Artichokes

Artichoke supply is tight; small sizes (24-count and smaller) are limited.

• Colder weather, low nighttime temperatures, and a fall heat wave that stunted flower growth has limited industrywide supply
• Suppliers are primarily packing 12-count sizes, allowing flower size to increase before harvesting
• Expect low volume out of all growing regions through the end of the year
  • Oxnard, California is the primary growing region at this time; production is light
  • The Castroville growing region season has ended
  • The Coachella growing region will begin limited production by mid-December
  • Mexican supplies have begun crossing and will increase through December; volume will not be enough to lower markets
• Expect light volume and elevated prices through January as current harvesting strategies pay off and growing regions begin to overlap

Onions

Markets are high; demand remains strong. Pricing is expected to inch up over the next three to four weeks.

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Onions are now shipping out of storage from Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and Washington

• Onions are exhibiting solid, globe-like shape and firm texture
  • Yellow onions have golden, cured skins
  • Red onions have a deep red color with minimal flaking
• Both varieties are dominated by jumbo and medium sizes; colossal and super colossal yellow stocks are in high demand

Potatoes

MFC potatoes are available in Idaho and Washington.

Storage Crop

• Larger supplies (40- through 50-count stocks) are light; 90- through 100-count are readily available
• Quality remains excellent for both varieties; pack-outs favor No. 1 quality, with limited No. 2 availability
• Price levels are expected to stay weak through the season
• Norkotah and Burbank stocks are expected to ship through late July/early August

Strawberries

California supplies are decreasing as both the Santa Maria and Oxnard seasons are past their peaks. Mexican stocks (into South Texas) are increasing; weather has improved after heavy rains the week before. The Florida season has begun in a limited manner.

Santa Maria/Oxnard

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Yields are decreasing as both regions are past their harvesting peaks
• Quality is good; white shoulders and early signs of bruising have been reported
• Size currently ranges from small to medium (18 to 22 berries per one-pound clamshell)
• Expect slightly declining markets over the next 7-10 days

Mexico (into South Texas)

• Volume will increase as fields continue to recover from prior rains
• Quality is currently good; white shoulders have been reported
• Size currently ranges from small to medium (22 to 25 berries per one-pound clamshell)
• Expect markets to slowly decline as yields increase

Florida

• Production has started in a limited manner
• Yields will increase; the season will hit its peak in mid-December
• Early quality is good; expect fruit size to range from small to medium
• Orders for MFC Strawberries are estimated to begin shipping the week of December 11

Stringless Sugar Snap Peas

Prices remain elevated. Supplies are extremely limited.

California – Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys

• Quality problems persist; cooler temperatures, shorter days, wind, and overnight frosts have shortened shelf-life
  • External pitting, scarring, small sizing, and water damage are prevalent
  • Heavy culling has reduced yields at the field level
• Expect limited supplies to persist as the season wraps up in early December

Imports – Northern Mexico and Peru

• Peruvian supplies are tight but are helping to supplement the market; quality is slightly better
• Some product grown in Northern Mexico is beginning to enter the market; production is behind schedule
• Markets will remain elevated until harvesting ramps up in mid- to late December
• Imported ‘semi-stringless and stringed’ varieties are more readily available, at comparable pricing (loading in LA)

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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