Bell Peppers

East Coast green bell pepper growers are transitioning to Southern Florida. West Coast growers are moving to Mexico. California red bell pepper supplies are steady this week due to favorable weather; production will transition to Mexico soon. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

• California’s Coachella desert season will finish over the next week for most growers
  • Larger sizes are scarce
  • Quality is average
• The new crop winter season is underway in mainland Mexico
  • Supply levels are inching up
  • Quality is good
  • Small and medium sizes are most plentiful
  • Expect better sizing options by mid-December
• Central Mexico is shipping light inventory into South Texas
• The seasons in Georgia and North Florida have ended due to low temperatures
• Central Florida is expected to see increased volume in the next week to 10 days
• Cooler weather has slowed production in South Florida but warmer days are forecast
• Expect slightly lower prices over the next two weeks as harvesting in newer regions is established

Red Bells

• California’s desert supply is steady
  • The region experienced temperatures in the low 80s this week
  • Quality is good
  • All sizes are available
  • This season will run until late December
• Supplies out of Central Mexico (crossing in South Texas) are extremely tight; quality is sporadic
• The Canadian greenhouse season has ended, increasing demand for California/Mexican-grown fruit
• The Nogales, Arizona season will slowly ramp up over the next two to three weeks, as California winds down
• Expect high prices to persist through December

Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons

The Central American melon season is off to a slow start; Tropical Storm Sara is keeping volume low at the start of the season. Markets are rising.  

Cantaloupe

Central American

• Markon will avoid shipping Mexican cantaloupes
• Offshore shipments of Central American cantaloupes are arriving by vessel into domestic ports
• Tropical Storm Sara, which hit Central America two weeks ago, is resulting in delayed containers
• Expect increased traffic at the ports over the next two weeks

• Quality is good; cantaloupe crops fared the recent rains better than honeydew

• Expect elevated markets over the next two to three weeks

Honeydew

Central American/Mexican

• Mexican supplies are available for loading in Nogales, Arizona until late December; markets are lower than those for Central American fruit but are expected to rise as demand increases
• Offshore/Central American honeydews are extremely limited; demand exceeds supply
  • Rains brought by Tropical Storm Sara are negatively impacting quality and resulting in delayed shipments
  • Growers are culling higher percentages due to softness, scarring, and decay
• Honduran and Costa Rican growing regions were more heavily impacted by the storm than Guatemala
  • Growers will work to assess fields in the coming weeks
  • Low volume is projected for late December/January

• Expect rising markets and limited supplies over the next three to four weeks.

Green leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces on the Decline

Green leaf, iceberg, and romaine prices are falling as supplies increase in the Arizona-California desert region. Supplies and field weights are increasing due to a recent warming trend.

• The majority of the growers have transitioned production to the Arizona-California desert region
  • Quality is strong
  • Iceberg weights are increasing daily
  • Romaine and green leaf frames are ideal
  • Bottom rot, freeze damage on outer leaves, and insect pressure are minor issues being removed by field crews
• Expect markets to stabilize at low levels into next week amid weak demand and high yields
• MFC Premium Green Leaf and Romaine are available
• MFC Iceberg is sporadic; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed due to low weights

Limes

Lime markets are rising; demand is strengthening while volume is falling.

• MFC and ESS Limes are available
• Last weekend’s rain reduced production in Veracruz, Mexico, and will result in fewer shipments crossing into Texas this week

• Current harvests are dominated by large, 110- through 175-count limes; stylar and oil spotting are occasional issues for these sizes
• Small, 200- to 250-count fruit is extremely limited and commands higher prices

• Lower new crop volume is expected following this fall’s active hurricane season in Veracruz, Mexico
• Expect prices to inch up over the next three to four weeks

Squash

Squash prices are falling due to favorable weather in Mexico and reduced demand after the Thanksgiving holiday.

• Volume has increased in mainland Mexico due to improved growing conditions
  • Demand is weak after Thanksgiving
  • Harvesting started in Sinaloa this week
• Production has begun in South Florida; stocks are increasing
• The Central Florida season will get underway in the next week
• Expect lower zucchini and yellow squash markets this week
• MFC Zucchini and Yellow Squash are available

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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