Bell Peppers

Red bell pepper demand is shifting from Mexico to the California desert region. Green bell peppers are available on both coasts. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Red Bells

• Production has started in California’s Coachella region
  • Quality is very good
  • Jumbo and extra-large sizes are most common
• Mexican supplies are snug
  • The season is winding down
  • Quality is hit or miss; shelf life is reduced due to older fields
  • Tropical Storm Alvin will bring heavy rain to Western Mexico this weekend and potentially disrupting/ending the season
• Canadian greenhouse production is increasing; quality is very good
• Expect slightly higher markets over the next two weeks

Green Bells

• Growers are shipping consistent supplies out of California’s Imperial Valley
  • All sizes are available
  • Quality is very good
  • The Bakersfield season is expected to start in a limited manner on June 9
• Production has ended in Western Mexico
  • Growers have shifted to Eastern Mexico (crossing into South Texas)
  • New crop harvesting will start this weekend
  • Early season volume will be low
• The Georgia season is at its peak; harvesting will continue through June
• North Carolina production will start in mid-June
• Expect low prices next week

Broccoli

California

• MFC Premium Broccoli is being harvested in California’s Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys
• Markets are steadily increasing but remain at or below seasonal averages
• Sufficient supplies are forecast for the next two weeks, though acreage will drop off slightly through June and July, as regional/local deals spring up across the country
• Quality is good; brown bead/pin rot, yellowing, hollow core, branching, and insect pressure are minimal

Mexico

• Mexican-grown MFC Premium Broccoli continues to ship into South Texas
• This market is more volatile than domestic, yet prices remain comparable in both regions
• Quality is good; sporadic hollow core following high heat and mechanical damage from packing oversized heads have been noted

East Coast/Midwest

• Production is wrapping up in Georgia
  • Quality is very good
  • Markets are steady at average levels

• The North Carolina season will continue well into June
• Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York will begin production by late June and carry into August

Brussels Sprouts

Markets are declining rapidly, as supplies increase and quality improves from Mexico. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are available.

• Improved weather is increasing supplies in several Mexican growing regions
  • The majority of supplies are being harvested in Mexicali region
  • Growers are supplementing with product out of Central Mexico as well
• Softer demand has alleviated the market; large sizes are more plentiful
• Quality is average; there are fewer reports of insect pressure, seeder, and elongated heads
• Supplies are adequate out of Oxnard, California, but acreage is minimal for this short season
• The Salinas, California season will begin in July
• Expect pricing to ease further within the next two weeks

Citrus

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

Oranges

Valencia

• MFC and ESS Valencia Oranges are available

• New crop supplies are dominated by small sizes (113- through 138-count fruit); large sizes (56- through 88-count fruit) will remain limited to start the season
• Quality is great; eating quality and color are excellent
• Mexican Valencia supplies (crossing into Nogales, Arizona) will finish shipping in early June
• Expect steady markets at elevated levels

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 spring/summer demand ramping up

Pineapple

Pineapple supplies are increasing.

• All sizes, crowned and crownless, are shipping
• Expect ample supplies until early July
• After the first week of July, volume will start decreasing

Red and Yellow Potatoes

Summer potato harvesting transitions are underway; markets are currently steady, but poised to rise in June.

Idaho and North Dakota

• Volume is adequate 
• Quality is good
• All sizes are being shipped
  • Larger A-sizes are most plentiful
  • Smaller B- and C-sizes are somewhat limited

• Several suppliers will have depleted storage supplies in the next three weeks and begin transferring fresh-run potatoes from other growing regions to cover orders

• Prices are steady but are expected to rise in mid-June

Colorado

• Red and yellow potato shipment will finish in the next two weeks
• Quality ranges from fair to good
• Prices are stable

California

• California red and yellow potato harvests have begun in a limited manner
• Quality ranges from fair to good; fresh-run potatoes have thinner skins and are more susceptible to mechanical damage
• The market is level

Arizona

• Arizona harvests are expected to start over the next three weeks

Texas

• Texas production will begin over the next three to 4 weeks

Florida

• Northern Florida red and yellow potatoes will be available through mid-July
• All sizes are adequate
  • Larger A-sizes are most abundant
  • Smaller B- and C-sizes are tight
• Markets are holding steady but will rise in late June, particularly those for smaller sizes

Strawberries

Strawberry supplies are ample; the Salinas/Watsonville region has been enjoying great weather, creating high-quality fruit.

Salinas/Watsonville

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Mild weather with no rain is forecast for the rest of the week
• Quality is excellent; good color, light bruising, and odd shape are occasional issues
• Size ranges from medium to medium-large (12-16 berries per 1-pound clamshell packs and 20-28 berries per 2-pound clamshell)
• Expect markets to remain steady

Oxnard/Santa Maria

• MFC Strawberries are available
• The forecast calls for clear, mild weather for the rest of the week

• Quality is good; some green shoulders have been reported
• Size ranges from small-medium to medium (18-24 berries per 1-pound clamshell packs)
• The Oxnard and Santa Maria seasons are past their peaks; volume will start to decline

• Expect markets to remain steady this week

West Coast Heat Wave

Several California growing regions are bracing for a heat wave that will peak on Friday, May 31 and last through the weekend. Coastal areas throughout Salinas, Santa Maria, and Oxnard will reach the low 80°s, but inland areas throughout each of these regions are expecting temperatures in the 90°s to low 100°s.

Markon suppliers are adjusting harvest times to minimize production during peak temperatures and will be actively monitoring row crop items for heat-related quality or shelf-life challenges that may develop in the days ahead. These potential challenges include, but are not limited to:

Broccoli

• Brown bead/yellow bead
• Branchy shape
• Hollow core
• Increased insect pressure
• Pin rot
• Shortened shelf-life

Strawberries

• Bruising
• Over-ripe fruit
• Reduced size
• Soft texture
• Shortened shelf-life

Lettuce/Tender Leaf

• Dehydration/wilting
• Increased insect pressure
• Internal burn
• Premature pinking/discoloration
• Shortened shelf-life
• Yellowing leaves

As always, cold chain management throughout the supply chain is critical for maximizing the quality and shelf-life of perishable produce items.

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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