California Strawberries

Expect elevated prices and tight supplies over the next two weeks as fields recover from recent rainstorms.

Santa Maria/Oxnard

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available
• Growers continue culling rain-damaged fruit, slowing production and lowering yields

• Quality is currently good; rain will decrease overall quality, causing white shoulders and bruising
• Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Expect tight supplies and elevated markets for the next two weeks

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

Mexico/South Texas

• New crop harvesting is expected to start in mid-November
• Product will cross into South Texas

Cilantro

Cilantro markets are rising amid heavy rains and intermittent heat on the West Coast

• Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Cilantro is available
• Recent temperature fluctuations and rain have delayed some harvests and elevated insect and mildew pressure in Oxnard and Salinas, California
• Wet weather will reduce yields and lead to increased dirt/mud in field-packed items
• Quality is fair; rain followed by a moderate warming trend will result in minor heat stress and possible mildew, reducing shelf-life
• Markets are anticipated to move higher as slightly above-average temperatures return through the weekend

Green Cabbage

Green cabbage prices are elevated following warmer weather and increasing insect pressure.

California

• Cabbage supply is meeting demand
• Hot weather earlier in September reduced yields and caused quality issues
• Insect and disease pressure have worsened, further reducing availability for processors and driving up market pricing
• Quality is fair; discoloration and insect damage are being reported
• Production in the Arizona/California desert region will begin in late November/early December
• Expect elevated prices for the next 10-14 days at a minimum

Midwest/East Coast

• Regional shipments from Michigan, New York, and Ohio will wind down through October and end by early November
• Overall quality is good
• North Carolina will start harvesting at the end of October, followed by Georgia in mid-November
• Winter production will start in Florida in early December

Texas/Mexico

• Imported supplies from Central Mexico continue to cross into South Texas with generally lower pricing
• The domestic South Texas season will begin in late November/early December
• Overall quality is good

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Iceberg markets are rising quickly as most California growers have canceled harvests today due to rain. Green leaf and romaine prices are slightly higher; some harvests have been placed on hold.

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Premium Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces are available; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being subbed sporadically when weights don’t meet specifications
• Current quality is good, but expected to decline following today’s rain, coupled with recent heat in Salinas and Santa Maria, California
  • Bottom rot, fluctuating densities, insect pressure, mildew, and seeder are being reported, but avoided or mitigated at harvest
  • Disease pressure is forecast to increase in upcoming lots over the next three to four weeks; yields are expected to decline
• Overall demand has been moderate, but today’s curtailed harvests have strengthened fresh pack and processor demand
• Expect higher iceberg pricing this week and into next week; green leaf and romaine are forecast to continue inching up next week

Idaho Potatoes

Markon First Crop (MFC) Idaho Burbank and Norkotah Potatoes are available. Markets will remain low over the next 7-10 days but are expected to firm up the week of October 6, when most of the season’s harvesting will be completed.

• Exceptional growing conditions, along with increased efficiencies, have resulted in ample supplies for the upcoming storage season
• Initial harvests have resulted in a good volume of large-size 40- and 50-count potatoes; good mixer volume is expected on all sizes
• Fresh run Burbanks are available in limited quantities; most suppliers will place them into storage to go through the sweat process and be available for shipping in November and December
• Rain is forecast next week, slowing harvesting, but markets are expected to remain low with ample supply coming from the fields
• Approximately 90% of harvests will finish by October 3
• Expect firm pricing the week of October 6 when all potatoes go into storage

Mixed Berries

Blueberry production is coming to an end in the Pacific Northwest. Limited quantities of new crop Peruvian and Mexican stocks are available.

Blackberries

• Mexican supplies have begun to rebound from recent humidity
  • Quality remains fair
  • Heat-related issues are present from past weather patterns

• Over-ripen berries and decay are being reported

• The Watsonville fall season has started; quality is outstanding
• Expect markets to remain steady

Blueberries

• The Mexican season has been slowed by rains and cooler weather

• Oregon production has officially ended; the Washington and British Columbia seasons will finish in the next week

• Peruvian shipments are now arriving to bridge this gap
• Expect markets to remain steady

Raspberries

• Mexican quality is fair
• California’s Santa Maria and Watsonville growing regions are shipping high-quality berries
• Mexico’s Baja season is underway; quality is very good
• Expect markets to remain steady

Squash

Markets are low; Markon First Crop (MFC) Zucchini and Yellow Squash are available.

• Midwest production is expected to end over the next two to three weeks
• Heavy volumes in North Carolina and Georgia are driving prices down; quality is very good
• California’s Santa Maria and San Joaquin Valley growing regions have lighter production due to rain, but quality is good overall
• The Baja Peninsula has steady volume crossing into Otay Mesa
• Expect steady to slightly higher prices over the next week due to lower temperatures

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

©2025 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.