Baby Tuscan Lettuce

Markon First Crop (MFC) Baby Tuscan Lettuce supplies are unavailable until Monday, November 24.

• The Salinas season ended earlier than expected
• The desert season is starting later than planned due to low temperatures and rain
  • Plants are too small to harvest this week and need additional time to mature
  • The first desert harvest is scheduled for Monday, November 24
• Markon recommends the potential substitution options below:

• Packer label Artisan Lettuce in an 8-pound pack
• Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Heritage Blend

• • 4/3-pound pack
  • 3-pound carton

• Packer label Arcadian Ruby Blend

• • 6/2-pound pack
  • 3/2-pound pack

Bell Peppers

Red bell pepper markets are higher due to increased holiday demand and cool rainy autumn weather in California. MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Red Bells

• California’s Coachella season is underway
  • Cooler weather (low 60s) and rain are lowering yields and slowing production
  • Strong demand is pushing up markets
• Supplies are limited in Central Mexico; extra lead time is recommended
• Western Mexico’s main season will begin in late December
• The Canadian greenhouse season is ending, shifting demand to California
• Expect higher prices over the next two weeks

Green Bells

• California’s Coachella supplies are steady
  • Cool weather is slowing fruit growth
  • Rain and cool temperatures are forecast for this Friday, November 21
  • Growers are harvesting early this week to fill orders

• Western Mexico’s new crop is getting a slow start; more yields are expected next week
• Central Mexico is shipping limited quantities into South Texas
• Florida production has begun in all regions
• Expect slightly higher prices this week

Brussels Sprouts

Prices continue to climb rapidly as rain and quality issues are severely reduce yields. MFC and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are currently unavailable; packer label is being substituted.

• Significant rainfall continues across California’s growing regions this week, tightening supplies
• Quality is poor; discoloration, seeder, and small size are prevalent, reducing volume and shortening shelf-life
• Stocks are quickly diminishing amid strong demand and poor quality
• The Mexican season will begin in mid-December, supplementing falling Salinas volume
• Expect elevated pricing and tighter supplies through mid-December, with some relief after the Mexican season begins

Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons

The transition to offshore production has begun on the East Coast. Packer label cantaloupes are now arriving in Southern Florida, while honeydew arrivals will begin later this month. Rain in the Arizona-California desert growing region is ending many seasons early, further tightening supplies.

Cantaloupe

Central America

• The first offshore shipments landed in Southern Florida the week of November 17
• Early quality is strong with 9- and jumbo 9-count sizes most plentiful; a small percentage of 12-counts are also available
• Brix levels range from 11-14%; very good internal quality is being reported
• Supplies remain very limited but are expected to stabilize by next week as arrival schedules normalize
• Open-market opportunities will be minimal until offshore volume increases

Arizona-California Desert Region

• Seasonal harvests have wrapped up ahead of schedule due to recent rainfall
• Yuma received over 0.5” of rain this week
• Quality was generally good, although late-season lots exhibited increased rind dirt and occasional external scarring

Sonora, Mexico

• Supplies are now available
• Due to previous food safety concerns in this growing region, Markon does not source Mexican cantaloupes

Honeydew

Arizona-California Desert Region

• Domestic honeydew harvests will end later this week due to recent rainfall
• Desert acreage was already lower than average; this week’s rain in Yuma (0.5”-0.75”) is accelerating the wrap-up
• Five- and jumbo five-count fruit is most abundant
• Quality is mostly good, but supplies are extremely limited heading into the offshore gap

Sonora, Mexico

• Mexican honeydews are being used to supplement the supply until offshore volume increases
• Fruit is crossing through Nogales, Arizona; prices remain slightly lower than domestic
• Rain is expected to further limit available yields in the Sonora region this week; approximately 1.25” is forecast
• Packer label Mexican honeydews will continue to fill orders until offshore production ramps up

Central America

• The first shipments of offshore honeydews will arrive in Southern Florida the week of November 24
• Offshore shipments into Northeastern and West Coast ports will begin arriving the week of December 1
• Prices are expected to remain elevated over the next two to three weeks during the transition period

Chile Peppers

Expect elevated prices for the next few weeks as weather issues, regional transitions, and reduced plantings limit availability. Mexico’s Baja and Sonora early-season production is still recovering from October storms.

Mexico (into California)

• Supplies remain extremely limited as cold weather, rain, and freeze events have reduced volume and delayed production in Baja, Sonora, and Sinaloa
• Baja harvests are light while growers are waiting for the Sonora season to begin, creating ongoing supply gaps
• Serrano, Jalapeño, and Anaheim chiles remain especially tight due to size issues and reduced plantings driven by water scarcity, weather volatility, rising input costs, and a tighter export outlook
• Fewer Serrano, Red Fresno, Habanero, and Anaheim acres were planted, contributing to shortages
• Weather-related damage is driving potential quality issues such as softness, breakdown, and inconsistent size

Mexico (into South Texas)

• Serrano markets remain extremely elevated while Jalapeño prices are trending higher; other varieties remain relatively steady
• All peppers loading through South Texas are from Mexico, where slow starts in the growing areas of Tamaulipas and Sinaloa are creating supply gaps
• Poblano supply levels are strongest right now, while Serrano and Jalapeño are the most limited
• The harvesting transition to Northern Mexico is underway, but meaningful volume is still one to two weeks out
• No weather issues reported; quality is strong

East Coast

• Stocks are currently loading in Florida; the winter season has started in La Belle
• Jalapeño and Cubanelle yields are increasing
• Serrano and Poblano production is light; Anaheim supplies are not currently available

FROM THE FIELDS: PIN ROT IN DESERT BROCCOLI SUPPLIES

After multiple rain events in the Arizona/California desert growing regions over the past week, many row crop vegetables are developing quality and shelf-life issues. One of the first significant concerns observed by Markon inspectors is pin rot, found in both Markon First Crop (MFC) Broccoli Crowns and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Broccoli Florets. This defect is commonly brought on by rain or above-normal moisture/humidity and is extremely difficult for harvesting and processing crews to detect and remove. Sporadic yellow bead and/or brown bead is also being observed in some broccoli supplies; this is a condition caused by environmental factors such as rapid temperature fluctuations and/or water stress (too much or too little water).

More rain is forecast this evening through Saturday morning, November 22, so conditions that favor pin rot will exist throughout next week or longer. Commodity and value-added broccoli suppliers are allocating their best product for Markon orders but will not be able to completely avoid pin rot issues which can lead to reduced shelf-life.

Ordering for quick turns is recommended, and as always, maintaining the cold chain throughout distribution is critical for maximizing quality and shelf-life.

FROM THE FIELDS: HARVESTING CHALLENGES IN THE DESERT REGION

Harvesting crews in the Arizona/California desert growing region continue to struggle in muddy field conditions (see photos) after the most recent rainstorms that passed through the area on Monday evening and throughout the day on Tuesday, November 17-18. All grower/shippers are doing their best to pack orders ahead today due to a more significant storm that is expected to enter the area late tonight and continue through Saturday morning, November 22. With an additional three quarters to an inch of rain expected, harvest operations of most desert row crop items may be suspended for the next two days.

Markon inspectors are monitoring conditions closely and will continue to update on these weather and supply challenges.

Grapes

California-grown grapes will ship out of storage for the remainder of the season; expect prices to rise as the season winds down. The offshore Peruvian and Chilean seasons will begin in mid-December.

Green Grapes

• ESS Green Grapes are available
• California green grapes are expected to be in season until mid-December
• Quality is good; soft fruit and yellow discoloration have been reported
• Offshore Peruvian/Chilean green grapes are expected to begin shipping in early to mid-December

Red Grapes

• ESS Red Grapes are available
• California red grapes are expected to be in season until late December
• Quality is good; some early decay has been reported
• Offshore Peruvian/Chilean red grapes are expected to become available in late December

Portioned Grapes

• MFC Lunch Bunch Grapes are available
• California portioned grapes are expected to be in season until mid-January
• Quality is good; some early breakdown, spotting, and decay have been reported
• Offshore Peruvian/Chilean portioned grapes are expected to ship in mid-January

Limes

Mexican shipments slowed significantly last week, tightening short-term availability and pushing markets higher. MFC and ESS Limes remain available, but costs are expected to stay firm as demand builds ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Mexico (into South Texas)

• Crossings dropped by nearly 400 loads week-over-week, reducing daily inventory and limiting options across most size ranges
• The crop has shifted toward larger fruit, with increased volume of 150s and 175s, and fewer 200s/230s in the pipeline
• Mid- and small-size limes are yielding less, resulting in higher costs across all sizes
• Growers are holding out for stronger returns on premium-quality fruit
• Mexican holiday closures contributed to slower movement, while Thanksgiving promotional pull in the U.S. is tightening open-market supply

Colombia

• Packer label limes are available for loading out of Florida; supplies remain steady with strong quality
• Sizing is well balanced
• Minimal scarring or blanching has been reported

Mixed Berries

Mixed berry prices are stabilizing. Supplies are plentiful; quality has improved.

Blackberries

• Mexican supplies have begun to rebound after recent rain

• • Quality is improving

• Occasional soft fruit has been reported

• California’s Watsonville season is expected to finish within the week
• Expect markets to remain steady

Blueberries

• Quality in Mexico’s growing region has improved, increasing yields

• Peruvian shipments are arriving in the U.S. without any quality issues
• Pricing will remain stable

Raspberries

• Mexican quality is strong; fruit is firm with bold color
• Watsonville’s growing region will end within the week
• Quality is very good out of Baja, Mexico
• Expect level markets

Strawberries

Harvesting has been cancelled in the Santa Maria and Oxnard growing regions today through Friday, November 21, due to heavy rainfall. Mexican supplies will help fill the void, but cannot meet full demand. Industry volume will not meet retail nor foodservice demand through the rest of this week in all growing regions.

Santa Maria/Oxnard, California

• The region has received 2.00”-3.00” of rain in the last 48 hours
• The forecast calls for up to 1” of rainfall in the next 72 hours
• The industry is in an extreme demand-exceeds-supply position
• Industry volume will not meet retail nor foodservice demand through the rest of this week in all growing regions
• Expect extremely minimal volume and elevated markets through November

Central Mexico (Loading in South Texas)

• The industry is in an extreme demand-exceeds-supply situation
• Industry volume will not meet retail nor foodservice demand through the rest of this week in all growing regions
• Quality problems include white shoulders, skin bruising, and pin rot
• Expect high markets as South Texas helps fill the void from West Coast shortages

Florida

• Production will begin in a limited manner over the next two weeks
• Orders should begin shipping the week of December 1

Strawberries (midweek update)

The strawberry market is escalating. Supplies are extremely limited due to rain in California over the past two weeks. Stocks are not plentiful enough in Mexico or Florida to overcome the shortage.

Santa Maria/Oxnard

• Virtually no harvesting has occurred this week; any supplies picked this week are being sent to processors or only sold in California due to poor quality

• Expect extremely low volume for the next 5 to 10 days

Mexico/South Texas

• Supply levels were impacted by last week’s rain
• Quality problems include white shoulders, skin bruising, and green tips
• Volume will increase in early December
• Expect limited stocks and high prices for the next 5 to 10 days

Florida

• Although cooler weather has slowed growth, supplies are increasing
• Defects include white shoulders and green tips
• Size ranges from 19 to 24 berries per 8/1-pound clamshells
• Expect low volume and elevated markets

Squash

Zucchini and yellow squash supplies are lighter due to cool Autumn weather. Markets are expected to rise this week due to heavy demand, especially for yellow squash. MFC Zucchini and Yellow Squash are available.

Mexico

• Sonora’s growing regions are experiencing cooler temperatures (mid 70s), slowing yields
• Yellow squash is particularly snug, markets are rising

South Georgia

• Cooler weather and rain have slowed production

Florida

• The season is underway with lighter volumes due to recent cool weather
• Warm temperatures in the forecast are expected to increase yields
• Expect heavy demand due to Thanksgiving pulls

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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