Bell Peppers

Bell pepper production is transitioning to new growing regions in May. The Florida season is winding down; the Georgia crop is getting underway this week. Western production will move from Mexico to the California desert area over the next three weeks. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

• The Mexican season will wrap up over the next week
  • Quality is average
  • Medium sizes and choice grades dominate availability
• The California desert season is well under way
  • Quality is very good
  • Extra-large peppers dominate harvests
• The Central and South Florida seasons will wind down over the next two weeks
• Georgia harvests are getting started this week
• Northern Florida supplies are creating a seamless transition between the Florida and Georgia seasons
• Expect steady markets over the next couple of weeks

Red Bells

• Mexican supplies are tight
  • The season will end earlier than in previous years (mid- to late May)
  • Quality is average; coloring/under ripeness is being reported
• The California desert season is expected to start on May 18; temperatures are forecast to increase to 100F this weekend which will help ripen crops
• Florida volume is low
• Prices will remain elevated over the next two weeks due to a tight transition

Celery

Celery prices continue to rise due to limited supplies. The Belle Glade, Florida season is ending this week. Oxnard, California will serve as the primary growing region until production starts in Salinas in early June.

California

• MFC and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Celery are available
• Oxnard, California is currently the primary growing region
  • Harvests will continue through early to mid-June
  • The new crop Salinas season will begin in early June
• Production runs year-round in Santa Maria, California
• Overall quality is strong; however, Fusarium is affecting some lots and limiting harvestable supplies
• Expect elevated markets through the rest of May; relief is not expected until Salinas production ramps up early to mid-June

Florida

• The Belle Glade season is winding down and will conclude this week

Michigan

• The Michigan season will begin in early to mid-July

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Romaine prices are escalating due to scarce supplies following erratic weather during planting and growth cycles in Salinas and Santa Maria, California. The iceberg market remains elevated but is easing as supplies incrementally increase. Green leaf supplies are tightening, pushing up prices slightly.

• MFC Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces are available; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed.
• Quality ranges from fair to good
  • Weights and densities vary greatly from field to field; internal and fringe burn are being found in some lots
  • Disease pressure, including Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) and Sclerotinia, is reducing harvestable yields
• Mexican supplies, crossing into South Texas, are available; however, the peak season for production and quality is ending and won’t resume until mid-October
• Production is expected to continue in Las Cruces, New Mexico through mid- to late May
• South Carolina harvests will run through mid-June
• Expect active markets for the next 10 to 14 days, at minimum

Limes

After a period of easing markets, lime prices are rising. MFC and ESS Limes remain available.

Mexico (into South Texas)

• Demand from upcoming holidays has pushed markets up
• Due to lack of rainfall in the major growing regions, 200-count and smaller limes make up 80% of available supply
• Quality is fair with discoloration and scarring occasionally present; continued high heat has put stress on the fruit and slightly lowered juice content
• Delays at the border are expected today (May 1) in observance of Labor Day in Mexico
• Prices will increase into next week as supply tightens

Colombia

• Large sizes (110 and 150-count) are more available
• More favorable weather has produced great quality and high juice content
• Pricing is trending down, but still higher than Mexican product

Hawaii

• Significant rains in April created harvest delays
• Supplies are set to increase next week due to groves starting to become accessible
• Fruit is showing superior juice content, but stylar end breakdown has been reported

Onions

The storage season for MFC Onions has ended in Oregon and Idaho. Washington storage supplies are winding down. Fresh-run MFC Onions are available in Texas and Southern California. Prices remain elevated.

Pacific Northwest

• Limited quantities of Washington red and yellow storage onions continue to ship
• Growers are transferring white onions from California to fill orders as needed
• Red and yellow storage supplies will be exhausted by the last week of May
• Quality is fair to good; growers are working to cull translucency, sprouting, and internal decay in remaining storage supplies
• Prices are steady

Mexico (into South Texas)

• Crossings are declining with the increased availability of domestic fresh onions
• Growers report a wide range of quality; soft texture, mechanical damage, and thin skins are to be expected with fresh-run onions
• Prices are slightly lower

Texas

• Fresh-run yellow, red, and white onions are available
• The Texas fresh run season is expected to finish in mid-May
• Quality is good; fresh-run onions will have thinner skins, softer texture, and higher moisture content compared to storage crop onions
• Markon recommends ordering for quick turns

California

• Southern California fresh-run onion harvests are continuing to ramp up
• Quality is good
  • Fresh-run onions will exhibit higher moisture content, thinner skins, and overall shorter shelf life
  • Some growers report increased seeder following fluctuating temperatures this spring
• Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Current supplies are dominated by medium and jumbo sizes; larger colossal and super colossal sizes remain limited as cooler weather slowed growth
• Expect steady prices over 7-10 days

Georgia

• Vidalia sweet onions are available; the season will run through early September
• Red and yellow onions are now available
• Medium and jumbo sizes dominate the crop
• Quality ranges from good to excellent
• FOB prices are slightly higher compared to Texas and California fresh-run onions

Potatoes

MFC Potatoes are available in Idaho and Washington. Storage crop pricing remains low. As the storage season winds down over the next several months, Markon recommends ordering for quick turns and keeping inventories tight due to shorter shelf life.

Idaho

• Storage crop MFC Norkotah and Burbank Potatoes are being shipped
• Norkotah storage supplies are expected to be depleted by late June
• Burbank volume is slowly ramping up; the crop is dominated by small sizes
• The gradual shift from Norkotahs to Burbanks will result in fewer 40- through 80-count potatoes
• Pressure and shoulder bruising are beginning to show in late-season storage supplies, but overall quality remains strong; these issues (soft, external indents) result from constant contact with adjacent potatoes, or the floor, while raw product sits in storage piles

Washington

• Storage crop MFC Norkotah Potatoes are available
• Size is dominated by larger counts
• Quality is very good
• Markets remain steady

Colorado & Wisconsin

• All Colorado sizes are available with good mixer volume; demand for large, 40- and 50-count supplies is active
• Wisconsin yields are dominated by small, 90- to 120-count sizes
• Quality is good
• Prices continue to hold steady

Seedless Lemons

The California harvest has officially wrapped up, and unfortunately, the volume from Mexico is much lower than originally anticipated. The good news is that California’s season is set to start up in early August, which should bring much-needed relief and restore availability.

• Mexican supplies are extremely limited due to previous weather conditions
• Expect a supply gap until August
• California-grown seedless lemons will begin shipping again in early August

Small-Sized Lemons & Oranges

California lemon supplies are tightening, especially 165- and 200-count sizes, as the crop is favoring larger fruit (95- to 140-count stocks). Orange supplies remain extremely limited, especially for the 113- and 138-count sizes across all growing regions.

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; 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 and Valencia Oranges are available out of California 
• Oranges are currently being shipped out of California, Arizona, Florida, and Morocco (into New Jersey)
• The California Valencia season has begun in a limited manner; Navel supplies are expected to run until early May
• Mexican Valencias (crossing into Nogales, Arizona) are expected to ship into June
• Florida Valencia oranges are on the market
• Moroccan Valencias continue shipping off the East Coast
• Small sizes (113- through 138-count oranges) remain extremely limited
• Expect good quality and elevated markets

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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