Broccoli

The broccoli market is expected to escalate as California growers contend with elevated diamondback moth (DBM) pressure, quality challenges, and declining yields from late-season fields. Recent heat has accelerated maturity, pulling production schedules forward and reducing harvest expectations for the week ahead. Markon First Crop (MFC) Broccoli is available in Salinas, California.

California

• Yields are low due to increased quality challenges, exacerbated by recent heat
• DBM pressure remains elevated across several growing regions
• Pin rot is being reported throughout portions of the Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys
• Late-season acreage is showing signs of fatigue, limiting yield potential

Mexico (crossing through South Texas)

• Supplies are readily available
• Quality is generally superior to California product
• Insect pressure is minimal
• Some lots are exhibiting discoloration, uneven sizing, and occasional hollow core
• Tightening California supplies and quality concerns could shift additional demand to Mexico and drive up markets

East Coast

• Maine harvests are expected to run through October
• Indiana production has begun, though yields are expected to be low this season
• Virginia harvests are underway

California Oranges

The California Valencia season is ending. The California Navel season will start on a limited basis next week. Prices for small-size fruit (113- to 138-count oranges) will ease in late October.

Valencia

• California Valencia supplies are expected to ship through late October
• Current stocks are dominated by 56- and 72-count sizes; choice-grade fruit is most plentiful
• Small-size fruit (113- to 138-count oranges) will be extremely limited for the rest of the Valencia season
• Sugar levels range from 13 to 15 Brix; high sugar levels such as this typically result in a shorter shelf-life

Navel

• Limited California Navel harvesting will begin next week; volume will ramp up over the next three to four weeks
• Stocks will be dominated by 88- and 113-count sizes; fancy grade fruit is most prevalent
• Sugar levels range from 10 to 12 Brix
• This early variety fruit requires gassing for 72+ hours
• Expect prices for small sizes to inch down as Navel yields increase

Green Beans

Green bean prices are elevated. Supplies are extremely limited; weather disruptions and regional transitions are reducing availability. Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Trimmed Green Beans are available.

• East Coast production remains inconsistent as Northern and Midwestern districts transition to Southern acreage
  • Rain, drought stress, and fluctuating temperatures have disrupted plant development and harvest timing
  • Delayed picking and early field finishes are limiting day-to-day availability
  • Southern acreage should gradually increase yields, but near-term conditions are tight
• West Coast supplies are limited out of California and Baja, Mexico
  • Heat has reduced yields and affected pod quality; some rust is being reported
  • Rain and additional storm risks in Baja may further interrupt harvests and transportation
• Mexican production remains below normal and is not providing meaningful relief to shortages
  • Recent hurricane impacts have reduced volume
  • Transitions to Jalisco and Los Mochis are upcoming, but immediate improvement will be limited
• Growers are reporting good quality and sufficient supplies in Guatemala as production is concentrated in the cooler highland areas
• Expect elevated prices and limited availability over the next several weeks

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Iceberg supplies are expected to remain extremely limited through the remainder of the Salinas season. Lower yields continue to push prices up. Romaine and green leaf markets are active, but not as high as iceberg. 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 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 seen throughout the Salinas Valley

Huron, California

• This season is expected to begin 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 is expected to be the most limited lettuce this fall season (through late November)

South Carolina

• The season is expected to begin the week of October 19, further reducing pressure on California supplies

Northeastern Canada and USA

• All harvests are forecast to continue through early October
• Iceberg quality has been up and down from week to week; green leaf and romaine quality has been more consistent

Limes

Increased volumes out of Mexico are pushing markets lower. MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Limes are available.

Mexico

• Production has increased in the newer regions in Veracruz, Mexico
• Markets are coming down on all sizes, but smaller sizes are seeing the largest drop
• Large sizes, 110- and 150-count, will remain limited for the next several weeks
• Quality is improving, but stylar and oil spotting are intermittent
• Expect markets to inch down further into October

Colombia

• Volumes are lower than anticipated for this time of year
• El Niño weather conditions have caused insufficient rainfall leading to lower yields
• Sizing is skewing heavily toward smaller sizes, 230- and 250-count, leaving the larger sizes tight
• Despite the lower production on the large sizes, markets have softened to stay competitive with Mexico

Hawaii

• The U.S. is still waiting on approval from regulators to begin purchasing Hawaiian limes
• Quality is consistent; however, limes are showing a lighter green shade
• Markets are generally higher than Mexican product

Strawberries

After a period of mild temperatures, a warming trend is forecast through October 8, with daytime highs expected to reach the 80s across key California growing regions, including Salinas/Watsonville, Oxnard, and Santa Maria. The prolonged heat is expected to accelerate fruit maturity and increase quality concerns, including overripening, bruising, and misshapen fruit, which may impact pack-outs, shelf life, and overall fruit quality moving into the following week.

Supplies

• Volume will fall due to sun and heat damage
• Additional production impacts are possible over the next several weeks as plants recover from the heat

Quality

• Direct sun damage is resulting in increased culling at the field level
• Softer fruit and more bruising are anticipated over the next 7 to 10 days
• Receivers should expect more softness and berry-on-berry bruising than normal upon arrival
• Growers are aggressively sorting fruit and rapidly cooling product to maintain the highest possible quality standards
• Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns

Outlook

• Supplies will be tight in the short term as growers manage heat-related quality issues and reduced field production
• Quality concerns are expected to persist over the next week, with softness and bruising being the primary challenges
• Expect elevated prices over the next two to three weeks

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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