Bell Peppers

Red bell pepper prices are increasing due to tightening supplies in the California desert. Green bell peppers on the East Coast are transitioning north due to a recent heatwave and hailstorm that affected Georgia production. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Red Bells

• California’s Imperial Valley production is slowing down as previous hot weather has accelerated the harvesting schedule
  • The region is expecting another heat wave of 109-112°F this upcoming weekend
  • Growers in Bakersfield are expected to start limited harvests next week and full production on July 7
• Volume is low out of Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas)
• Canadian greenhouse production is steady; quality is great
• Expect higher markets over the next two weeks or until Bakersfield production is well established

Green Bells

• The Georgia season is winding down; a recent hailstorm has ended the season sooner than planned
• North Carolina production is expected to continue for another three weeks
• The Northeast and Midwest regions are expected to start harvesting in the next week
• Volume is steady in California’s Bakersfield area
  • Quality is excellent
  • All sizes are available
• Yields are sufficient in Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas); quality is good
• Expect steady to slightly higher prices over the next two weeks

Broccoli

California

• MFC Premium Broccoli is being harvested in California’s Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys. Markon Best Available (MBA) may be substituted as necessary due to inconsistent quality
• Prices are on the rise; quality has declined
• Tighter supplies are forecast for the next two to four weeks, as pest pressure from Diamondback moths impacts yields
• Cooler nighttime temperatures have slowed growth, promoted mildew, and led to occasional purple cast on crowns
• West Coast acreage will drop off through June and July as regional/local harvests begin across the country
• Expect markets to remain elevated for at least the front part of July, with a potential to spike with an influx of demand should other regions experience any kind of crop failure

Mexico

• Mexican-grown MFC Premium Broccoli continues to ship into South Texas
• Prices have remained comparable to West Coast markets, but should trend lower
• Quality ranges from fair to good
  • Sporadic hollow core is being caused by high heat following rains
  • Some mechanical damage has been noted
• Scattered thunderstorms across Central Mexico are bringing a threat of hail damage; heavier rains may prevent harvesting teams from accessing some fields, reducing availability

East Coast/Midwest/Canada

• Various regions will experience short growing seasons through the summer

• • The Georgia season has ended
  • North Carolina production has been delayed, creating a supply gap
  • Early season rains followed by high heat have led to stunted growth in most lots
• The Maine and Michigan seasons are due to start in the next two weeks and will run through October
• New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York will also begin harvesting in early July and last through August
• Limited production is underway in Eastern Canada (Ontario), helping to calm markets

Brussels Sprouts

Markets are escalating as the Mexican season winds down. MFC and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are available.

Baja, Mexico

• Supplies are diminishing as the season winds down

• High temperatures and tropical weather are affecting quality, causing some suppliers to end the season earlier than expected
• Quality is fair
  • Remaining plants are past peak production
  • Issues such as seeder, dark spotting/wilted leaves, and a reduced shelf-life are being reported

Oxnard, California

• Stocks are available, but acreage is minimal for this short season

• Quality is fairly good, but insect pressure is an increasing issue

Salinas, California

• Growers will begin harvesting in a limited manner by the first week of July
• Elevated pricing will persist for the next two weeks as production shifts to Salinas

California Strawberries

Strawberry demand is strong due to the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. The California season is at its peak; no availability or quality concerns are expected at this time.

Salinas/Watsonville

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Quality is excellent
  • Color is ruby red
  • Minor issues include odd shape and light bruising
• Size ranges from medium to medium-large (12-15) berries per 1-pound clamshell, (30-32)

• Expect markets to inch up as the Fourth of July holiday nears

Oxnard/Santa Maria, California

• MFC Strawberries are available

• Quality is good; some green tips have been reported
• Size is medium (20-24 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell)
• The Oxnard and Santa Maria seasons are past their peaks; volume will start to decline
• Expect prices to increase in July

Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons

Cantaloupe and honeydew production will transition north to Central California starting next week. MFC Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons are available.

Cantaloupe

Arizona-California Desert Region

• The season is winding down
• The crop is dominated by large/9-count fruit;12-and 15- count sizes are limited
• Quality is good; sugar levels range from 13-16% Brix

San Joaquin Valley, California

• Harvests will begin early next week

• New crop supplies are dominated by small/12- and 15-count sizes
• Size will increase as the season ramps up
• Quality is excellent; flavor is sweet
• Expect elevated markets over the next two weeks as the transition occurs and demand increases for the Fourth of July

Honeydew

Arizona-California Desert Region

• The season is winding down
• The crop is dominated by large/5-count fruit; small/8-count sizes are limited
• Quality remains fair; scarring is being caused by strong winds
• Quality is good; sugar levels range from 13-16% Brix

Sonora, Mexico

• The season will end next week
• The crop is dominated by 5- and 6-count sizes
• Quality is excellent
• Expect markets to rise as this transition occurs and demand shifts to domestic fruit

San Joaquin Valley, California

• Harvesting will begin late next week

• New crop supplies are dominated by small/8-count sizes
• Size will increase as the season ramps up
• Quality is excellent; flavor is sweet

Cauliflower

Prices are rising; supplies are tightening in all regions. ESS Cauliflower is readily available.

• Consecutive days of cool, overcast weather have slowed growth in California’s Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys
  • Overall quality is good; some discoloration and smaller/inconsistent sizing are being reported
  • Nine-count supplies are limited as growers are harvesting fields early to fill orders
  • Higher temperatures are forecast for next week

• North Carolina supplies are limited due to high heat and rain; demand has shifted to the West Coast
• Volume will ramp up in Maine, New York, and New Jersey in early July
• Markets are projected to remain elevated for the next 7-10 days as demand is strong for the Fourth of July holiday

Citrus

The California Navel orange season is projected to wrap up in late June. California Valencia orange production is in full swing. Small California lemons (165- and 200-count sizes) remain in short supply; the crop is dominated by large sizes (95- through 140-count fruit).

Oranges

Valencia

• MFC and ESS Valencia Oranges are available

• Availability is beginning to shift towards large sizes (56- through 88-count fruit)
• Small sizes (113- through 138-count fruit) remain adequate, but are starting to tighten due to warm weather
• Quality is great; color is deep orange and flavor is sweet
• Mexican Valencia supplies (crossing into Nogales, Arizona) will be shipped until early June
• Expect prices for small-sized oranges to slowly increase

Navel

• MFC and ESS Navel Oranges are available

• Small sizes (113- through 138-count fruit) remain limited in California
• Quality is good; early signs of decay have been reported
• The California Navel season is expected to wrap up in mid-June
• Expect high prices

Lemons

• MFC and ESS Lemons are available  
• Districts One and Two (the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California) are currently in production
• 165- and 200-count sizes are limited; size is dominated by 95- through 140-count lemons
• The offshore season is expected to start in early June
• The Mexican season will begin in early July
• Expect elevated markets with summer demand ramping up

Iceberg

Iceberg prices continue to escalate.

• MFC Premium Iceberg Lettuce is available; MBA is being substituted when needed due to low industry weights
• Demand remains strong in Salinas and Santa Maria, California
  • A recent hailstorm damaged mature crops in Guanajuato, Mexico, shifting processor and fresh market demand from Mexico to California
  • Growers who’ve been discing fields over the past few months due to ample supplies are now reaching into next week’s fields to keep pace with current demand
• California iceberg fields have reverted to normal growth patterns and are not maturing faster than normal, as witnessed over the past three months
  • MFC weights will be achievable in the coming weeks
  • Upcoming fields will exhibit lower overall weights and require close sorting by harvest crews to achieve MFC specifications
• Elevated markets are anticipated for the next two to three weeks, at minimum

Imported Lemons

There have been some unexpected shifts across the lemon supply chain. Argentina and Chilean growers have pushed imported business towards the European market due to higher pricing. This shift has reduced U.S imported lemon supply levels by as much as 58% which will tighten domestic stocks and increase markets.

Argentina

• Supplies are shipping into the East Coast
• Historically, Europe was the main market for Argentine lemons, but in recent years, the U.S has led in order volume
• Demand dropped in Europe due to the war in Ukraine and stricter black spot regulations
• That shift created a surplus, causing prices to drop below growers’ costs
• Imports into the U.S are down this year, driven by fears of low pricing and the impact of tariffs
• Growers are seeing $5-$7 higher returns in Europe compared to the U.S
• Expect reduced shipments into the U.S as growers chase higher sales in Europe

Chile

• Limited supplies are shipping into the East Coast
• Chilean growers are expected to follow in the footsteps of Argentina and shift business towards Europe for higher pricing
• Small sizes (165- through 235-count fruit) will dominate availability; large sizes (115- through 140-count fruit) will be shipped, but snug
• Chilean palletization:
  • 72 cases per pallet
  • Box weight is 33-35 pounds versus domestic lemons packed to 40 pounds

Mexico

• Mexican lemons will start crossing into South Texas in mid-July
• Large sizes (115- through 140-count fruit) will dominate shipments; smaller sizes (165- through 235-count fruit) will be available also
• Mexico palletization:
  • 54 cases per pallet
  • Box weight is 40 pounds

Mixed Berries

Extreme heat and rain have caused quality problems in Mexican berry crops. Prices are rising as raspberry harvesting shifts to Baja, Mexico and blueberry production moves to Oregon.

Blueberries

• The Mexican season has ended
• Volume is decreasing in California’s San Joaquin Valley; the season will run through June, depending on weather conditions

• Florida yields are down; the season has been shortened as poor weather is causing quality problems

• Georgia stocks have been directed to the frozen market due to low quality
• Limited supplies are now shipping from Eastern Washington and Hermiston, Oregon
• Expect markets to inch up

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)
  • Fungal development has been reported
  •  Some growers have had problems getting trucks into hoop-house harvesting areas
• California growers have started limited harvesting in the San Joaquin Valley
  • Quality is excellent
  • This season will continue through early July
• Prices are slowly climbing

Raspberries

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

• • The season is starting to wind down
  • Most growers have moved to Baja

• California’s Santa Maria season is underway; quality is excellent

• Growers will harvest in California’s Watsonville/Salinas region in July

• Expect markets to remain steady.

Onions

The Washington storage onion season is winding down while Northern California and New Mexico are in full swing. Markets remain steady at lower levels.

Washington

• MFC Onions are available
• Yellow and red onion storage supplies will finish over the next two to three weeks
• Quality is fair to good; occasional translucency is being reported
• White onions remain very limited
• Markets are holding steady at low prices

California

• MFC Onions are available
• The Southern California desert season has finished; Northern California is in full swing
• All sizes are adequate (peaking on larger sizes) following the transition from Southern California

• Quality is good; excess skin is typical of fresh-run onions
• Higher moisture content is to be expected with fresh run onions and will translate to shorter shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quicker turns
• Markets are steady

New Mexico

• MFC Onions are available
• Supplies of all sizes are adequate
• Quality is good; excess skin is typical of fresh-run onions
• Higher moisture content is to be expected with fresh run onions and will translate to shorter shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quicker turns
• Rain is forecast for this week; growers were able to pack ahead in anticipation of reduced harvests
• Expect markets to rise temporarily over the next week due to rain

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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