Asparagus

Markets are steady to slightly lower than last week. Peruvian imports are shipping into Miami, Florida, while West Coast product is focused in Baja, Mexico.

Mexico

• Mexico is North America’s primary growing region
• Supplies are being harvested in Baja and Sonora
• Although Tropical Storm Norma caused minimal damage to crops, harvesting was interrupted this weekend
• Size profile is dominated by small-diameter stalks; large and standard sizes are tighter
• Production will shift towards Central Mexico when the Sonora and Baja regions wrap up for the year

Peru

• Volume is close to the annual average in Southern Peru despite El Nino weather that lowered yields through the summer months
  • Heat in the short and long-term forecast may increase seeding and spread defects over the next three to five weeks
  • The high likelihood of another El Nino pattern this winter is threatening to keep Peruvian volume low for next year as well
• FOB pricing is comparable on both coasts

Bell Peppers

Green bell peppers have begun transitioning south on both coasts; markets are steady. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

California

• • Production is winding down in Oxnard and Hollister
  • New crop Coachella and Thermal harvests have begun with increased volume expected over the next several weeks
  • Quality is good
  • Markets are steady but have the potential to become active as the transition occurs

Mexico/East Coast

• • Central Mexican supplies (crossing through Texas) are limited; markets are slightly higher
  • New crop stocks from Western Mexico (crossing into Nogales, Arizona) will begin shipping in late November; recent storms may cause delays and planting gaps at the start of their season
  • Georgia/Florida production is steady
    • Expect supplies to tighten the first week of November, as cooler weather patterns move in
    • Low temperatures are forecast in Georgia and Northern Florida next week which will increase prices

Red Bells

California

• • Supplies are ample in the Hollister and Oxnard growing regions; volume is expected to decrease over the next two to three weeks as the transition to the Southern California desert region approaches
  • Coachella and Thermal new crop harvests will begin in early to mid-November; the domestic season will wrap up by late December
  • Quality is good; markets are steady

Mexico/Canada

• • Stocks remain limited in Central Mexico (crossing through Texas)
  • Eastern Canadian production is light
  • Western Mexico (crossing into Nogales, AZ) will become primary growing region in late December/early January

Berries

Blueberry supplies remain limited; supplies are increasing slowly. Blackberries are limited due to the lingering effects of Hurricane Lidia in Mexico.

Blueberries

• Baja production is past its fall peak and will continue to decline
• Peruvian import supplies are expected to increase each week moving forward
• Mexican harvesting is off to a slow start and not expected to produce significant volume until mid-November
• Demand 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

Blackberries

• Central Mexico’s yields are lower than anticipated due to rain damage from Hurricane Lidia two weeks ago
• The California season is past its fall peak; volume will continue to decline
• Demand exceeds supply; the industry will remain this way for the next two to three weeks
• Expect diminishing supplies and rising markets

Raspberries

• The California growing season is past its peak and will continue to downtrend for the remainder of the season
• Mexican production continues to increase and will reach its peak this week
• Quality is good; no issues have been reported at this time
• Expect sufficient supplies and stable markets

Brussels Sprouts

The Brussels sprouts market is easing.

• MFC and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are available
• Markets will continue to inch down over the next 7-10 days as supplies and acreage increase
• Industry yields are set to rise to meet holiday demand; higher-than-average prices are forecast through mid-November
• The size profile has widened, increasing availability of jumbo sprouts

Cauliflower

Cauliflower markets have rapidly declined.

• ESS Cauliflower is available in Salinas, California
• Lower prices are due to:
  • Favorable weather pushing growth ahead of schedule in the Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys
  • Growers are harvesting remaining fields before new crop desert supplies start shipping in November
• Quality ranges from fair to good; discoloration/dark spotting, leafy curds, and elevated insect pressure are affecting some lots
• Prices are expected to climb by mid- to late next week with potential to be volatile through November as production transitions south

From the Fields: Huron Region Lettuce Supply

This week, growers started harvesting iceberg and leaf lettuce crops from the Huron, California region. Salinas Valley supplies will be available for two to three more weeks.

• The tail end of the Salinas season will be bridged by areas such as Oxnard, California before the Arizona/California desert season begins.

• Markon First Crop, 24-count liner lettuce, has good overall quality and weights between 46 and 48 lbs. Recent high temperatures have challenged leaf lettuce items such as romaine and green leaf; issues include low case weights, misshaped heads, and varying levels of insect pressure. Markon Best Available will be substituted as needed.
• Markon inspectors are monitoring supplies in all major growing regions and will continue to update throughout the seasonal transition to the Arizona/California desert growing region.

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces

Green leaf, iceberg, and romaine supplies remain ample as the Santa Maria and Salinas Valley seasons wind down. Harvesting in Huron and Oxnard, California is supplementing orders until Arizona/California desert production begins.

• MFC Premium Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine are sporadic; Markon Best Available (MBA) will be substituted as needed due to low weights
• Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) presence remains minimal, and will not impact supply levels, or the market, as the Salinas and Santa Maria 2023 seasons end
• The Arizona/California desert season will start in early to mid-November; quality and supply reports continue to be favorable
• Huron, Oxnard, Santa Maria, and Salinas production will end in mid- to late November

Lemons

Prices for small lemons remain elevated due to tight stocks and strong demand. Volume will rise in the coming weeks as production starts in new crop regions.

• MFC and ESS Lemons are available  
• Small sizes (165- through 235-count fruit) remain limited
• Size or country of origin changes may be needed to help fill orders
• Expect easing markets and increased supplies once new crop California lemons start shipping at the end of October

Melons

Melon supplies are snug the Arizona/California desert are snug, driving prices higher. Markon First Crop (MFC) Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons are available.

Cantaloupe

• The California/Arizona desert supplies are tight due to cooler evening temperatures
  • Quality is average; sugar levels range from 10 to 11 Brix
  • Nine- and jumbo nine-count sizes are limited
• Mexican volume (into Nogales, Arizona) is increasing and will help offset overall supply levels over the next few weeks
• Offshore cantaloupe from Guatemala, arriving into Florida and Texas ports, will start shipping the week of November 13
• Expect slightly higher prices, especially for large sizes, over the next week

Honeydew

• The California/Arizona desert supply is adequate
  • Quality is fair with occasional wind scarring
  • Sugar levels average 11 Brix
  • All sizes are available
• Mexico melons (crossing into Nogales) are increasing
• Offshore honeydew from Guatemala, arriving into Florida and Texas ports, will start shipping the week of November 13
• Expect steady prices over the next two weeks

Oranges

Small oranges (113- through 138-count fruit) remain limited due to low volume, but better availability is forecast once new crop Navels start shipping out of California.

California  

• MFC and ESS Valencia Oranges are available
• Expect limited supplies for the next two weeks
• Small sizes (113- through 138-count fruit) are extremely tight
• Expect to make size and grade substitutions in order to fill orders
• New crop California Navels will begin shipping the week of October 30
• Expect easing markets and increased supplies as new crop Navels at that time

Mexico

• The season will begin in approximately two weeks
• The Early orange variety will be available in both McAllen, Texas and Nogales, Arizona

Florida

• New crop fruit will start shipping the week of October 30 and run through June 2024
• Supplies are expected to be dominated by 100- to 125-count and larger packs
• The majority of fruit will be choice and standard grades

Texas

• Oranges will begin shipping the week of November 13

• Navels will be the predominate variety available, but Early oranges will be on the market also

Stringless Sugar Snap Peas

Prices remain elevated. Supplies continue to be limited due to industrywide quality challenges, but availability has increased this week as warm weather aided growth.

California – Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys

• Late quality problems have arisen; cooler nighttime temperatures, shorter days, wind, and precipitation have had a deleterious effect on total production
• External pitting, russeting, scarring, and water damage are prevalent, leading to shortened shelf-life; heavy culling has reduced yields at the field level
• Expect limited supplies to persist as the season winds down over the next two to three weeks

Imports – Northern Mexico and Peru

• Peruvian supplies are tight but helping to supplement the market and exhibiting slightly better quality
• Product grown in Northern Mexico is set to enter the market in late October
• Markets will remain elevated until production ramps up in mid- to late November

Tropical Storm/Hurricane Norma

Norma made landfall Monday morning near the city of Culiacan, located in the Western Mexican state of Sinaloa. The storm brought heavy rains, strong winds, and floodings to a primary winter growing region known for bell peppers, cucumbers, green beans, and tomatoes.

• Tropical Storm Norma brought 16-20” of heavy rain to Culiacan, 12” to 18” to La Cruz, and 11-13” to Guasave
• • Crews are diligently working to drain fields and help salvage plants
  • Strong winds damaged some shade cloth which will require repairs
• Replanting will occur in some areas which will cause delays for winter crops
• Some earlier planted green bean crops, intended for Thanksgiving demand, may be lost
• Other crops such as bell peppers and cucumbers may require topical applications to prevent viruses
• Markon will continue to monitor and update as more information becomes available

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

©2023 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.