Asparagus

Elevated temperatures are forecast across Mexico’s Northern growing regions this week; pricing and quality defects are expected to rise.

Mexico

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Asparagus is available
• Temperatures are forecast to rise 15-20 degrees above normal levels through early next week
• Quality is expected to be affected; feathered tips, wrinkling, dehydration, and seed development are common heat-related defects
• Standard and large spears are most abundant; jumbo and extra-large sizes remain tight
• Expect higher pricing and an uptick in quality issues through the rest of this month

Peru

• Peruvian suppliers are preparing for their next marketable cycle of supplies, as Mexican shipments start to slow this month
• Initial stocks of air-freight Peruvian asparagus are expected to land in the U.S. this weekend
• Quality is fair; shelf-life is generally shorter due to longer transit times
• Expect minimal Peruvian availability until the start of April
• Pricing is generally higher than in Mexico

Avocados

Industry supplies are ample in all growing regions, but prices will begin to inch up due to anticipated labor shortages brought on by the upcoming Holy Week, which will run from March 29 to Easter Sunday on April 5.

Mexico

• Although all sizes will remain plentiful, availability will tighten slightly due to anticipated labor shortages during Holy Week
• 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

Carrots

West Coast carrot supplies remain tight as harvesting shifts from California’s San Joaquin Valley to the Imperial Valley, where size is smaller. Limited availability is expected over the next three weeks as reduced size is lowering yields; commodity pack prices have increased as a result.

California

• Supplies will remain extremely tight through March as the San Joaquin Valley season winds down
• Imperial Valley yields are tight due to reduced sizing; expect size to increase in late March
• California accounts for 80% of the nation’s carrot supply
• Markon orders will be shipped in full; growers are holding to six-week averages
• Expect a demand-exceeds-supply market through March; 96-hour lead times are necessary to help fill orders
• Commodity pack (jumbo carrot) substitutions are available out of Arizona and Georgia
• Elevated markets and limited supplies will persist through March

Georgia

• The season will run through early June
• Commodity supplies are tight; quality is very good
• Expect high prices as this region helps fill the void from California

Arizona

• The season is underway and will run through July; quality is great
• Markets should remain fairly steady through March

Celery

Celery markets are inching down as supplies increase and quality improves in Oxnard, California. Ample stocks and lower prices are expected through March.

Arizona and California

• MFC and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Celery are available
• Oxnard, California fields have recovered following significant storm events with heavy rains and strong winds in November, December, and February
• California’s Oxnard season will conclude in early to mid-June; new crop production will begin in Salinas in early June
• Production continues in the Arizona/California desert; supplies will begin to wind down in early April and be depleted by mid-month

Florida

• Belle Glade supplies have rebounded after growth slowed due to freezing temperatures in January and February

Citrus

Small California lemons (165- and 200-count sizes) continue to tighten as crops are dominated by larger fruit (95- through 140-count sizes). As the California Navel season progresses, 113- and 138-count fruit is extremely limited.

Lemons

• MFC and Essentials (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; yields are dominated by 95- through 140-count lemons
• Quality is good; some greening and scarring have been reported
• Expect a slow yet steady price climb as demand increases over the next six to eight weeks

Oranges

• MFC and ESS Navel Oranges are available
• Oranges are currently being shipped out of California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, and New Jersey (imported Moroccan)
  • The California Valencia season is expected to begin in mid-April
  • The South Texas season will end in early April
  • Mexican Valencias (crossing into Nogales, Arizona) are expected to run into June
  • Florida Valencia oranges are on the market
  • Moroccan Valencias are now shipping off the East Coast
• Small sizes (113- through 138-count oranges) remain extremely limited in California
• Expect good quality and elevated markets

Limes

Prices in Mexico remain extremely elevated; overall availability remains limited. MFC and ESS Limes are available.

Mexico (into South Texas)

• Supplies continue to tighten as demand increases and crossings from Mexico slow
• Wet weather impacted bloom cycles 90 days ago, further reducing upcoming yields
• Large sizes are scarce, especially 110-, 150-, and 175-count fruit
• 230- and 250-count limes are more plentiful
• Prices will remain at elevated levels into April

Colombia

• Supply consistency is improving, though overall availability remains constrained
• Quality is generally good, with occasional oil spotting due to recent rainfall
• Most volume is committed to established programs, limiting open-market opportunities
• Markets remain elevated but continue to sit below Mexico levels

Hawaii

• Shipments remain approved for Canada only, with U.S. market access still under review
• Longer lead times and tighter planning remain necessary
• Pricing remains competitive relative to Mexico and Colombia

Mixed Berries

Blackberry, blueberry, and raspberry supplies are tightening. Blueberry volume will remain the most challenged over the next four weeks.

Blueberries

• Import shipments from Chile and Peru are ending

• Mexican-grown supplies are past their peak; labor issues and transportation blockades from the cartel have also caused disruptions
• The Florida season has been delayed by four weeks due to unseasonably cold weather; some growers experienced upwards of 50% crop loss
• Expect limited stocks through April; yields will increase once California’s San Joaquin Valley season begins
• Prices are elevated

Blackberries/Raspberries

• Supply levels are past their peak in Central Mexico; labor issues and transportation blockades from the cartel have also caused disruptions
• Mexico’s Baja season has begun, but volume isn’t high enough to fill the shortages out of Central Mexico
• Expect low yields through March, but stocks should increase shortly after
• The market is high

Onions

Storage crop MFC Onions are available from Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and Washington. Texas fresh-run domestic onion harvests have begun in a limited manner and will ramp up over the next few weeks.

Pacific Northwest

• The storage season is expected to end in late April; some suppliers will continue to ship into early May or transfer product from other regions to fill orders
• Quality ranges from good to fair; internal browning, double-heart, and translucency are occasional issues
• FOB prices are slightly lower for yellow onions as supplies have increased with the addition of Mexican-grown yellow onions crossing into South Texas
• Expect steady markets over the next seven to ten days

Colorado

• Storage supply levels are expected to be depleted by the week of March 16
• Some growers will begin transferring product from other regions to fill orders
• Quality ranges from good to fair; translucency is present in the remaining supplies
• Jumbo sizes are most plentiful; medium and colossal sizes are somewhat limited
• Expect steady markets over the next seven to ten days

Utah

• Storage supplies will be depleted by the last week of March
• Quality ranges from good to fair; translucency and internal browning are occasional problems
• Expect steady markets over the next seven to ten days

Mexico

• Yellow, red, and white onions are crossing into South Texas
• Quality ranges from good to fair; 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 lower this week as suppliers compete with domestic markets

Texas

• The fresh-run yellow onion season is continuing to ramp up
• Red and white onions will begin shipping in a limited manner next week
• Early lots are dominated by jumbo-size onions; colossal and super-colossal sizes are limited
• Initial quality ranges from good to excellent
• Fresh-run onions possess a higher moisture content, thinner skins, shorter shelf life, and are more susceptible to bruising and mechanical damage
• Markon recommends ordering for quicker turns
• FOB prices are higher than markets for domestic storage supplies and Mexican imports

California

• The Southern California fresh-run onion season is expected to begin the week of April 20

Strawberries

Santa Maria/Oxnard supplies are ample. Quality is great; size is large. The Florida season has passed its peak and will wind down after the Easter holiday, weather permitting.

Santa Maria/Oxnard, California

• Weather-related issues have been resolved
• Volume has increased 30% since last week

• Quality is very good; size range is 12-16 per one-pound clamshells

• Prices are low; demand is weak

Florida

• Warmer daytime temperatures are aiding growth
• Defects include seedy tips, bruising from heat, and soft skin
• Size ranges from 22 to 28 berries per one-pound clamshells
• Expect ample supplies and weak demand

South Texas/Mexico   

• The Mexico season has ended with the presence of heat
• Supplies are still crossing into Texas, but quality is questionable
• Shippers are keeping this fruit in state due to quality

Salinas/Watsonville

• Growers have started harvesting; volume is limited
• Good quality and size have been reported
• Volume is expected to ramp up in mid to late April, subject to Mother Nature

Tomatoes

Florida’s early February freeze continues to affect volume. Mexican markets are inching down due to additional harvests and weakening demand. MFC Tomatoes are available.

Rounds

• Florida supplies are extremely limited
  • Markets have decreased due to weak demand
  • Expect limited stocks for the next four weeks
• Mexican volume is up; demand is moderate
  • Multiple tomato crops, originally delayed by weather, are maturing at once instead of their scheduled plans, creating extra supplies
  • Additionally, some opportunistic growers returned to virus-affected fields to take advantage of last week’s high markets
  • Quality is hit or miss, depending on the grower/field
• Expect lower prices over the next week

Romas

• Florida stocks will remain limited for the next four weeks; weak demand has lowered prices
• Mexican stocks are increasing this week; delayed harvests are now flooding the market, while some growers are revisiting older fields; medium-sized fruit is most abundant
• Quality is fair; importers are reporting higher grading, especially since the tomato suspension agreement was abolished in 2025, which had stricter quality guidelines
• Supplies will remain snug throughout the spring season
• Expect weaker markets over the next week

Grape & Cherry Varieties

• Florida is experiencing low supply levels due to freezing weather conditions in January and February
• Mexican supplies are steady, with the most volume coming out of the Culiacan region; demand is strong
• Expect steady prices over the next week

Watermelon

Watermelon imports are limited in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Honduras as the season begins winding down.

Florida Imports

• Supplies are extremely limited; the import season is ending
• Downy mildew has impacted the Guatemalan melons, reducing yields
• Harvesting is expected to conclude in late March, further tightening availability
• Markets are firm and expected to climb as volume declines

Mexico

• Yields are low across the region
• Security disruptions in Mexico are limiting outbound movement
• Production is wrapping up in Jalisco; remaining volume is low
• Additional harvesting is minimal ahead of the Guaymas season that will start in the coming weeks
• Availability remains constrained, keeping prices elevated

Florida-Grown

• The season is forecast to begin by mid-April
• Due to the recent freeze in January and February supplies will be limited until late May

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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