Bell Peppers

Red Bells

• The California market is active due to increased demand and snug supplies

• • Cool weather is slowing the ripening process; rain is in the forecast this weekend and may affect harvesting/supply levels

• • 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
• 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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