Avocados

Demand exceeds supply; expect elevated prices for the next four weeks as Mexican growers are uncertain about the potential tariffs scheduled to begin April 2, 2025.

Mexico

• All sizes are tight; demand exceeds supply
• Size and grade substitutions may be requested to fill orders
• Quality is good; checkerboarding (uneven ripening within a case) has been reported

California

• Harvest has increased after recent California rains
• California supplies will help fill the void from Mexican-grown product
• Supplies are dominated by medium sizes (48- through 60-count fruit)
• Quality is good; firm fruit has been reported even when ripe
• Expect high prices; demand is strong due to Mexican shortages

Colombia

• Imports will ship into the East Coast through May; these supplies only account for 5% of U.S. demand
• Expect decreasing supplies over the next two weeks as growers transition to new crop fruit
• 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

Cauliflower Seasonal Harvesting Transition

The Arizona-California desert season is coming to an end; supplies are now being shipped out of Salinas and Santa Maria. Markon Essentials (ESS) Cauliflower is available; packer label is being substituted as necessary.

• Production is moving from the Arizona/California desert region to Salinas, California
  • ESS Cauliflower will begin shipping on March 24
  • Several suppliers began harvesting this week
• Supplies are also available in Santa Maria, California; prices are comparable to other regions
• Quality ranges from fair to good; discoloration/black spotting, bruising, and smaller head size are occasional issues
• Warmer weather is forecast through the end of the month
  • The desert region is expected to reach temperatures into the mid-90s next week; expect some heat-related issues such as browning/discoloration and insect pressure on remaining supplies
  • The Salinas Valley will experience moderate weather suitable for growth
• Expect softer pricing next week as supplies ramp up in the Salinas Valley and growers work through their final desert fields

From the Fields: Heatwave in the Desert Region (March 24)

A strong high-pressure ridge is causing widespread, elevated heat in the Arizona/California desert growing region. Weekend temperatures were in the low 90°s and will be in the mid- to upper 90°s today, with maximum temperatures of up to 104° expected on Tuesday, March 25. Some cooling will occur by the end of the week, with temperatures in the mid-80s to low 90°s.

Markon inspectors are working with suppliers of commodity and value-added row crops such as broccoli, lettuces, and tender leaf items to ensure that Markon products are being harvested well before peak temperatures set in. Many harvesting crews are starting as early as 3:00 – 4:00 a.m. We may see curtailed harvest schedules if/when temperatures reach unsafe levels for harvesting crews.

Quality and shelf-life potential for the above-mentioned items have already been declining due to heat, high winds, and rain events in February and early March. This week’s extreme heat will only exacerbate the current challenges, but harvesting and processing crews will work to mitigate heat-related defects that develop in the days ahead.

Ordering for quick turns is highly recommended and as always, strict cold chain management is critical for maximizing quality and shelf-life.

From the Fields: Value-Added Romaine (March 20)

Over the last several days, Markon inspectors have observed a shift in the color and texture profile of romaine that is being utilized for several value-added salads and blends (see attached photos). As the winter desert growing season winds down and temperatures rise, growers plant heat-tolerant varieties with open frames and darker color. Varieties that are more cupped yield more heart material and are lighter in color but have a higher risk of developing internal burn, long core/seeder, and other heat-related issues during the warmer months of the season.

Although the darker romaine varieties are less susceptible to heat issues, they tend to be more likely to incur bruising during processing and have a decreased shelf-life potential as a result (see attached photos).

Markon inspectors are working with our suppliers to verify that the best raw product available is being allocated for Markon orders. If operators can order commodity romaine items over the next few weeks, they may see better overall quality and shelf-life performance compared to value-added romaine items. As always, maintaining the cold chain throughout distribution is critical for maximizing quality and shelf-life. Ordering for quick turns is also recommended at this time.

Grapes

The Chilean/Peruvian offshore grape season will end in early May. Harvesting will transition to Mexico in early May. Expect pricing to gradually increase as the offshore season winds down.

Offshore

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

• Quality is good; some soft/damaged fruit is being reported
• Expect tight supplies and rising markets through April

Mexico

• Markon First Crop (MFC) and ESS Seedless Grapes will be available soon

• Green and red seedless grapes are expected to begin shipping in early May
• The portioned grape season will begin in late May
• Expect elevated pricing in the early season; markets will gradually decrease as volume rises

Idaho Potatoes

MFC Idaho Burbank and Norkotah Potatoes are available. Larger sizes (40- through 70-count supplies) are decreasing as the Norkotah storage season winds down. Expect higher prices for large sizes for the next three to four weeks.

Storage Crop

• A wide variety of Norkotah sizes are available
• Burbanks are dominated by 80-count and smaller sizes
• Quality remains excellent for both varieties; pack-outs favor No. 1 grade
• The Norkotah storage season will begin winding down in mid-April, continuing until all crops are depleted in mid-June
• Once Norkotahs are depleted, Burbanks will be the sole variety from mid-June to mid-August
• Limited Burbank stocks are expected to ship through July; the size profile leans to 80-count and smaller stocks

New Crop

• Ideally growers would like to start new crop planting by mid-April
• Late winter/early spring weather has been ideal
  • Water is plentiful due to the winter season’s snowpack
  • Lack of late-season snowfall has kept fields clear and dry
• Growers are hoping for spring-like weather in April to get the crop fully planted by May
• Norkotah harvesting and packing normally begins early to mid-August

Mother’s Day Strawberries

Mother’s Day promotional lid pricing will be available for Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries loading in the California growing regions of Oxnard, Santa Maria, and Salinas/Watsonville.

• Promotional lid pricing will be in effect for orders loading Sunday, April 27 through Saturday, May 10, 2025
• Packer label long-stem strawberries in 4/1-pound cartons will be $21.10 FOB
• Prices are Markon FOB cost only; please add Markon service fees, member monies, and freight rates
• Crossdock and delivery fees must also be added for orders loading at 4Earth in Los Angeles and Church in Salinas

Pineapples

Pineapple supplies are expected to remain tight for several more weeks; prices are elevated.

• Low sugar levels (Brix) are causing delays
• Larger size markets are increasing due to growers leaving fruit in the fields to increase Brix levels
• All sizes are tight, order flexibility will help with coverage
• Expecting limited volumes for the next three to four weeks

Strawberries

Santa Maria and Oxnard, California have enjoyed almost perfect strawberry growing conditions over the past month. Mexico’s season has officially ended and Florida production will finish by mid-April.

Santa Maria

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Quality is good
• Supplies are ample
• Size ranges from 9 to 15 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell
• Expect markets to remain flat

Oxnard

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Quality is good: green tips and light bruising are occasional issues
• Stocks are plentiful
• Size ranges from 11 to 16 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell
• Prices will remain stable

Florida

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Supplies have tightened due to heat and light rain
• Size currently ranges from 15-22 berries per 1-pound clamshell
• Quality is good
• Expect markets to continue rising

Tomatoes

Tomato supplies are tightening due to increased demand and older winter fields finishing in Sinaloa, Mexico; markets are rising. MFC Tomatoes are available.

Round

• Florida volumes are light but expected to increase going into April; quality is good
• Mexico has moderate volume due to transitions from winter to spring crops in Sinaloa
• • Quality is mixed, but is better out of newer fields
  • Water restrictions in Sinaloa are expected to lessen April production
• Expect higher prices over the next two weeks

Roma

• East Coast supplies are fair with volume expected to increase in April
• Volume is moderate in Mexico as spring transitions are underway in Sinaloa
• New crop will bring additional extra-large size availability
• Reduced water allocation will reduce overall supply in April
• Expect higher markets over the next two weeks

Grape & Cherry Varieties

• Florida supplies are light but expected to increase in early April
• West Mexico supply is steady; recent cooler weather has slowed production
• Central Mexico has light supply; expect increased production in late April when new crops start
• Expect slightly higher prices over the next two weeks

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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