Bell Peppers
Red Bells
- The California market is active due to increased demand and snug supplies
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- Cool weather is slowing the ripening process; rain is in the forecast this weekend and may affect harvesting/supply levels
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- Quality is good
- Large sizes are limited
- The main red pepper season in Sonora, Mexico is expected to start in mid-December with good quality and size variety
- The East Coast does not produce a large volume of colored bell peppers; prices are elevated
- Overall markets are expected to rise over the next two weeks
Green Bells
- California’s coastal growing regions of Santa Maria and Hollister are experiencing cool evening weather that is affecting plant yields; growers will transition to the Coachella, California region over the next several weeks
- All sizes are available
- Quality is good
- Georgia and North Carolina are well into their fall crops; cooler evening are expected this week, slowing production
- Quality is good
- All size options are available
- Florida growers are expected to start production in early November
- Mexico’s Sonora region should begin harvesting in two weeks, pending no major weather events; the Sinaloa region escaped major damage from hurricane Pamela and will start on time in mid- to late November
- Expect markets to increase slightly
California Orange Transition
Valencia
- California Valencia supplies are expected to ship through the week of October 18
- Quality has deteriorated; heat from last summer, lack of water, and necessary gassing are taking a toll on fruit
- Current stocks are dominated by 56- and 72-count sizes, with choice-grade fruit most prevalent
- Small-size fruit (113- to 138-count oranges) will be extremely limited for the rest of the Valencia season
- Sugar levels are at 16 Brix; high sugar levels such as this typically result in a shorter shelf-life
- Expect prices for small sizes to increase
Navel
- The California Navel harvest has begun; volume will ramp up over the next three to four weeks
- Current stocks are dominated by 88- and 113-count sizes, mainly fancy grade fruit
- Sugar levels range from 11.5 to 12 Brix
- 80% of the Navels being packed are fancy grade oranges at this time
- Early variety fruit requires gassing for 72+ hours to degreen fruit
- Expect prices for large sizes to increase
Onions
- Yellow onion size continues to be dominated by mediums; however, growers report the profile has increased in the later lots being harvested
- A significant price gap of $7.00 to $9.00 remains between medium and jumbo sizes
- Markon First Crop (MFC) Red and Yellow Onion quality is excellent:
- Supplies possess solid, globe-like shape and firm texture
- Yellow onions have golden, cured skins
- Red onion skin is setting nicely with a few paper layers
- Supplies possess solid, globe-like shape and firm texture
- Packer label onions are also being shipped out of Colorado
Broccoli
- Stocks are forecast to remain tight heading into the transition to the desert growing region
- Most growers will begin broccoli harvests in the desert growing regions the week of November 15
- Due to inconsistent weather, growth has slowed considerably
- Expect markets to remain high through this seasonal transition
Strawberries
Santa Maria
- MFC Strawberries are available
- The forecast calls for rain from Sunday, October 24 into Monday, October 25
- MFC plastic clamshells may need to be substituted for the corrugated clamshells
- Quality is good: fruit is firm and size has increased due to cooler evening weather
- Harvesting crews will be reduced for the next two weeks as growers shift crews to begin planting the 2022 spring crop
- Expect rising prices for the next 10-14 days
Salinas/Watsonville
- Volume and quality are diminishing quickly
- Forecasts call for rain through Monday, October 25
- The season will be finished by late October
- Quality issues include softness and bruising
Squash
- MFC Zucchini and Yellow Squash will be available starting October 25
- Production is ending earlier than previously expected in Santa Maria, California due to cool fall weather
- Supplies are limited
- Heavy rain is expected this weekend
- Mexican stocks are increasing in the Sonora region
- Quality is excellent; long travel is a non-issue
- Product is available crossing through Nogales or loading in Los Angeles
- East Coast volume (out of Georgia and North Carolina) is down slightly due to cooler evenings, but overall quality is good; some minor rain-related soft spots have been observed
- Expect markets to remain steady over the next two to three weeks
Tomatoes
- California round and Roma tomato production will continue to slow down over the next few weeks
- Cooler evening weather has decreased harvesting to three to four times per week rather than daily
- Quality is good
- Additional grading is required at the pack-out stage
- Overall tomato shelf-life typically decreases at this time of year
- Size is dominated by 6×6 and 6×7; large and extra-large supplies are limited
- The East Coast round and Roma supply is going through transition over the next two to three weeks
- The Tennessee fall season will end next week
- Northern Florida production is starting up; early season plantings will produce low yields due to excessive heat during their growth cycle
- The main round tomato growing season in Florida will start in late October
- Mexico has a steady supply of Roma and grape tomatoes
- During the transition from California to Florida, strong demand will shift to the Baja region
- Quality is good; all sizes are available
- Hurricane Pamela might affect overall winter supply levels from the Sinaloa region; crops are in the early planting stage and farmers need additional time to evaluate fields
- Prices are expected to increase over the next two weeks
Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.
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