Asparagus

Recent rainfall across key Mexican and Peruvian growing regions temporarily increased asparagus supplies and eased markets; however, overall availability remains extremely limited. Jumbo and extra-large sizes remain critically short, with ongoing weather pressures expected to keep supplies restricted through the year.

Customers should plan for supply limitations, particularly on jumbo and extra-large size orders. Please communicate substitution flexibility as early as possible.

Mexico

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Asparagus is limited; packer label is being substituted as needed
• Heavy rains associated with recent tropical weather systems accelerated harvest activity, temporarily increasing production
• This short-term supply increase is expected to be exhausted by the end of October
• Early harvesting will reduce availability later in the season; Mexican supplies are projected to remain extremely limited through the remainder of 2026
• Jumbo and extra-large supplies remain critically short and are expected to stay limited into early 2027
• Quality ranges from fair to good with some defects reported:
  • Wrinkled spears
  • Undersizing
  • Seeding/spreading
  • Dehydration and wrinkled spears

Peru (into South Florida)

• Warm, rainy El Niño weather is affecting quality across active growing regions
• Excessive spreading/seeding and flabby spears are being reported
• Forecasts indicate El Niño conditions may intensify in coming months, creating additional production challenges
• Production remains heavily weighted toward small and standard sizes
• Jumbo and extra-large supplies remain extremely limited

Customers should plan for continued supply constraints and maintain flexibility on sizing. Markets are expected to remain elevated, with the greatest challenges centered on sourcing jumbo and extra-large asparagus through the end of the year.

Bell Peppers

Bell pepper supplies will increase over the next few weeks as Georgia production ramps up and Florida growers prepare to begin harvesting. California markets are active due to recent inclement weather. MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

• California green bell supplies are especially snug as coastal harvesting winds down for the seasonal transition to Coachella
  • Coachella production will start slowly as the region recovers from heavy rain from Tropical Storm Rachel
  • Some growers halted production Monday/Tuesday to let fields dry
  • Quality is good; choice grade supplies are most common
  • Expect active prices this week
• East Coast production is increasing
  • South Georgia production is officially underway; volume will continue to build
  • Florida harvests will begin in the next 7-10 days
  • The market will ease over the next 10 days as additional volume becomes available
  • Quality is good

Red Bells

• California red bell volume is low due to recent rains in Hollister and Oxnard
• Supplies are limited out of Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas)
• Canadian greenhouse production has fallen due to reduced daylight
• Expect higher prices over the next two weeks

Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons

Cantaloupe and honeydew melon harvests are transitioning out of California’s San Joaquin Valley to the Arizona desert growing region for a brief fall season. MFC Cantaloupe and Honeydew are available.

Cantaloupe

San Joaquin Valley, California

• Most growers will finish the California season this week
• Although volume has fallen, it’s sufficient to bridge the transition to Arizona
• Quality is good; size is small
• Expect slightly higher prices over the next two weeks, especially for large sizes

Arizona Desert Region

• Harvesting has begun in a limited manner
  • Yields are lower than expected
  • Rain and cooler weather will keep yields low this fall
• Remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel delayed harvesting over the weekend, but this week’s dry conditions will allow growers to resume operations
• Melons harvested in the Yuma area may exhibit residual mud
• Markets will rise this week, but increased production will push them back down over the next one to two weeks

Honeydew

San Joaquin Valley, California

• Harvesting will wrap up early this week
• Volume is lower than that of cantaloupes
• Size is primarily five-count; six- and eight-count supplies are limited
• Quality is very good; melon exterior is clean with solid sugar levels of 13-17% Brix
• Markets will go up slowly over the next 7-10 days while yields are low

Arizona Desert Region

• Production will begin later this week
• Growers are expecting tight supplies this fall
• Quality fair: minor cosmetic defects such as scarring will be slightly more common compared to California fruit
• Markets will inch down in two to three weeks as harvests ramp up in Arizona and Mexico

Mexico

• Limited quantities are entering the U.S. market
• Increased production is expected over the next two weeks
• Quality ranges from good to fair, but shelf life is lower than that of domestic fruit

Citrus

Although the California Valencia orange season is winding down, new-crop California Navels have begun shipping. As Navel volume increases, pricing should gradually ease, particularly on smaller fruit, and improved availability should provide some relief to the broader orange market. Lemon markets are easing as availability increases and demand weakens.

Oranges

• MFC and ESS Navel Oranges are available
• Stocks are being shipped out of California, Florida, and New Jersey
• California Navel harvesting began this week, with volume expected to build over the next three to four weeks; supplies will favor 113- and 138-count fancy-grade fruit
• The California Valencia harvest is expected to finish the week of October 26
• The Florida season has begun with new crop Hamlins; new crop Navels will start shipping in early November
• Offshore fruit from Chile, South Africa, and Peru is being imported into New Jersey
• Markets will inch down over the next two to three weeks as California Navel supplies increase week over week

Lemons

• MFC and ESS Lemons are available  
• Stocks are being shipped out of California, Mexico, and New Jersey
• Quality is excellent
• Expect slowly declining prices and ample supplies through December

Mandarins

• MFC Mandarins are available
• Both domestic and imported supplies are being shipped
• Quality is excellent; current sugar levels range from 11-12 Brix
• Expect steady markets and ample supplies through December

Green Beans

The green bean market is active. Supplies are extremely limited on both coasts due to weather disruptions, early season finishes, and regional harvesting transitions. Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Trimmed Green Beans are available.

• East Coast supplies remain extremely limited as Northern and Midwestern districts end production and Southeastern acreage ramps up
  • The Michigan season is nearly finished
  • Production ended earlier than expected in Canada and New York
  • Current volume is concentrated in Virginia and the Eastern Shore of North Carolina
  • Rain and storms have slowed harvests in North Florida; Georgia supplies should increase availability over the next week, but recovery may be uneven
• West Coast supplies are snug after recent inclement weather
  • California production is down to a few growers
  • Heat has reduced yields
  • Quality is fair; rust has been reported
• Baja production was further disrupted by Tropical Storm Rachel
  • Growers have reported crop losses in coastal fields
  • Official weather agencies continue to flag unsettled conditions across parts of Baja and Western Mexico, limiting near-term relief
  • Transitions to Jalisco and Los Mochis are upcoming, but immediate improvement will be limited
• Guatemala remains a supplemental source; however, current volume is not sufficient to offset domestic and Mexican shortfalls
• Expect elevated prices and limited availability for at least the next two to four weeks

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Green leaf, iceberg, and romaine supplies are expected to remain extremely limited through the end of the Salinas season in early to mid-November. Abnormally high temperatures have decreased yields and continue to push up prices. MFC Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces are available in Salinas, California; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed due to low weights

Salinas/Santa Maria, California

• Quality ranges from fair to good; insect pressure, internal burn, mildew, and seeder are being found in many lots
• Disease pressure, including INSV and Sclerotinia, persists; percentages of impacted heads vary from lot to lot
• Decreased yields/crop loss are being seen throughout the Salinas Valley

Huron, California

• Harvesting will start in mid-October

Mexico (crossing into Texas)

• Production continues year-round

New Mexico

• Las Cruces harvests are scheduled to start the week of October 12 and ramp up the following week
• Early season rains wiped out 10-15% of total plantings; romaine will be the most limited lettuce this fall season (through late November)

South Carolina

• This season will begin the week of October 19, further helping reduce pressure on California supplies

Green Onions

Green onion prices have eased; however, another round of tropical storms is forecast to impact key Mexican growing regions early next week. These storms may disrupt harvest schedules and tighten supplies. Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Green Onions are available; packer label is being substituted as needed.

• Two tropical systems are forecast to move into the Northern Baja Peninsula this weekend and continue into early next week
• Heavy rainfall, strong winds, and localized flooding may disrupt production and impact field conditions
• Supplies remain vulnerable following previous storm events, which prompted many shippers to harvest ahead of schedule
• Quality is generally good; however, weather-related concerns may include:
  • Field damage and lodged onions
  • Early decay and slimy tips
  • Discoloration
• Availability is expected to tighten next week as harvest challenges persist
• Weather-related supply pressure will remain a concern heading into mid-October

Onions

Fresh-run MFC Onions are available in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Utah. New crop harvests are winding down with product rolling into long-term storage. The overall storage season is in good shape, with active demand keeping markets elevated but stable.

Washington

• New crop onion harvests will finish by the middle of next week
• Lots have exhibited high yields and great quality for the upcoming storage season
• Prices are steady

Idaho/Oregon

• Fresh-run harvests are expected to finish late next week
• Yields are down approximately 20% from last year, but overall supplies are ample
• Although demand is up for export jumbo yellow and white into Mexico, markets are stable

Utah

• Harvesting is wrapping up for the upcoming storage season
• Overall yields are normal; quality is great across the board
• Prices are level

Colorado

• Harvests will finish this weekend
• Red and yellow quality is good; white quality is excellent
• Yields are average
• The size profile is leaning to jumbo and medium sizes
• Markets are stable

Oranges

Although the California Valencia season is winding down, California Navels have started shipping in a limited manner. As new-crop Navels enter the market, prices for smaller fruit (113- to 138-count oranges) will ease. Increasing Navel availability should provide some relief to the broader orange market.

Domestic

• MFC and ESS Valencia Oranges are available
• California Valencia supplies are expected to ship through late October, with current inventories concentrated on 56- and 72-count choice-grade fruit
• Sugar levels are running 13–15% Brix; these higher sugar levels may contribute to a shorter shelf life
• Limited California Navel harvesting began this week, with volume expected to build over the next three to four weeks; supplies will favor 113- and 138-count fancy-grade fruit
• Early Navels are running 10–12% Brix with a greenish orange complexion and require 72+ hours of gassing; expect small-size pricing to gradually decline as yields increase
• Markets will inch down over the next two to three weeks as Navel supplies increase week over week

Imports

• Chilean, South African, and Peruvian oranges are being imported on both coasts
• Expect extremely tight supplies of 105- to 113-count oranges for the rest of the season

• Quality is great
• Prices will continue climbing until the season ends

Florida

• The new crop Hamlin season is underway
• New crop Navels will begin shipping in early November
• Stocks will be dominated by 113-count and larger sizes; 138-count fruit is limited
• Fair quality is predicted; choice and standard grades will be most abundant

Mexico

• The Early Sweet orange variety will start in late October
• Great quality is forecast; sugar levels will range from 11-13% Brix
• Prices will be comparable to those in Florida

Potatoes

MFC Potatoes are available in Idaho and Washington. New crop harvests are finishing as growers transition to storage stocks. Markets are elevated.

Idaho

• MFC Norkotah Potatoes are being shipped
• Growers report lower yields compared to 2025-2026 season following rain and wildfire smoke that negatively impacted plant growth
• Large sizes (40- to 70-count stocks) and U.S. No. 2 grade supplies are extremely limited and commanding higher prices
• Expect tight supplies of 40’s, 50’s and 60’s through the storage season
• Fresh-run Burbanks are available in limited quantities
• Markets are higher this week as growers work to catch up to demand; sheds are running behind schedule

Washington

• New crop MFC Norkotah Potatoes are available
• Growers report lower volume compared to 2025-2026 season following temperature swings, rain, and wildfire smoke that negatively impacted plant growth
• Size range is decent, but strong demand for larger sizes is keeping those prices high
• Overall markets are steady at elevated levels

Colorado

• New crop harvests will finish as growers move into storage supplies over the next 7-10 days
• Growers report comparable yields season compared to the 2025-26 season
• Growers report a good range of sizing; Increased demand for larger 40ct-70ct sizes is keeping that market elevated
• Prices are steady at elevated levels

Wisconsin

• New crop harvests should finish by late October; growers will ship from storage thereafter
• Suppliers report a good range of sizing with average to slightly above-average yields this season following fewer weather events than were seen in 2025
• Markets are steady

Quality

• Fresh-run quality is good; skinning and excess moisture may be observed until the transition to storage supplies that have gone through the sweating process
• Fresh-run potatoes will be replaced by storage supplies over the next several weeks as the remaining fresh run supplies work their way through the supply chain
  • The ‘sweat’ process allows field heat to leave the potatoes (which causes the release of moisture), putting them in dormancy and preventing sprouting from occurring during the early months
  • Potatoes release moisture as they cool, which can cause potatoes to appear wet and can cause a light, white surface residue to develop that is easily brushed off
  • The white residue will typically dissipate as potatoes dry in transit and does not pose any quality or food safety concerns
  • Expect quality and appearance to improve once growers transition to storage supplies

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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