Asparagus

Prices are inching down. While Mexico’s Caborca season has ended, production has transitioned to the Baja Peninsula. Markon First Crop (MFC) Asparagus is available.

Mexico

• Although Baja quality is strong, this is a short season that bridges the gap from Caborca to Central Mexico
• Expect prices to ease through May and early June as more supplies come online and demand from the Easter and Mother’s Day holidays wanes
• Under the existing U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA), Mexican asparagus is not being targeted for additional tariff enforcement

Peru

• Yields are low and quality is poor following high temperatures
• Production will shift to the north of the country this month
• Mother’s Day flower demand has restricted availability for asparagus air/boat freight
• Peru remains a target for additional tariff action by the Trump administration; expect higher FOB pricing in Miami/East Coast ports as a result

U.S. and Canada

• The Pacific Northwest season is in full swing in Idaho and Washington
• Growers will start harvesting in Michigan and Southern Canada this week
• California and South Carolina production is limited
• Expect increased supplies out of multiple regions to further contribute to lower markets by late May through mid- to late June

Blueberries

Blueberry supplies are slowly increasing in California and Georgia. Expect prices to ease over the next two weeks.

• The Mexican season is past its peak; production is rapidly decreasing, and is expected to end in late May
• Georgia yields will climb this week
• California’s San Joaquin Valley season has started in a limited manner
• Florida volume is down 40% compared to this time last year; the season will wrap up in two weeks
• Expect slowly declining pricing as production continues to increase in Georgia and California

Broccoli

California

• MFC Premium Broccoli is being harvested in California’s Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys
• Markets are steady at low levels amid tepid demand
• Strong supply levels are forecast for the next two weeks
• Quality is good; brown bead/pin rot, yellowing, hollow core, branching, and insect pressure are minimal
• Expect domestic prices to remain mostly steady at low levels through mid-May

Mexico

• Mexican-grown MFC Premium Broccoli continues to ship into South Texas
• This market is more volatile than domestic, although 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

• Georgia production will run through May
  • Quality is very good
  • Markets are steady at average levels

• The North Carolina season starts this week and will continue well into June

Brussels Sprouts

Rising heat and persistent labor issues have kept markets extremely elevated. MFC and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are limited.

• High temperatures are reducing supplies and limiting harvests in Mexico

• The season is past its peak production and entering the hottest months of the year

• • The majority of supplies are being harvested in Mexico at this time, severely limiting availability
  • Hot weather is leading to quality problems such as discoloration, yellow leaves, seeder/elongated sprouts, and reduced value-added shelf-life
• The Oxnard, California season has started in a limited manner; acreage is minimal
• Jumbo sprouts are extremely scarce, as growers must harvest at earlier stages to fill current demand and prevent additional quality issues that may develop with additional days in the ground
• Low volume and elevated prices will persist through the next three to four weeks; expect relief in late June or early July when the Salinas season begins

California Orange Transition

The California Navel season is projected to wrap up in late June. California Valencia production has started in a limited manner. Expect elevated prices through the transition.

Navels

• MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Navel Oranges are available
• Small oranges (113- and 138-count sizes) will be limited through the rest of the Navel season
• Size and grade substitutions may be requested to fill orders
• Late-season Navel varieties will remain available until mid- to late June
• Quality is good; sugar levels range from 10 to 12 Brix

Valencias

• MFC and ESS Valencia Oranges are available

• Suppliers have begun shipping limited quantities; the season is expected to ramp up in late June

• Large fruit (56- and 88-count sizes) will be limited to start the season; small oranges (113- and 138-count sizes) will be more plentiful

• Early production will require no gassing as color is ideal; expect gassing in July/August when Valencias start to regreen from high heat
• Quality is very good; sugar levels range from 12 to 14 Brix

Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons

Central American cantaloupe and honeydew volume is starting to decrease as the offshore melon season winds down.

Cantaloupe

Central America

• Volume is decreasing
• Remaining supplies are dominated by large/9-count fruit; smaller/12- to 15-count sizes are limited
• The offshore cantaloupe season will finish the week of May 26
• Expect steady markets over the next 7-10 days

Arizona-California Desert Region

• Desert harvests will start in a limited manner the week of May 12; more growers will start production the following week
• Cooler weather has impacted growth and delayed initial harvests by several days; growers expect small fruit size early in the season
• Initial prices are expected to be slightly lower than offshore fruit

Honeydew

Central America/Mexico

• Central American supplies are limited; delayed shipments are causing occasional quality issues
• Remaining supplies are dominated by large/five-count size fruit; smaller/6- to 8-count sizes are limited
• The Central American offshore honeydew season will wrap up the week of May 26
• Expect steady prices over the next 7-10 days
• Mexican volume is steady at slightly lower prices, helping offset demand for offshore fruit

Arizona-California Desert Region

• Domestic desert harvests will begin in a limited manner the week of May 19, with more growers starting production the week of May 26
• Initial prices are expected to be slightly lower compared to offshore fruit

Cucumbers

Cucumber prices are weak. Supplies are average in Mexico, while East Coast growers are transitioning from Florida to Georgia. MFC Cucumbers are available.

• The Florida season is winding down, tightening supplies
• Georgia production has started; volume is climbing and quality is very good
• Mexico yields are steady out of the Sonora and Baja growing regions
• Expect low prices over the next two weeks

From the Fields: Salinas Valley Romaine Quality

MFC Romaine is limited in California’s Salinas Valley; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed.

Markon inspectors are currently reporting an abrupt shift in romaine quality over the past two to four days. Last week the Salinas Valley region experienced a heavy marine layer that quickly gave way to clear skies and warm afternoons. These conditions caused the development of fog burn in many crops. Strong winds and elevated humidity were also recorded, causing fringe burn and sporadic mildew pressure.

Commodity and value-added supplies are expected to exhibit some of the above-mentioned challenges for the next several weeks, possibly longer. Some iceberg and green leaf supplies are experiencing these challenges, but these commodities are easier to manage than romaine.

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuce

Green leaf and iceberg markets remain depressed amid abundant supplies and weak demand. Romaine prices are slowly rising as quality issues are more prevalent following recent humid, windy weather.

• MFC Premium Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine are available; MBA is being substituted sporadically due to low weights
• Green leaf and iceberg quality are very good; mildew, fringe burn, and sun scalding are being avoided or trimmed at harvest
• Romaine quality has been impacted by high temperatures and humid weather, followed by windy days; fog burn, internal burn, and fringe burn are reducing harvestable supplies
• Expect fairly steady green leaf and iceberg markets through May; romaine will continue inching up in the near term

Strawberries

Strawberry supplies are ample; demand remains strong this week.

Oxnard/Santa Maria, California

• 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 is medium (16-24 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell)
• The Oxnard and Santa Maria seasons are past their peaks; volume will start to decline
• Expect markets to ease as Mother’s Day pull ends

Salinas/Watsonville

• Harvesting and shipping will begin May 12; MFC Strawberries will be available
• Size is large (10-14 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell)
• Defects include light bruising due to size and a few white shoulders
• Expect markets to decline as Mother’s Day pull ends

Stone Fruit

The California stone fruit season is approaching; volume will ramp up in early June.

Peaches

• The California season will run from mid-May to mid-September
• Fruit will begin shipping the week of May 12
• Good quality is forecast with sugar levels ranging between 11 and 13 Brix; sweetness/flavor will peak in late June
• The Georgia peach season will begin in mid-May and continue through August

Nectarines

• The season will run from late May through mid-September
• Fruit will begin shipping the week of May 19
• Good quality is forecast with sugar levels ranging from 10 to 12 Brix

Plums

• The California season will run from early June to mid-October
• Fruit will begin shipping the week of June 2
• Expect good quality

United States Department of Agriculture

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) workforce has been reduced by an estimated 30% following government budget cuts. Although not fully confirmed, daily reported pricing of some commodities may be condensed or eliminated in the future as the USDA continues operations with reduced resources.

• USDA price reporting is a critical element of the produce industry; daily posted pricing is an impartial resource used by the industry to establish trigger levels and help guide open market pricing negotiations
• Thousands of employees have been laid off or encouraged to an early retirement following government budget cuts
• An additional reduction of resources is anticipated as remaining employees seek other opportunities given continued uncertainty with government funding
• Core commodities are expected to continue with daily price reporting; reporting of lower velocity items may be reduced or eliminated in the future
• Markon will continue to monitor the situation and update with any new information

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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