Bell Peppers

Red and green bell pepper supplies have diminished due to past severe storms and cooler fall weather. Markets are escalating. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

• California’s coastal growing seasons are ending due to cooler weather
• Production has transitioned to the Coachella desert region
  • Quality is very good
  • All sizes are available
  • Demand is strong for California desert crops which are only available in November
  • The harvesting transition to mainland Mexico (into Nogales, Arizona) will occur in late November
• Volume is extremely low out of Central Mexico (crossing into South Texas)
• The Georgia season is expected to run through November
• Florida fields incurred serious damage from Hurricane Milton, delaying production
  • North Florida has adequate volume this week
  • South Florida production will get underway this weekend; supplies will increase in the coming weeks
• Markets are active due to strong demand and tight East Coast supplies

Red Bells

• Yields are tightening due to cool weather in California’s coastal regions
  • All sizes are available
  • Choice grades are most abundant
  • Quality is good
• Supply levels are steady out of Jalisco, Mexico (crossing into South Texas)
• Canadian greenhouse volume has diminished; demand has shifted to California
• Expect higher prices over the next two weeks due to strong demand and lower yields

Broccoli

MFC Premium Broccoli is sporadically available in Salinas, California; Markon Best Available (MBA) Broccoli is being packed in Guanajuato, Mexico (shipping into South Texas) due to elevated levels of branching crowns and hollow cores.

• Markets are moving above seasonal averages
• West Coast supplies are expected to tighten as the final fall fields are harvested
  • The season will end on November 25
  • There will be a short overlap of the two growing regions as the Arizona/California desert season starts on November 20
• Elevated California temperatures have finally eased, leading to better crown structure and quality, as well as decreased insect populations
  • Field crews are selectively harvesting crowns to ensure uniformity and avoid sporadic quality challenges like yellowing and hollow core
  • Markon’s Quality Assurance team is pre-inspecting lots, monitoring harvests, and working closely with our suppliers to ensure acceptable quality in final packs
• Mexican stocks are adequate but will tighten as production transitions to lower elevation
  • Total available acreage will fall over the next 10-14 days
  • Markets remain lower than those on the West Coast
  • Quality ranges from good to very good
• Expect overall elevated prices until production increases in 14-21 days.

Cauliflower

ESS Cauliflower is available; packer label is being substituted as necessary.

• Salinas and Santa Maria prices are escalating
• Quality ranges from fair to good
  • Yields are falling as the Salinas season winds down
  • Some quality defects such as browning/yellowing, insect pressure, and mildew are being reported
  • Cooler nighttime weather and fewer daylight hours have slowed growth
  • Product size is below normal; nine-count packs are limited
• ESS Cauliflower production will transition to the Arizona-California desert region on November 25
• Expect elevated markets heading into November

Strawberries

Rain is forecast for Saturday, November 2 in the Santa Maria growing region.

Santa Maria/Oxnard, California

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Rain is forecast for Saturday, November 2; harvests will be canceled
• Packer label will be shipped, as needed
• Quality issues may include pin rot and light bruising
• Volume will fall, keeping markets active

From the Fields: Santa Maria and Oxnard Strawberries

MFC Strawberries are available in Santa Maria and Oxnard, California.

After one of the strongest spring/summer Salinas/Watsonville strawberry growing seasons in recent years, Markon orders have shifted to the Santa Maria region over the past month. More recently, some orders have been sourced from the Oxnard region.

Challenges with pest pressure, misshapen fruit, variable size, and sporadic pin rot/decay were present in some lots early on, but the recent trend of cooler nights and shorter, sunny days, has improved color, texture, and flavor in both growing regions.

Supplies are steady, and although we are officially in the fall/winter rainy season, neither Santa Maria nor Oxnard have experienced any measurable precipitation at this point. If and when consistent rain events start in these areas, quality challenges and supply disruptions are likely to follow. Markon inspectors are monitoring weather and field conditions weekly and will continue to update as needed.

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Markon First Crop (MFC) Premium Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine are limited in Huron and Salinas, California; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed due to low weights

• The Salinas season is winding down
  • Recent low temperatures have stunted growth in remaining fields
  • Rain is forecast for this Friday evening into Saturday morning; Markon is working with growers to pack ahead of the rain
• Yuma’s harvest has started in a limited manner
  • The majority of growers will transition to Yuma the week of November 11
  • Initial quality looks very good
  • Expect limited stocks until the desert season ramps up in late November
• The Huron and Oxnard seasons will continue through mid-November
• Mexican lettuce production (crossing into South Texas) is two to three weeks away; late rains and cooler weather have delayed harvests
• The Florida season will begin in early to mid-December
• California quality is fair
  • Disease pressure, inconsistent head density, insect damage, and seeder are present in many remaining fields
  • Markon Quality Assurance is working closely with growers to identify the best lots
• Markets are active; expect elevated prices through late November

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

Squash

Squash harvesting transitions are occurring from California to Mexico due to this week’s cooler weather. The East Coast has a steady supply in both Georgia and Florida.

• MFC Zucchini and Yellow Squash are available

• California’s Santa Maria region is finishing up this weekend due to cold weather
• The Mexican region of Sonora has a steady supply of zucchini and yellow squash
  • Quality is average
  • Occasional scarring observed during harvests
• Stocks are shipping from Georgia but the season will be ending in a few weeks
• Production has begun in Florida; supplies are increasing
• Expect slightly higher markets next week as demand for Mexican squash increases

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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