-sized berries dominate availability
• Quality problems in Central Mexico include softness, mold, and leaky berries

• Growers have started harvests in Baja, Mexico; quality is good
• California’s Watsonville/Salinas region will begin production in July

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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