Bell Peppers

Red bell pepper supplies are moderate; California’s recent poor weather has affected quality. Green bells are available on both coasts; new crop harvesting is starting up in Florida and Coachella, California this month. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Red Bells

• This week’s lower temperatures and recent inclement weather have affected overall quality in California’s coastal regions
  • Current shelf life is slightly reduced
  • Markon recommends tighter inventory turns over the next two weeks
  • The Coachella season is expected to start in mid-November, which will improve overall quality
• Growers in Central Mexico are shipping low volume into South Texas
• Canadian greenhouse supplies are diminishing; quality is deteriorating as the season winds down
• Expect prices to increase over the next two weeks

Green Bells

• California’s Coachella season is underway
  • Quality is good
  • All sizes are available
  • Limited quantities of choice-grade peppers remain available from the San Joaquin Valley and Arroyo Grande
• Growers in Central Mexico are shipping low volume into South Texas
• The Nogales season will start with very low volume in mid-November

• Production will wind down over the next couple of weeks in Georgia; cooler weather in South Georgia makes peppers more prone to bruising
• Florida harvests have begun; supplies will increase over the next two weeks
• Expect steady but low prices over the next week as new regions are now in production

Grapes

California grape harvesting has wrapped up. Growers will ship out of storage for the remainder of the season. The offshore Peruvian and Chilean seasons will begin in mid-December. Expect pricing to rise as the California season winds down.

Red/Green Grapes

• ESS Green Grapes are available

• California green grapes will ship through early December
• Quality is good; some soft/damaged fruit is being reported
• Offshore Peruvian and Chilean green grapes will enter the market in early December
• Markets will inch up through the end of the California growing season

Portioned Grapes

• MFC Lunch Bunch Grapes are available
• California portioned grapes will be shipped until mid-January
• Quality is good; problems are minor
• Offshore Peruvian and Chilean portioned grapes will enter the market in mid-January
• Expect prices to rise through the end of the California growing season

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Markets remain extremely elevated amid low yields and reduced quality in the Salinas Valley as the season comes to a close. MFC Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces are sporadic; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed due to low weights

Salinas, California

• Quality is fair at best
  • Low weights, disease pressure, and mildew are reducing yields

• • 0.25-0.50” of rain is forecast tomorrow in Salinas
  • Harvesting crews will be on standby and may be sent home if rain is severe enough
  • Markon has worked with growers to harvest ahead and/or transfer product from other regions to fill orders

Huron, California

• Production is ongoing
• Quality and weights are good

Oxnard, California

• Production is supplementing any shortages
• Quality is good, but weights are low

Arizona-California Desert Region

• Production started last week and continues to ramp up
• • Most growers will begin harvesting next week
  • Markon will make the final transition the week of November 17
• Expect markets to remain elevated through November, until this season ramps up

Seedless Lemons

California seedless lemons will begin shipping next week.

• External color, size structure, and taste mirror seeded lemons
• Prices are high; supplies are tight, but expected to increase week over week
• Quality is excellent

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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