Avocados

Rain and thunderstorms across Michoacán, Mexico are causing short-term harvesting disruptions; however, overall avocado supplies remain available. Market conditions are expected to remain steady, with weather-related harvest and shipping delays representing the primary near-term challenge.

Mexico

• Weather remains the primary factor influencing market conditions and harvest activity
• Supplies are expected to remain adequate, although intermittent weather-related shipping delays may occur
• Large-size fruit continues to command a premium, while smaller counts remain more competitively priced
• Quality is generally holding steady, although wet field conditions may require increased quality management as growers work through harvest interruptions
• Market pricing is stable overall, with larger sizes maintaining stronger value

California

• The California harvest is approximately 95% complete; weekly volume will decline through the rest of the season
• The crop remains heavily weighted toward larger sizes, with 48-count fruit representing 32% of pack out
  • 60-count supplies account for 10% of shipments
  • 70-count stocks make up 5% of orders
• Mexican fruit will supplement domestic supplies as needed to fill orders and maintain consistent availability

Peru

• This season is nearing completion, with final containers currently in transit and expected to arrive over the coming weeks
• The remaining inventory is primarily concentrated in 40-count and larger fruit
• Most supplies are largely committed to existing programs, although limited spot opportunities may be available depending on pricing and inventory positions

California Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons

The California season is winding down. Markon First Crop (MFC) Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons are available.

Cantaloupe

San Joaquin Valley, California

• Volumes are gradually declining as cooler nighttime temperatures slow crop growth.
• Some fields have been negatively impacted by disease and insect pressure
• The cantaloupe size profile remains balanced, with all sizes currently available
• Minor quality issues are present, such as scarring and bruising
• The California Central Valley season is expected to conclude in two to three weeks
• Harvesting in the Arizona-California Desert region is scheduled to begin the week of October 12 for the Fall season
• Markets are expected to remain steady this week but may firm slightly as the industry transitions between growing regions

Honeydew

San Joaquin Valley, California

• Like cantaloupe, volume is declining for honeydew
• Five-count is most available, while eight- and nine-count are limited
• Quality is fair to good with discoloration occasionally present
• Honeydew production in California’s Central Valley is expected to conclude within the next two weeks before harvests commence in the Arizona-California Desert region
• Mexican-grown honeydews are expected to become more readily available within the next one to two weeks, helping offset the decline in domestic production
• As California supplies continue to tighten, markets are expected to strengthen over the coming weeks until additional volume becomes available in mid-October

Cucumbers

Cucumber markets are increasing as production in the Northeast and Midwest ends and Mexico transitions growing regions in October. Markon First Crop Cucumbers are available.

• Mexican supplies remain tight due to lighter yields caused by recent weather and seasonal production transitions
  • Growers in Mexico are adjusting harvesting schedules this week in preparation for Hurricane Polo
• Midwest and Northeast production is winding down and is expected to conclude next week.
• Georgia production is underway with good supply and quality
• Eastern Canada, Long English greenhouse cucumber supplies remain limited
• Expect modest price increases this week due to lower yields and stronger demand

Grapefruit

Grapefruit supplies are expected to remain extremely limited over the coming weeks, as demand continues to outpace available volume. Market conditions are not expected to improve until new production from Mexico, South Texas, and California’s Central Valley begins entering the market in mid- to late October

California

• The season is winding down in District 2 (Southern California)
• Size and grade substitutions will be necessary to fill orders
• California D1 (Central Valley) production is expected to begin in late October
• Expect extremely limited supplies and sizing options over the next three weeks

South Texas

• The season is expected to begin in late October and run through April

Mexico

• The season will begin in late October and run through March

Florida

• The season will begin in September and run through June

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Decreased yields continue to push up all lettuce prices. Iceberg is by far the most active market; green leaf and romaine markets are inching up at slower rates. Markon First Crop (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 being found in many lots
• Disease pressure, including INSV and Sclerotinia, persists; percentages of impacted heads vary from lot to lot

Huron, California

• Production is expected to begin in mid-October

Mexico (crossing into Texas)

• Production continues year-round

New Mexico

• Las Cruces harvests are scheduled to start the week of October 5 and ramp up the following week
• Early season rains wiped out 10-15% of total plantings; romaine is forecast as the most limited lettuce this fall season (through late November)

Northeastern Canada and USA

• Harvests will run through early October
• Iceberg quality has varied greatly from week to week; green leaf and romaine quality is more consistent

Oranges

Prices are elevated. Availability is tight for both imported and domestic oranges as both seasons wind down through mid-October. Quality is a major concern throughout the industry, with imported fruit continuing to outperform domestic supplies. To maintain the best available quality, Cara Cara oranges are being substituted for offshore Navels.

Domestic

• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Valencia Oranges are available
• Supplies are dominated by large sizes (56- to 88-count pieces); smaller sizes (113- to 138-count oranges) are extremely tight
• Expect 113- and 138-count oranges to remain scarce through October; size, grade, and country of origin substitutions will be needed to fill orders
• Previous wet weather has caused quality problems, such as decay, puffing, and creasing, in current supplies
  • Fruit may appear sound at packing but can begin breaking down days later
  • Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Expect elevated markets and limited supplies of all small fruit through mid-October

Imports

• Chilean, South African, and Peruvian oranges are being imported on both coasts
• Expect extremely tight supplies of 105- to 113-count oranges for the rest of the season
• Quality is great
  • Color is deep orange and skin texture is smooth
  • Sugar levels range from 12-13% Brix
• Prices will continue climbing until the season ends

Potatoes

Markon First Crop (MFC) Potatoes are available from Idaho and Washington. New crop harvests continue in Idaho, Washington, Colorado, and Wisconsin. Markets for larger 40-through 70-count sizes remain elevated.

Idaho

• New crop MFC Norkotah Potatoes are available
• New crop harvests will continue through mid-to-late October before transitioning to storage supplies
• Larger 40-through 70-count sizes remain limited, commanding higher prices
• Average to slightly below-average yields, combined with strong processor demand, are contributing to tighter market conditions this season
• New crop Burbank harvests are underway and expected to be available in early October after having gone through the sweat to set skins
• Quality is good, and prices are steady

Washington

• New crop MFC Norkotah Potatoes are available
• A good range of sizes is available, though strong demand for larger 40- through 50-count sizes is keeping markets elevated.
• Quality is good, and prices are steady

Wisconsin

• New crop harvests are continuing; growers expect to finish harvests in mid-October before loading from storage supplies
• Suppliers report a good range of sizing
• Quality is good, and prices are steady

Colorado

• New crop harvests are underway, expected to finish in the next 1-2 weeks before loading from storage
• Suppliers report a good range of sizing
• Quality is good, and prices are steady

Stone Fruit

The California stone fruit season is coming to an end.

Peaches

• Domestic peach supplies are expected to finish the week of October 5th
  • Quality remains good, with sugar levels ranging from 12 to 14 Brix
  • The Chilean peach season is expected to begin the week of October 5th
  • Expect elevated pricing as the market transitions to imported Chilean fruit

Plums

• Domestic plum supplies are expected to finish over the next 7 to 10 days
  • Quality remains good, with sugar levels ranging from 11 to 14 Brix
  • The Chilean plum season has begun
  • Expect elevated pricing as the market transitions to imported Chilean fruit

Nectarines

• California season has ended
  • Import season expected to begin in late November

Strawberries

Following a period of mild temperatures, a warming trend is forecast from October 2 through October 8, with daytime highs expected to reach the 80s across key growing regions. The prolonged heat is anticipated 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.

Watsonville/Salinas

• Size is medium; counts range from 24-28 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell
• Quality is fair; pin rot, odd shape, bruising, and soft skin have been called out
• Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Expect the heat to increase prices

Santa Maria, California 

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available
• Size is medium; 20-24 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell
• Quality ranges from fair to good; light bruising and odd shape are possible issues
• Volume levels have increased
• Expect prices to climb

Oxnard, California

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Size is medium; 21-24 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell
• Quality is good; white shoulders and light bruising have been reported
• Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Expect the upcoming heat to increase markets

Tomatoes

Prices are trending higher. East Coast tomato production is lighter than anticipated this week, while West Coast supplies continue to tighten as California production winds down. Mexican availability remains limited due to seasonal transitions and lingering impacts from Hurricane Polo, further constraining overall supply.

Rounds

• East Coast and Midwest
  • Virginia production is lighter than expected this week; projections for next week are low
  • Tennessee production continues, with volume decreasing
    • Georgia production is expected to start with very light volumes next week; limited volume is expected until mid-October
  • Michigan production is winding down; potential freeze conditions are expected early next week
  • Quality is good
  • Expecting elevated markets over the next few weeks
• Mexico
  • Supplies remain light to moderate; quality is mixed
  • Hurricane Polo caused heavy rain, flooding, and transportation disruptions in parts of Baja California Sur and Sonora; growers are assessing fields this week
  • Markets are firming as weather disruptions and seasonal transitions limit near-term supply
• California
  • Volume is uneven and lighter as production transitions south
  • Northern programs will wind down through October, tightening overall availability
  • Quality is generally good, but sizing and availability vary by shipper
  • Expect gradual upward price pressure as California supplies decline

Romas

• East Coast
  • Tennessee supplies continue with the season winding down
  • Overall quality is good
  • Expect markets to increase over the next couple of weeks
• Mexico
  • Volumes remain light to moderate; recent weather may cause short-term harvest and loading delays
  • Quality is fair to good by district
  • Markets are expected to increase over the next two weeks
• California
  • Production is tapering as crops transition farther south
  • Quality is generally good, but availability will tighten as northern programs finish

Grape and Cherry

• East Coast
  • Lighter supplies expected over the next couple of weeks
  • Slightly stronger markets are anticipated
• Mexico
  • Supplies remain limited across grape and cherry tomatoes
  • New October acreage should gradually improve availability
  • Quality is fair to good
  • Wet-field and transportation issues may create short-term delays

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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