Asparagus

Markon First Crop (MFC) Asparagus is available; large sizes remain limited.

Mexico

• Production is fully underway in Central Mexico; yields are increasing
  • Quality is improving; stalks are exhibiting tight tips and straight stalks
  • Expect steady supplies through July and into August before stocks begin to tighten
• Tropical storms and Hurricane Beryl didn’t affect crops; the storm tracked north of the major growing regions in and around Guanajuato
• Sufficient supplies of standard and large sizes are available
  • Jumbo and small sizes are scarce
  • Baja stocks are also available, but quality has ranges from fair to poor (with more reports of seeder/feathery tips)
• High prices are expected to persist another two to three weeks into late July

Other Regions

• The domestic seasons in California, Michigan, the Pacific Northwest, and Eastern Canada have wrapped up
• Peruvian asparagus (shipped into Miami) remains available on the East Coast; size is small amid lower temperatures in the southern hemisphere

Avocados

Avocado harvesting, packing, and shipping operations have returned to normal in Michoacan, Mexico.

• Inventories remain low
  • Michoacan received rain over the last week
  • Mexico is entering the rainy season
  • Lower normal crop yields are forecast
  • The rain will help increase the size of Loca crop supplies which begin shipping in two weeks
• California and Peruvian stocks will be shipped to help fill the void but will not meet U.S. demand
• Size, grade, and Country of Origin substitutions may be requested to fill orders
• Expect markets to stabilize and slowly decline in late July

Bell Peppers

Bell pepper supplies are snug due to recent heat waves across the country. Demand has increased and markets are elevated. MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green Bell Peppers are available; MFC and ESS Red Bell Peppers are limited.

Green Bells

• California’s recent heat wave (110F +) slowed production and overall yields in Fresno area
  • Quality is good and all sizes are available
  • The Hollister growing region will start July 22
• North Carolina’s recent high temperatures has reduced production and accelerated fruit ripening process
  • Quality is average with suntan colors prevalent
• Smaller regional deals in Kentucky and New Jersey are underway with light volume
• Ohio and Michigan regional deals will start over the next 7-10 days
• Expect elevated markets the next 10 days until new northern growing regions (Michigan, Ohio, Canada) are well established

Red Bells

• California experienced 10 days of very hot temperatures (+110F) which accelerated the ripening process, supplies are limited
  • Extra time is being spent in the packing houses to grade out softer fruit
  • Quality is average, over ripeness and blossom rot has been observed by production crews
• Canadian greenhouse supply is seeing some improvement however overall volume is down this year due to disease concerns/pull crops
• Central Mexico has steady light volume; expect better volume when new crops start at the end of July
• Markon recommends quick inventory turns at this time
• Expect continued elevated prices over the next two weeks

Broccoli

MFC Premium Broccoli is available in Salinas, California; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being packed in Central Mexico (loading in South Texas).

• Markets are steady amid strong demand even as supplies are available across multiple growing areas
• East Coast regions including Quebec, Ontario, Maine, New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and the Carolinas will be harvested throughout the summer
• Santa Maria and Salinas prices peaked last week and are expected to fall through the next two weeks; aesthetic defects like branchy crown structure, hollow cores, and yellowing are minor but forecast to increase due to recent heatwave conditions
• Mexican-grown supplies (crossing into South Texas) are stable as well, with stronger quality being reported as cooler weather sets into the region; prices are comparable to those out of California
• Expect markets to remain steady this week before declining as domestic/local yields pick up and then as West Coast acreage increases into the late summer months

Brussels Sprouts

• MFC and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are available
• The Mexican season is ending; supplies are nearly depleted
• California’s Oxnard and Santa Maria seasons are underway; Salinas Valley production is just getting started
• Size is dominated by medium and small sprouts
  • Remaining Mexican supplies are being harvested ahead of scheduled maturity dates in order to finish remaining acres and avoid pest and heat-related issues
  • Domestic stocks are being harvested earlier than scheduled to meet demand
• Quality concerns are on the rise due to small size, including puffy texture, bitter taste (seeder), and heavy insect pressure in Mexico
• Prices are forecast to ease gradually throughout the next two to three weeks as harvesting begins to transition north

Cabbage

Abnormally high temperatures and a dry weather pattern have created a shortage of cabbage supplies along the Eastern Seaboard.

New Jersey

• Plant maturity has been slowed due to temperatures exceeding 90 degrees over the past two weeks, creating smaller sized cabbage heads

North Carolina

• Dry and hot weather with temperatures in the mid- to high 90s is creating a gap between growing season from Eastern North Carolina into Western North Carolina
• Rain is forecasted next week, helping to increase maturity, size, and yields

New York

• The season has started in a limited manner; supply relief can be expected as volume increases
• Typical summer weather patterns can be expected through the rest of the month

Quality and Pricing

• Quality is normal for this time of year; smaller size profile has reduced yields
• Prices are elevated but are expected to remain steady into next week until supplies start increasing, pushing pricing downward

From the Fields: Heat Related Quality Issues

Much of the West Coast, including, California’s Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys, have been experiencing an extended heat spike over the past week with temperatures ranging from the 70°s to 80°s near the coast to as high as 110° in the southern end of the Salinas Valley. All row crop vegetables that have been exposed to these temperatures are expected to exhibit varying levels of heat-related quality and shelf-life concerns over the next two weeks.

In general, most commodity and value-added supplies have fared better than expected thus far, but some lettuce and tender leaf crops are showing defects such as:

• Dehydration
• Increased insect pressure
• Internal burn/tip burn
• Reduced shelf-life potential
• Weakened texture
• Yellowing leaves

Markon inspectors are aggressively monitoring quality through pre-harvest inspections and finished product evaluations of commodity and value-added items. Fields that are exhibiting elevated issues are being rejected and harvesting/processing crews are taking steps to remove damaged leaves and minimize defects.

Ordering for quick turns is recommended. It remains critical to adhere to strict cold chain management throughout distribution to the end-user level in order to maximize quality and shelf-life of perishable produce items.

Oranges

California small size Valencias are tightening. Imported Navel volumes will increase over the next two to three weeks as the Chilean and South African seasons begin.

California

• MFC and ESS California Valencia Oranges are available
• Supplies are dominated by large sizes (56- to 88-count packs); smaller sizes (113- to 138-count packs) are very limited

• Prolonged heat in California’s San Joaquin Valley has caused what is called re-greening in oranges (see attached flyer)
• Initial reports project California Navels will begin shipping in mid- to late October
• Expect steady elevated markets and very limited supplies on all small fruit through early October

Chile

• Chilean fruit is being imported into both the East and West Coast

• Supplies are increasing week over week
• Quality is great; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
• Supplies will be dominated by larger packs

South Africa

• South African fruit is being imported into the East Coast
• Supplies are increasing week over week
• Quality is great; sugar levels range from 10-14 Brix
• There is limited availability of 105- to 125-count packs

Pineapple

Costa Rican and Mexican pineapple supplies are limited.

• Supplies have tightened due to
  • The current crop’s season winding down and new crop starting up
  • Costa Rica receiving heavy rains from several Tropical storms and the indirect effects for Hurricane Beryl
• Shipping containers are arriving late in North America due to storms slowing deliveries into North America
• Expect demand to remain tight for the next 10 days

Potatoes, Red and Yellow

MFC Red and Yellow Potato supplies are tightening; the market is rising.

Idaho

• MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes will ship through early August
• Six-week averages will be implemented to extend storage supplies
• Prices are rising; volume is low
• New crop stocks will become available mid-August

Arizona & Texas

• Red and yellow potatoes will ship through July

Minnesota & Washington

• New crop red and yellow potatoes will start the first week of August

Wisconsin

• New crop harvesting of MFC Wisconsin Potatoes will begin in early August

Squash

Zucchini and yellow squash production is scattered across the East Coast, as local summer regional programs get underway. Western stocks are available, but tightening.

• East Coast growers are harvesting in multiple areas, including Michigan, New Jersey, and New York
  • Quality varies by region; New Jersey is working through some heat- and rain-related concerns
  • Smaller deals have popped up in Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Washington State (amongst others)
• Volume is low but steady in Baja, Mexico
• California’s Santa Maria supplies are limited as growers transition to new summer acreage this week
• San Joaquin Valley stocks are scarce after 10 days of extreme heat
• East Coast prices are steady, while West Coast markets are up slightly

Strawberries

The strawberry market is erratic. Yields are down as the Santa Maria and Salinas/Watsonville seasons have passed their peaks. Temperatures are expected to drop from recent high levels. Color is darker than normal due to the heat, but overall quality remains good.

Santa Maria, California

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Quality is good
• Size ranges from 20-25 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell and 40-45 in 4/2-pound pack (small to medium)

• Occasional light scarring and a few white shoulders are being reported

• Expect markets to slowly decline

Salinas/Watsonville, California  

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Quality is good; expect full color and sweet flavor
• Size is currently 15-19 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell and 32-37 in 4/2-pound pack (medium to large)
• Fanning, misshaped berries, and light mildew are being reported
• Expect markets to slowly decline

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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