Avocados

Industry supplies are adequate across all growing regions; however, delays and potential shortages are expected due to labor shortages during the upcoming Holy Week, which runs from March 29 to Easter Sunday on April 5. Markon recommends increasing inventory heading into the holiday to avoid possible delays, shortages, and substitutions.

Mexico

• Although all sizes will remain plentiful, shortages are forecast due to reduced harvesting during Holy Week
• Size and grade substitutions may be needed to fill orders during Holy Week
• Markon recommends increasing inventory heading into the holiday to avoid possible delays, shortages, and substitutions
• Quality is good; checkerboarding (uneven ripening within a case) has been reported
• Expect slowly increasing markets and tighter supplies during the Holy Week holiday

California

• New crop production is in full swing
• California supplies account for 10-15% of U.S. demand
• Supplies are dominated by medium sizes (48- through 60-count fruit)
• Quality is good; firm fruit has been reported even when ripe
• Expect prices to inch up and volume to dip during Holy Week

Colombia

• Imports will ship into the East Coast through May; these supplies only account for 5% of U.S. demand
• The crop is currently dominated by small sizes (60- to 84-count fruit)
• Quality is comparable to that in Mexico; texture is creamy and oil content is high

Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons

Honeydew prices continue to climb, driven by extremely scarce supplies. Cantaloupe markets are firm; demand is shifting from other melon varieties, tightening stocks.

Cantaloupe – Central America

• Availability remains workable but is tightening
• Although overall coverage remains limited, a wide range of sizes is available
• Quality is strong; sugar levels range from 13 to 15% Brix
• Markets will continue to rise as demand increases

Honeydew – Central America

• Supplies remain extremely limited in an environment where demand‑exceeds‑supply
• Production issues will restrict availability through March
• Increased supplies are not expected before early April
• Prorates and flexibility remain necessary
• Prices are elevated and continue to climb

Honeydew – Mexico

• Production is getting a slow start
• Near‑term supplies are limited and unable to offset offshore shortages
• As Northern Mexico gains momentum, expect increased availability of five- and six‑count fruit
• Markets will remain high until production is more consistent

Chile Peppers

Chile pepper markets remain elevated across all varieties due to limited yields in the primary growing region of Mexico. Markon First Crop (MFC) Chile Peppers are limited; packer label is being substituted as needed.

Mexico

• Poor weather earlier in the season severely affected plantings and lowered volume; pest and disease pressure are the primary issues
• Quality ranges from fair to good
• New crop production will ramp up in Central Mexico in mid-April
• Expect extremely elevated prices for four to six weeks

Florida

• February’s freeze destroyed much of the Florida crop, driving demand to Mexico
• Georgia peppers will not be harvested until early May
• Expect better availability and lower pricing once East Coast production picks up in April/May

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is currently shipping out of three regions including California, Florida, Mexico, and Texas. The Florida will wind down over the next three weeks.

California

• The Star Ruby variety is being harvested out of District 1 (California Central Valley)
• Harvesting will run through August
• The crop is currently dominated by 48- and 56-count fruit
• Expect steady markets and good-quality supplies

Florida

• The season is winding down quickly; some growers will end production as soon as next week
• Remaining supplies are dominated by size 36-count fruit; quality is good
• Expect steady markets as the season comes to an end

South Texas

• The Ruby Red season will run through April
• 36- and 48-count sizes are most plentiful
• Expect steady markets and good-quality supplies through mid-April

Mexico

• The season will run through April
• The crop is dominated by 32- and 36-count fruit
• Expect steady markets and adequate volume through mid-April

Grapes

Chile’s primary growing region will receive up to two inches of rain on Tuesday, March 17, driving up prices significantly for the month of April. This week’s Chilean grape harvest will arrive in U.S. ports between April 2 and 5.

Chilean

• The Peruvian/Chilean green and red seedless seasons will end in early May
• MFC Lunch Bunch Grapes will ship from storage through late May 

• Quality is good; some soft/damaged fruit is being reported
• Expect tight supplies and rising markets through the end of the season

Mexico

• MFC and Markon Essentials Seedless Grapes will become available in early May
• Green and red seedless grapes are expected to begin shipping in early May
• The MFC Lunch Bunch season will start in late May
• Expect elevated pricing in the early season; markets will gradually decrease as volume rises

Imported Stone Fruit

Although the Chilean stone fruit season is past its peak, supplies remain ample. The domestic season will begin in May.

Peaches/Nectarines

• Supplies are plentiful, but diminishing week over week
• Quality is good: sugar levels range from 10 to 12 Brix
• The season will run through April
• Expect elevated markets until the domestic season starts in May

Plums

• Volume is high
• Quality is good: sugar levels range from 12 to 14 Brix
• The season will run through May
• High prices will persist until the domestic season starts in May

Onions

Storage crop MFC Onions are available in Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and Washington. Fresh run Markon First Crop (MFC) Onions are available in Texas.

Pacific Northwest

• Washington, Idaho, and Oregon growers expect storage supplies to be depleted in late April
• Some suppliers will continue to ship into early May or begin transferring fresh run onions from other regions to fill orders
• Quality ranges from fair to good; internal browning, bruising, double-hearts, decay, sprouting, and translucency are becoming more prevalent as the season nears its end
• Markon recommends ordering for quicker turns and limiting inventory to avoid quality issues
• Yellow and white onion FOB prices are slightly lower; red onion markets are steady
• Expect stable markets over the next seven to ten days

Colorado

• Storage supplies will be depleted this week
• Quality ranges from good to fair; translucency is present in the remaining stocks
• Expect steady prices

Utah

• Storage supplies will be exhausted by March 27
• Quality ranges from good to fair; translucency, bruising, and internal browning are occasional problems
• Expect level markets over the next two weeks

Mexico

• Yellow, red, and white onions are sporadically crossing into South Texas
• Growers report a wide range in quality and pricing; green cast, soft texture, mechanical damage, and thin skins are to be expected with fresh run onions
• Markon recommends ordering for quicker turns
• Prices are slightly lower

Texas

• Fresh-run red, yellow, and white onions are available
• Early lots are dominated by jumbo through colossal size onions; super-colossal sizes are limited
• Due to a Texas marketing order, No. 2 grade onions will not be available
• Quality is good; fresh-run onions will exhibit higher moisture content, thinner skins, and overall shorter shelf life
• Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• FOB prices are higher than the markets for domestic storage supplies and Mexican imports
• Expect steady prices over the next 7-10 days

Oranges

The Cara Cara orange crop is dominated by large sizes; small fruit (113- and 138-count oranges) are becoming limited as the season will end in late April. Imported Moroccan Valencia oranges will be available on the East Coast through July. Three-week advanced notice is required for orders.

Cara Cara

• Supplies are currently being harvested in California
• Large sizes (56- through 88-count fruit) are most plentiful
• Quality is excellent; current sugar levels range from 12-14 Brix
• Expect slowly climbing prices for choice and fancy grade fruit as well as small sizes (113- and 138-count supplies)

Moroccan

• Ample supplies are arriving from Morocco; loading is in New Jersey
• Valencia quality is very good
  • Sugar levels range from 12-15 Brix
  • Quality is superior to Florida and Mexican oranges
• Stocks are dominated by 113-count fancy oranges
• Import palletization:
  • 72 cases per pallet
  • Box weight is 38 pounds (17 KG)
• Domestic palletization:
  • 54 cases per pallet (18 KG)
  • Box weight is 40 pounds
• Expect steady markets and ample supplies through April

Red and Yellow Potatoes

MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available in Idaho and North Dakota. Red potatoes are in good supply with larger sizes dominating packouts. Yellow potatoes are limited in multiple regions due to higher demand and lower yields. Increasing prices are expected over the next six to eight weeks, especially for yellow potatoes.

Idaho

• MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available
• Reds
  • Quality is very good
  • B size prices are rising
• Yellows
  • Yields are lower as growers are culling stocks with pressure bruising, air checks, greening and lenticles (picture attached)
  • Markets are climbing for all sizes and grades

North Dakota

• MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available
• Reds
  • Quality is good; skins are dark
  • Prices are holding steady with a slight market increase in B size supplies
• Yellows
  • Quality is good
  • Strong demand is pushing up prices

Colorado and Washington

• Supplies are adequate in both regions but demand is shifting from East Coast
• Reds
  • Quality is good with light pink skin and occasional blemishes
  • Increasing demand is affect markets
• Yellows
  • Quality is good
  • Prices are inching up

Florida

• Availability across all colors and sizes is tight as growers navigate the impacts of the January freeze

• Reds and Yellows
  • Quality is very good
  • Expect elevated markets for all sizes, colors, and grades through April

Squash

Prices have eased in Florida; plants have rebounded in South Florida due to ideal weather post winter freeze. MFC Zucchini and Yellow Squash are available.

Florida

• Production has increased due to ideal weather and weak demand
• Overall quality is good
• Expect lower markets next week

Mexico

• Volume is moderate
• Sonora will experience hot weather this week (mid-90s), which will increase yields
• Yellow squash yields are lower than zucchini
• Quality ranges from average to very good; occasional mechanical scarring has been reported
• Prices will inch down over the next two weeks as East Coast buyers shift orders back to Florida

Strawberries

Elevated temperatures are prematurely ending the Florida and Texas strawberry seasons. California volume is rising in Santa Maria and Oxnard; quality is excellent.

Santa Maria/Oxnard, California

• Current weather conditions are warmer than normal
• High heat has decreased yields

• Quality is good ; good shape, color, and flavor are being reported
• Size ranges from medium plus to large (10-14 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell)

• Expect low pricing

Salinas/Watsonville

• Warmer weather in these growing regions has increased yields
• High temperatures have reduced volume
• Quality is good; defects are minimal
• Size ranges from 14 to 15 berries per 1-pound clamshell
• Expect minimal numbers for another two weeks
• Markets are stable

Florida

• Temperatures in the mid-80s to mid-90s have ended the Florida season for most growers
• High heat softened and bruised berries
• Prices are steady at the lower end

Tomatoes

Tomato prices are climbing. Supplies are tighter this week; a national Mexican holiday on March 16 reduced labor and production. MFC Tomatoes are available.

Rounds

• Mexican crossings are limited this week following a national holiday and stronger demand
  • The Sonora and Sinaloa growing regions are experiencing very hot weather this week, forcing early morning harvest starts
  • Quality issues persist due to reduced border inspections and harvesting of previously abandoned fields
  • Large sizes (4×4 & 4×5) are limited
• Florida supplies are extremely tight following recent poor weather, including freezing temperatures, strong winds, and frost damage
  • Quality is fair, requiring additional grading
  • Expect snug supplies until mid- to late April
• Expect higher prices next week and overall volatile market shifts over the next month until new growing regions get underway in late April

Romas

• Mexican supplies are snug this week due to hot weather, reduced harvesting, and strong demand
  • Medium sizes are the most abundant
  • Quality is mixed as some growers are harvesting older fields
• Florida stocks will remain limited until mid- to late April; stronger demand has increased prices
• Quality is fair; higher grading is required
• Expect stronger markets over the next week with volatility until mid-April

Grape & Cherry Varieties

• Florida volume is low due to freezing weather conditions this past winter
• Mexican supplies are tightening; the heat wave is affecting production schedules
• Expect slightly higher prices over the next week

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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