Blueberries

Blueberry supplies remain extremely limited; the domestic season has ended while imported shipments have been delayed. Expect elevated markets and scarce supplies for the next two to three weeks.

• Production has ended in the Pacific Northwest and Michigan
• Peruvian import shipments are delayed but supplies are expected to increase by the month’s end
• Mexican harvests are off to a slow start; the season typically begins in late October
• Demand far exceeds supply; the industry will remain in a production gap for the next two to three weeks
• Expect high markets and pro-rated orders for the next two to three weeks

Broccoli

Markon First Crop (MFC) Broccoli Crowns are available in Salinas, California.

California – Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys

• Brown bead and yellowing remain the primary quality concerns, as we approach the end of the 2023 Salinas and Santa Maria seasons
• Hollow core with bracketed crown structures are being observed in many lots
• Erratic weather is affecting industry supplies
• Despite recent declines – overall markets are expected to stay slightly elevated in the mid-term as stocks remain low;
  • West Coast acreage will diminish leading into the harvesting transition to the Arizona/California desert region

Arizona/California Desert – Yuma, Imperial, and Coachella

• Most suppliers will start production by the first or second week of November
• Warm weather is creating no cause for concern as growers get ready to harvest their first fields

Central Mexico

• Markon Best Available (MBA) is being packed due to the heavy presence of hollow core, but overall crown quality of crowns is good

• Mexican product remains available in South Texas at lower FOB pricing
• Steady supplies and slightly more stable markets are forecast for the next three to four weeks at minimum

Brussels Sprouts

Although the market remains high, it’s starting to ease.

• MFC and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are available
• Markets are expected to fall over the next 7-10 days, as supplies and acreage increase
• While industry yields are set to increase slightly to meet holiday demand, high prices are forecast through the first half of November
• The size profile has widened, increasing availability of jumbo sprouts and creating spot buy opportunities

Cauliflower

Cauliflower markets are trending lower this week, as production was pushed ahead of schedule by unseasonably warm temperatures.

• Markon Essentials (ESS) Cauliflower is available in Salinas, California; packer label will be substituted as needed to fill orders
• Quality is fair; discoloration, dark spotting, bracketed heads, and insect pressure are affecting many lots and reducing yields
• Prices are expected to remain volatile for the next two to three weeks as West Coast harvesting winds down and growers transition to desert growing regions

Cilantro

• RSS Washed & Trimmed Cilantro is available

• Quality has taken a downturn following a high pressure system that brought high temperatures to the primary growing regions in California
  • Oxnard, Santa Maria, and Salinas Valley have all experienced unseasonably high temperatures since early October
  • Yellowing, bolting, and premature breakdown have become challenges in current lots due to this heat
• Cooler weather and shorter days will help to improve the quality of newer plantings and total supplies, as cilantro is naturally a cool weather plant
• Markets are expected to remain relatively steady for the next one to two weeks

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuce in Transition

Green leaf, iceberg, and romaine supplies will continue to meet demand, as the Santa Maria and Salinas Valley seasons begin to wind down and growers transition to Huron, California and the Arizona/California desert growing regions.

• MFC Premium Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine are being packed regularly; Markon Best Available (MBA) will be substituted as needed due to low weights
• Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) presence continues to be minimal, and is not expected to impact supplies, or the market, as the Salinas season comes the end of its 2023 season
• Huron harvests will start in a light way next week, then ramp up the following week
• The Arizona/California desert season will start in early to mid-November; initial quality and supply reports are favorable
• Salinas iceberg production will end in early to mid-November; green leaf and romaine harvests will continue through mid- to late November

Idaho Potatoes

Idaho’s potato harvest is now complete; overall demand is moderate. Expect markets to increase over the next few weeks.

• The harvest is now complete, so growers can control supply levels and hold back shipments to increase prices
• MFC Norkotah Potatoes are shipping out of storage

• MFC Burbank Potatoes are in storage sheds until the sweat process is complete
  • Burbank supplies will undergo the sweat process to shed excess moisture after harvest
  • The process lasts approximately three to four weeks or until the outer skin is cured sufficiently
  • After the sweat process is complete, skins will have a smooth, net-like appearance
• Limited MFC Burbank Potatoes will begin shipping from storage in early November

Limes

Supplies are tight in Veracruz, Mexico due to recent inclement weather. Markets remain elevated, especially those for larger sizes. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Limes are available.

• Stocks are snug as the Veracruz region experienced rainstorms this week
• Large sizes (110- to 150-count fruit) are extremely limited; however, new crop smaller sizes (230- to 250-count limes) are widely available
• • Packers are grading heavily for blanching, scarring, and oil spots
• The Jalisco region, which adds to overall lime volume in December, will see lower yields due to Hurricane Lidia
• Expect the price spread between large and small sizes to persist into next week

Strawberries

Production continues to decline in Salinas/Watsonville. Santa Maria’s fall strawberry crop has peaked; Oxnard production has begun.

Salinas/Watsonville

• MFC Strawberries are available  
• Stocks continue to diminish as the season is past its peak and is expected to finish in late October
• Size currently ranges from small to medium (20 to 24 berries per one-pound clamshell)
• Quality is fair; some softness and early decay have been reported

Santa Maria

• MFC Strawberries are available
• The fall crop has reached its peak and has begun to downtrend
• Size currently ranges from small to medium (20 to 24 berries per one-pound clamshell)
• Quality is good; some softness due to unseasonably high temperatures and minimal white shoulders have been reported
• Expect markets to climb as production declines

Oxnard

• MFC Strawberries are available
• The season has started; volume will increase week over week
• Size currently ranges from medium to large (14 to 18 berries per one-pound clamshell)

• Quality is good; color is estimated at 95% in early season harvests

South Texas – Mexican grown

• Volume is low as the season begins
• Current supplies are being used for local markets or being sold in Mexico
• Expect steady volume crossing into San Juan, Texas by mid-October

Florida

• Production will begin after Thanksgiving in a limited manner
• Orders are estimated to begin shipping the week of December 4

West Coast Fall Harvesting Transitions

Please click here to view a Markon presentation about West Coast fall harvesting transitions.

• Although many produce items are available year-round, most are not harvested in the same regions the entire time
• West Coast lettuce and leafy greens growers make seasonal moves in the fall and spring
• Other high-use produce items that transition include broccoli, celery, and strawberries
• Markon inspectors travel with the seasons, monitoring product daily to ensure quality and food safety standards are met

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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