Bell Peppers

California markets are active as transition to the California desert growing region approaches. East Coast prices are on the rise as fall weather is hindering production. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

• California
  • Production is winding down in Oxnard, Newhall, and Hollister, California
  • Quality is good
  • The California desert season is expected to begin in the next two to three weeks
  • Markets are rising

• Central Mexico/East Coast   
  • Central Mexican supplies (crossing through Texas) are limited; prices are slightly higher
  • Domestic Northeastern growing regions are phasing out as growers transition to Southern growing regions
  • Georgia harvests are ramping up
    • Rain is forecast for this weekend
    • Expect lower volume next week
  • East Coast markets are higher

Red Bells

• California
  • Supplies are ample in Hollister, Oxnard, and Newhall, California
  • Quality is good
  • Prices are softening

• Central Mexico/Canada  
  • Central Mexican stocks (crossing through Texas) remain limited
  • The season in Eastern Canada is winding down; fall weather will slow production over the next one to two weeks

Carrots

Supply disruptions are anticipated for jumbo and cello-packed carrot supplies in multiple growing regions over the next three months. These supply disruptions stem from a combination of unexpected weather events. Jumbo carrots typically take 150-170 days to mature. California growers and processors are expected to reach adequate volume for small- and medium-size carrots; value-added packs such as baby peeled, coins, matchsticks, and shreds will meet demand.

California

• Unseasonably heavy rains brought on by Tropical Storm Hilary in August and September have delayed plantings
• These disruptions are expected to affect the supply chain in January and February 2024

Georgia

• Heavy rains brought on by Hurricane Idalia in late August and early September interrupted plantings
• These disruptions are expected to affect the supply chain in January 2024
• Expected to see normal production levels in mid-February 2024

Arizona

• Monsoons that swept through the desert growing regions in September have left significant crop damage
• While growers were able to replant, a gap is expected in the winter months of November and December

Michigan

• Excessive rainfall throughout July and August has impacted current harvests
• The region typically has a yearly average rainfall of 5 inches, but this year the region received over 30 inches
• Expected a supply gap over the next two to three months

Cauliflower

Cauliflower markets continue to escalate rapidly. Supplies are significantly tighter as quality challenges have reduced yields at the field level.

• Packer label is being substituted to fill orders
• Quality ranges from poor to fair due to erratic weather; discoloration, dark spotting, bracketed heads, leafy curds, and increasing insect pressure are affecting many lots
• Prices are expected to remain elevated for the next two to three weeks or until production transitions to desert growing regions
• Small-size packs (16-count supplies) will offer a small price advantage over 12- and 9-count packs as lots are being harvested earlier than scheduled to beat quality challenges

Cucumbers

Volume is falling in Baja, Mexico while growers transition to Central Mexico. New crop fall production is underway in the North Carolina and Georgia growing regions. MFC and ESS Cucumbers are available on the East Coast.

• Supplies are limited in Baja, Mexico as growers begin to transition to Sonora
  • Baja markets are on the rise; stocks are extremely limited
  • Light production has started in Central Mexico
  • Inclement weather caused by Hurricane Lidia will keep availability tight through October
• Domestic Northeastern growing regions are phasing out as fall weather sets in and growers transition south
  • Fall production has begun in North Carolina and Georgia
  • New crop volume is increasing weekly; markets are steady to slightly lower

Grapefruit

The Southern California Marsh Ruby grapefruit season is winding down. Expect tight supplies over the next two weeks days; Southern California Desert Ruby grapefruit harvesting has been delayed due to slow growth.

Southern California

• Marsh Ruby production is expected to wrap up by the end of the week
• Desert Rio harvesting will start by the week of October 23
• Expect tight supplies until the desert season begins in late October
• Low volume and elevated prices are anticipated for the next two weeks

Arizona/California Desert

• The season is expected to start in late October
• The Arizona/California growing region includes Brawley, California and Yuma, Arizona

Florida

• The season will begin in two weeks
• Expect size to be dominated by 48- and 56-count fruit
• Suppliers will only pack U.S. No. 1 grade fruit

South Texas

• The season will start in early November

Green Beans

East Coast green bean supplies are tightening as they transition south to weathered fields in Georgia. Demand will be shifting to California and Mexican grown beans to help fulfill East Coast orders.

• Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Trimmed Green Beans are available
• East Coast supply has transitioned to North Carolina and Georgia where production is slow to start
• Supply is limited due to Hurricane Idalia disrupting the planting cycle in late August
• The month of October will be challenging on the East Coast until Florida crops get underway in early November
• California regions of Fresno and Watsonville have good volume and new fields starting this week
• The Mexico growing region of Guanajuato has good volume and outstanding quality due to favorable weather conditions
• Expect higher prices on the East Coast during the month of October due to sourcing raw product from California and Mexico

Hurricane Lidia

Tropical Storm Lidia, predicted to turn into a hurricane later today, is traveling northeast in the Pacific Ocean and expected to make landfall late Tuesday between Mazatlán and Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. The brunt of the storm is forecast to travel south of the main growing region of Sinaloa which is currently in the planting phase for winter crops.

• The main growing regions of Sonora and Sinaloa should avoid direct cyclone impact; however, overcast and inclement weather is expected in southern regions
• Early tomato seedlings south of Culiacan are of concern; delays may occur if replanting is necessary
• Western and Central Mexico will experience heavy wind and precipitation this week, potentially disrupting labor and transportation routes
• Markon will continue to monitor and update as more information becomes available

Stringless Sugar Snap Peas

Prices remain elevated. Supplies are increasingly limited due to industrywide quality challenges. ‘Semi-stringless’ varieties may be substituted for better shelf-life, quality, and fill rates.

California – Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys

• End of season quality issues have arisen; cooler temperatures, shorter days, wind, and precipitation have reduced harvestable yields
• Heavy culling is hindering yields at the field level, reducing overall stocks
• External pitting, russeting, scarring, and water damage are prevalent, leading to shortened shelf-life
• Expect limited supplies as the season winds down over the next three to four weeks

Mexico – Mexicali/Sonora

• 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

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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