Red bell peppers remain in a demand-exceeds-supply situation. Prices are extremely high due to harvesting transition gaps in California. East Coast green bells are transitioning farther north.

Red Bells

• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Red Bell Peppers are limited; packer label will be substituted this week

• Coachella Valley, California’s season ended early due to abnormally hot weather, while Bakersfield, California’s fruit ripening process has been slow (due to past weather fluctuations)
  • Supplies are extremely limited; growers will continue to light harvests this week
  • Prices are elevated

• Mexican production out of Baja and the Central region (crossing into South Texas) is tight
• The East Coast has a limited availability of colored peppers
• Orange bell peppers may be substituted on a case-by-case basis; yellow bell peppers are also scarce
• Expect escalating markets heading into the Fourth of July weekend

Green Bells

• MFC and ESS Green Bell Peppers are available

• California’s San Joaquin Valley volume is steady
  • Quality is very good; all sizes are available
  • The Gilroy/Hollister region is expected to start in mid-July
• East Coast production has transitioned from Georgia to the Carolinas quickly due to past heat/rain; overall stocks are snug
  • North Carolina quality is good
  • Local summer programs (including Kentucky, Virginia, and New Jersey) will start in mid-July
• Expect slightly higher markets over the next two weeks

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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