Recent rainfall did not end the Salinas/Watsonville, California season prematurely as predicted, but volume is falling and quality has suffered. Demand for Santa Maria and Oxnard strawberries is strong, quality very nice. Production is underway in Mexico (into South Texas). Expect markets to increase, as overall yields are low.

Salinas/Watsonville

• Stocks continue to diminish as the season winds down
• Volume is down at least 50%
• Size currently ranges from small to medium (24 to 28 berries per one-pound clamshell)
• Quality is fair; some softness and early decay has been reported

Santa Maria

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available
• The fall crop has passed its peak and continues to downtrend
• Size currently ranges from small to medium (48 to 53 berries per two-pound clamshell)
• Quality is very nice; softness and green shoulders have been reported
• Expect markets to climb as yields fall

Oxnard

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Volume is increasing, helping fill the industry void from other growing regions
• Size currently ranges from medium to large (18 to 21 berries per one-pound clamshell)

• Quality is very nice; color is deep red color and flavor is sweet
• Expect tight markets

Mexico (into South Texas)

• Early season volume is low
• Quality is good; some small size and white shoulders have been reported
• Expect increasing supplies (crossing into San Juan, Texas) over the next two to three weeks
• Expect markets to remain active

Florida

• Production has been delayed until after Thanksgiving due to October’s hurricanes
• Growers are reporting small size and odd shape in early season mud crop supplies
• Size ranges from 23 to 25 per 8/1-pound clamshells
• Quality will improve as the weeks progress

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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