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 as quality is better from these regions. Production is also underway in Mexico (into South Texas). Expect markets to increase as overall yields are low.

Salinas/Watsonville

• Stocks continue to diminish as the season is winding down
• Volume is down by at least 50%
• Size currently ranges from small to medium (24 to 28 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
• Quality is fair; some softness and early decay have 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 2-pound clamshell)
• Quality is good; 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 good; color is deep red color and flavor is sweet

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

Florida

• Production has been delayed until after Thanksgiving due to this fall’s hurricanes
• Growers are reporting small size and odd shape in early season mud crop supplies
• Size ranges from 23-25 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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