Asparagus

Markon First Crop Asparagus (MFC) is available; markets for larger sizes remain elevated.

Mexico

• Production is nearly entirely finished down in Central Mexico
  • Yields will continue decreasing throughout August
  • Quality is below average
  • Stalks are exhibiting elevated levels of spread tips and seeder
• Baja production will continue through October
  • Quality is better due to less persistent heat than Central Mexico
  • Sufficient supplies of standard and large sizes are available, but larger sizes are tighter
• High prices are expected to persist another two to three weeks at minimum amid light supplies and transitioning growing regions

Peru

• Peruvian asparagus (shipped into Miami) remains available on the East Coast; yields are low but will increase as southern hemisphere enters their spring season and temperatures increase

Broccoli

MFC Broccoli is being shipped in Salinas, California; Markon Best Available is being packed in Mexico (into South Texas).

• Markets are steady but elevated amid high demand as supplies increase out west and remain steady, if snug in Mexico
• Varying levels of pin rot, branching, and yellowing persist but are decreasing in prevalence out of both California and Mexico
• Regionally grown volume is very light, with Indiana wrapped up and Georgia being the next to come online in mid-late September
• Mexican-grown product (crossing into South Texas) is available at an FOB cost savings, hollow core defects from high heat are decreasingly an issue
• Expect prices to fall slightly in early September, then range from steady to lower through late September as acreage increases in California

Cauliflower

Expect elevated prices this week; markets should ease over the next two weeks as volumes rise. Markon Essentials (ESS) Cauliflower is available; packer label is being substituted as necessary.

Salinas

• Overall demand is strong, keeping Salinas Valley supplies fairly limited
• Weeks of consistent heat increased growth quickly, forcing growers to cut ahead of schedule and causing the current deficit of product

Santa Maria

• Supplies are ample and can be substituted for Salinas shortages
• Quality is good; minimal defects are being found in the fields

Cilantro

Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Washed & Trimmed Cilantro is available.

• Volume is on the rise as multiple growing regions are in play
• Quality concerns across Southern and Central California (Oxnard, Santa Maria, and Salinas Valley) are decreasing in prevalence
  • Sporadic occurrence of thick stems, wide leaves, seeder/bolting, damaged, yellow, and spotted leaves remain issues
• Cooler weather around the start of September will further help to improve quality
• Expect prices to remain relatively steady amid strong supplies through the first two weeks of September

Cucumbers

Cucumber yields are tightening as growers are in the last stages of harvesting summer crops. Markets are rising.

• The New Jersey and New York summer growing regions will wind down over the next two weeks
• The Michigan season will continue through September
• The Eastern North Carolina autumn season started this week
• Volume has fallen in Baja and Central Mexico
  • Growers are transitioning to new fields
  • Quality is average for the last of the older crops
• Expect higher prices over the next two weeks during these seasonal transitions

Green Onions
Green onion prices remain elevated, and supplies remain tight following persistent heat and sporadic thunderstorms that wiped out mature supplies in the primary growing region of Mexicali, Mexico.

• RSS Washed & Trimmed Green Onions are available; packer label may be substituted when supplies do not meet Markon specifications

• Yields were reduced by fast-moving storm systems that wiped out many mature lots in early August

• Persistent heat has slowed the growth of younger plantings, keeping industry supplies limited

• Demand is strong for long-top green onions; stocks will tighten by the week’s end
• Ordering for quick turns is recommended through the rest of August, as stressed plants will have decreased shelf-life potential
• Expect markets to remain elevated for the next three weeks, as younger plantings mature and supplier inventories increase

Limes

Persistent rains are reducing harvests and impacting quality in Veracruz, Mexico; prices are rising. MFC and Markon ESS Limes are available. 

Veracruz, Mexico

• Rain is reducing harvests in the main growing region of Veracruz
• Supplies are dominated by large-size 110- to 150-count limes; small stocks (200- to 250-count fruit) are limited
• Quality is declining
  • Stylar, oil spotting, and skin decay are occasional issues
  • Shorter shelf-life may also become a factor due to thinner skins and higher juice content
• The next bloom set will be ready for harvest by the second week of October, barring any extreme weather events
• Expect markets to rise over the next two weeks
• Markon recommends placing orders with increased lead time to avoid loading delays

Santander, Colombia

• Limes are available for loading out of Florida
• Prices are comparable to those in Mexico (loading in South Texas)

• Quality is good; occasional scarring is being seen during grading
• Expect markets to rise over the next two weeks as demand strengthens

Mixed Berries

Blueberry supplies will be limited through August and September; expect rising prices and tightening supplies over the next month. Blackberry and raspberry stocks have stabilized.

Blueberries

• Mexican supplies are sufficient
• Demand is steady
• Quality is good
• Pacific Northwest volume has peaked
• Offshore shipments are limited
• Expect rising markets for the next month

Blackberries

• California supplies are insufficient
• Quality is fair; soft skins and red cells have been reported
• Pacific Northwest supplies are limited due to wet weather
• Prices will remain steady

Raspberries

• Volume is starting to rise in Baja, Mexico
• Quality is fair
• Demand is steady; prices are trending downward

Oranges

The California Valencia crop is dominated by large sizes (56- and 72-count pieces); small fruit (88- and 138-count oranges) remains limited. With many schools seasons underway and many more starting in the coming weeks, small-size fruit will become extremely scarce. Size, grade, and Country of Origin substitutions will be necessary to fill orders.

California

• MFC and ESS Valencia Oranges are available
• Supplies are dominated by large sizes (56- to 72-count pieces); smaller sizes (88- to 138-count oranges) are limited
• Expect 88- to 138-count oranges to become extremely scarce as more school seasons get underway
• Size, grade, and Country of Origin substitutions will be necessary to fill orders
• Quality is good; sugar levels range from 11-14 Brix
• Initial reports project California Navels will begin shipping in mid- to late October
• Expect elevated markets and extremely limited supplies of all small fruit through early October

Chile

• Oranges are being imported into both the East and West Coasts
• Expect 88- to 113-count oranges to become tight over the next two to three weeks

• Quality is great; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
• Small-size offshore fruit is an option for domestic shortages

Pears

The California pear season is in full swing with availability through October. New crop Bartlett pear harvesting started in the Northwest this week. Overall volume is projected to be lower than in past years and dominated by larger sizes; expect elevated markets.

California

• The Sacramento River area’s Bartlett season has ended have
• Lake County and Mendocino growing regions are in full swing; production should go through October
• Initial estimates predict 20% lower volume than last year
• Processor demand (canning) is down, allowing more availability for the fresh market
• California suppliers ship 36-pound volume-fill packs; Washington suppliers use 44-pound cartons packed by count
• Due to this pack difference, California ships approximately six to ten fewer pieces of fruit per unit compared to Washington

Oregon/Washington

• Due to freezing spring temperatures, 2024 Northwest volume is down approximately 30%

• Most damage occurred in the Wenatchee District North where yields are down as much as 60%
• Yakima South was not hit as hard and is estimated to be 12% lower than last year

• Expect tight supplies of 110-count and smaller fruit; 80- to 100-count sizes will dominate these crops
• Suppliers pack and sell by the count as opposed to the volume-fill method used in California

Barlett Variety

• Harvesting has begun and will run into January 2025
• This will account for 30% of Washington’s crop
• Volume is forecast to be 18% lower than last year

D’Anjou Variety

• The season will begin in early September and run through June 2025

• This will account for 50% of Washington’s crop

• Yields are expected to be 26% lower than last year

Red and Yellow Potatoes

New crop, fresh-run MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available in Idaho, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Expect soft markets through the next few weeks.

Idaho & Wisconsin

• New crop production has ramped up
• Early harvests have yielded large-sized potatoes

Michigan

• New crop stocks are expected to start shipping in early November

Minnesota

• New crop supplies will wrap up in late September

North Dakota

• MFC Red and Yellow Potato harvesting is expected to start in early October

Quality

• Fresh-run quality is strong; skinning and excess moisture will be observed
• No. 2 supplies will increase once potatoes are shipped out of storage

Tomatoes

Roma and round tomato production has increased due to better growing conditions in California and Central Mexico. Markets are easing. MFC Tomatoes are available.

California

• Better temperatures (mid-90s) over the last two weeks have increased production and improved quality
  • Demand has eased
  • Supplies are more consistent, lowering markets
• Romas are most abundant; fewer round tomato acres were planted
• Growers continue to monitor plants as past heat waves may reduce yields during the late September season

Mexico

• Central/Eastern Mexican round and Roma production (crossing into South Texas) has increased
• Grape and cherry tomato yields are falling in Baja as some growers transition will transition to new fields over the next two weeks

East Coast

• Southeastern supplies are limited due to fewer acres were plated for August
  • Quality is good
  • Tennessee and North Carolina stocks are tight, but expected to increase in September
  • Virgina’s grape/cherry volume is steady
  • Production is expected to start in Georgia by early October
• Michigan has consistent summer production that should run until the end of September, weather permitting
• Expect lower round and Roma prices over the next two weeks

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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