Broccoli

Markets are on the rise as unfavorable weather and persistent quality challenges reduce yields.

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 and Lompoc Valley)
• Hot, humid weather coupled with intermittent storms have disrupted growth and hampered quality
• Quality is average; pin rot, yellow/brown bead, and occasional hollow core are present in most lots
• Diamondback moth pupa/larvae and aphids continue to infiltrate fields and minimize yields
• Regional harvests are winding down, pushing demand to the West Coast and further limiting supplies
• Expect prices to remain elevated for the next one to two weeks

Mexico

• Mexican-grown MBA Broccoli continues to ship into South Texas
• Prices are trending lower due to minimal demand in this region
• Warmer weather and tropical storms continue to prolong quality issues; these conditions will persist through the late fall
• Quality is fair; defects such as cat eye, hollow core, browning, and insect activity are present
• Expect relief in November as improved weather conditions will lead to stronger quality

East Coast/Midwest/Canada

• Overall quality and supplies out of Maine are strong; supply issues on the West have increased demand
• North Carolina is helping in a limited manner; Indiana supplies will supplement in early October
• Growers in Georgia and Florida will begin harvesting in the late fall/early winter to offset the end of the Maine season
• Expect a lift in prices this week due to the increasing demand out East

California Strawberries

The strawberry market is on the rise due to humid weather in all growing regions affecting quality.

Santa Maria/Oxnard

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available
• Growers continue culling rain-damaged fruit, leading to lower yields and slowed production

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

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 fair; some softness and early decay have been reported
• Maintaining the cold chain will be vital for shelf-life; Markon recommends ordering for quick turns
• Expect tight supplies and elevated markets

Mexico/South Texas

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

Cauliflower

Markets are on the rise as poor weather on the West Coast limits yields. Markon Essentials (ESS) Cauliflower is limited.

Salinas and Santa Maria, California

• Supplies are tightening as warmer weather coupled with intermittent storms have disrupted growth
• Quality ranges from fair to good; discoloration, brown bead, mold, and mildew are increasing issues
• Insect damage from Diamondback moth pupa/larvae has increased
• Expect prices to rise this week as demand exceeds supply

East Coast/Midwest/Canada

• Overall quality and supplies out of Maine are strong; supply issues on the West have increased demand
• Several summertime deals are winding down on the East Coast and in Eastern Canada
• Supplies in North Carolina, New York, and Indiana will ramp up in October
• Production in Georgia and Florida will begin in the late fall/early winter
• Expect sufficient supplies and softer prices through the month of September

Citrus

Small-sized oranges (113- through 138-count fruit) remain extremely limited due to scarce supplies and strong demand. Prices for small lemons are elevated due to tight stocks and strong demand. Suppliers are holding to six-week averages for both oranges and lemons.

Oranges

• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Valencia Oranges are available
• Overall supplies will be limited the first two weeks of October
• Small-sized oranges (113- through 138-count fruit) are extremely tight
• Size and grade substitutions may be needed to fill orders
• New crop California Navels will begin shipping in late October
• Expect increasing markets and scarce supplies through mid-October

Lemons

• MFC and ESS Lemons are available  
• Small-sized lemons (165- through 235-count supplies) remain limited
• Size and/or country of origin changes may be needed to help fill orders
• Offshore and Mexican stocks continue to help fill shortages on the West Coast
• New crop California lemons will begin shipping in mid-October
• Expect tight stocks and elevated markets through mid-October

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Iceberg markets continue to escalate as quality, weight, and yields have been reduced in the Salinas Valley. Green leaf and romaine markets are higher as well. Industry-wide quality challenges are increasing.

• Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted due to low weights
• Quality is challenged in most lots following high temperatures, rain, and lingering humidity
  • Bottom rot, fluctuating densities, insect pressure, mildew, ribby frames, seeder are being reported
  • Disease pressure continues to decrease yields, although not as significantly as in prior seasons
• Demand for fresh pack and processor acreage is increasing due to lower weights and fewer yields
  • Commodity and value-added trigger levels will be met this week
  • This week’s government shutdown is a concern, as the USDA plays an integral role in the fresh produce industry
• Expect markets to continue climbing and remain elevated through the transition to the Arizona/California desert season in mid-November

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

©2025 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.