Asparagus

Prices remain elevated across multiple regions; large and jumbo sizes are limited.

Mexico

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Asparagus is available out of Baja, Mexico
• Production has ended in Central Mexico
• Baja will be the primary growing region through early October
• Growers will move to Sonora for the fall and winter seasons
• Hurricane Lorena is expected to drop heavy rainfall (5-15 inches) across Baja this weekend
  • Flash flooding and strong winds are anticipated
  • Fields in Sonora may also experience floods, disrupting plantings scheduled for late fall harvest
  • Growers will experience production delays and logistical disruptions as the storm passes through
• Standard and small sizes remain most abundant; large and jumbo spears are limited
• Expect elevated pricing until new growing regions ramp up post-storm

Peru

• Production is ramping up
• Growers are breaking into new, immature lots in Southern Peru
  • Yields are increasing
  • East Coast availability has improved as imported Peruvian product is shipped into U.S. ports
  • Small and standard sizes are most abundant
  • Large and jumbo packs are expected to increase as new fields mature
• Quality is fair, but will improve as new crop volume climbs

Bell Peppers

Red bell pepper prices are much lower. California supplies are increasing. Green bell pepper yields are abundant from multiple regions; markets are weak. MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Red Bells

• California’s volume is increasing as coastal harvests are well established
  • Hot weather has increased overall yields
  • All sizes are available
  • Quality is very good
• Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas) is shipping more consistent volume from new fields
• Stocks remain limited out of Eastern Canada due to past hot weather and plant disease issues
• Growers on the East Coast don’t produce a significant amount of colored peppers
  • Eastern demand continues for California field grown peppers
• Expect lower prices next week

Green Bells

• California’s coastal supply remains abundant; quality is very good
• Harvesting is steady in the Midwest regions of Michigan and Ohio
• Northeastern production is consistent; all sizes are available
• North Carolina will start harvesting in a couple of weeks
• Central Mexico volume is more consistent
• Expect continued low prices over the next two weeks

Broccoli

Prices are escalating rapidly; strong demand and growth challenges are decreasing overall supplies.

California

• Markon Best Available (MBA) Broccoli is being harvested in California’s Salinas Valley
• Supplies are limited in Monterey County (Salinas Valley) and Santa Barbara County (Santa Maria Valley and Lompoc Valley)
• A recent heat wave forced growers to harvest premature fields last week, causing supply gaps this week
• Quality ranges from fair to good; heat-related issues such as hollow core, yellow/brown bead, and branchy structure are being reported
• Insect pressure, from Diamondback moth pupa/larvae and aphids, remains a significant challenge and is expected to persist through the fall
• Regional harvests are winding down, pushing demand to the West Coast and further limiting supplies
• Expect markets to remain elevated for the next one to two weeks as supplies increase

Mexico

• Mexican-grown MBA Broccoli continues to ship into South Texas
• Pricing is high amid moderate demand and limited supplies
• High temperatures and tropical storms continue to affect quality; these weather conditions will persist in this region through the late fall
• Quality is fair; defects such as cat eye, hollow core, browning, and insect activity are being noted
• Expect relief in November as improved weather conditions will lead to stronger quality

East Coast/Midwest/Canada

• Hot, arid weather has stunted growth and affected yields in multiple growing regions
• Overall supplies are limited; Maine, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Eastern Canada are all experiencing lighter harvests

• Maine will reach peak production in September, then wind down through late October
• Growers in Georgia and Florida will begin harvesting in the late fall to offset Maine’s production ending
• Pricing will remain elevated heading into next week

Brussels Sprouts

Markets are climbing in the Salinas Valley amid higher temperatures and increased insect pressure. MFC and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are available.

• Diamondback moth pupae/larvae presence is increasing in fields throughout the Santa Maria Valley, shifting demand to the Salinas region
• Some Salinas Valley suppliers are underplanted at this point in the season, causing a demand-exceeds-supply situation
• Warm weather through the fall is expected to worsen pest presence, further limiting supplies
• Domestic production in the Salinas Valley, Castroville, Santa Maria, and Oxnard will run into early winter, before growers move to Mexico
• Expect higher prices over the next 10-14 days and low volume through mid-September

California Strawberries

Prices are climbing as the Salinas/Watsonville season winds down and growers transition to the Santa Maria region.

Santa Maria

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Supplies continue to increase; sufficient volume is expected in the next 10-14 days
• Fruit size is large, with counts in the mid- to upper teens per one-pound clamshell
• Overall quality is firm with occasional white shoulders and misshapen berries
• Expect higher pricing for new crop berries

Salinas/Watsonville

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Stocks continue to diminish as the season is past its peak
• Size currently ranges from small to medium (20- to 24-count per one-pound clamshell)
• Quality is good; some softness and early decay have been reported

Citrus

Small California Valencia oranges, sized 113- and 138-count, are tightening. The 165- through 200-count lemon market remains elevated due to low volume and strong demand.

Oranges

• MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Valencia Oranges are available
• Supplies are dominated by large sizes (56- to 88-count); smaller sizes (113- to 138-count) are limited
• Expect 113- and 138-count oranges to become scarce as more school systems open across North America
• Quality is good; scarring and soft skin are being reported
• Expect steady yet elevated markets and limited supplies of small fruit through early October

Lemons

• MFC and ESS Lemons are available  
• Small sizes (165- through 235-count fruit) remain limited
• Quality is good; early decay and scarring are being reported
• Elevated pricing is forecast for the next six weeks

Lemons

Lemon prices will continue to rise for the next four weeks due to low volume and strong demand across all growing regions.

Domestic

• MFC and ESS Lemons are available  
• Small sizes (165- through 235-count) remain limited
• Expect to make Country of Origin substitutions to fill orders
• Quality is average; brown spotting, early decay, and scarring are being reported
• Quality will improve when growers start harvesting new crop fruit in three weeks
• Elevated pricing is forecast for the next four weeks

Offshore

• Offshore fruit from Argentina and Chile will be shipped into North America through early December
• Shipments are down as much as 50% this year compared to last due to fears of low pricing and the impact of tariffs
• Size will be dominated by large lemons (95- to 140-count stocks); smaller sizes will be available as well
• Expect higher pricing (compared to domestic and Mexican fruit) due to strong quality

Mexican

• Mexican shipments have started and will run through late November
• These supplies will help fill the demand not met by California lemons
• Sizing will be dominated by 165- to 235-count fruit; larger sizes will also be available
• Quality is good; scarring is being reported
• Expect pricing to be comparable to domestic fruit

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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