Bell Peppers

Elevated markets persist. The ideal weather forecast for new crop growing regions in Florida and California is expected to increase volume. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

• Mexican supplies are snug as their spring acreage starts to wind down for the season
  • Small sizes are most abundant
  • Quality is average: pitting and bruising are being observed at grading facilities

• Florida stocks remain tight even with Plant City production starting; past weather is the main culprit

• California’s Imperial Valley supplies will increase next week as high temperatures (+90F) are forecast
• Expect prices to ease over the next two weeks

Red Bells

• Mexican supplies are slowly rebounding after the Easter holiday and Texas border delays
  • Quality is average as growers work through older fields
  • Bruising is being seen in some lots
• The Canadian greenhouse season is producing high-quality bell peppers; jumbo and extra-large sizes dominate availability
• Expect markets to remain steady this week

California Strawberries

Rain is expected in the Santa Maria and Salinas/Watsonville, California growing regions this week.

Oxnard

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Production is down due to quality concerns resulting from the recent heat wave that hit the area
• Quality is good: some heat-damaged fruit is being reported
• Volume is anticipated to decrease this week but quickly rebound through the month
• Expect tight supplies for the next three to five days

Santa Maria

• MFC Strawberries are available
• The forecast calls for rain on Thursday, April 21
• Quality is good: some split tip and green shoulders are being reported
• Plastic clamshells may need to be substituted for the corrugated clamshells
• Expect tight supplies for the next three to five days

Salinas/Watsonville

• The forecast calls for rain Thursday, April 21 and Friday, April 22
• Volume is low as the season is just starting to come into play
• Supplies willl ramp up in late April, barring any unusual weather events

Cucumbers

Overall supplies remain snug. Expect Mexican volume to rise this week. MFC and ESS Cucumbers are available.

• Mexican supplies will increase in the states of Sinaloa and Sonora this week as new crops come online

• Quality is improving due to excellent growing conditions/weather
• The Baja Peninsula will have minimal volume until the season ramps up in late May

• Florida’s spring crops remain tight due to limited acreage and past poor weather

• Quality is average with some reports of scarring at the grading stage
• Limited stocks are forecast for April (until Georgia crops begin shipping in early May)
• Expect slightly lower prices over the next two weeks

Onions

The Northwest storage onion season continues to wind down. New crop onions are now being shipped out of California’s Imperial Valley. Texas-grown supplies are also on the market.

Northwest

• The Idaho/Oregon season for MFC Onions will conclude this week
• MFC Washington Onions will ship through the end of April
• Markets are steady, but will fall by the end of the week as shippers attempt to clear out remaining inventory
• Expect internal defects such as translucency, as well as dry and watery scale, on arrival

Texas

• Texas-grown MFC Red and Yellow Onions are readily available
• The Texas onion season will run through mid-May
• Prices are steady
• Fresh-run onions will have feathery skins and light color/exterior compared to Northwest storage onions

California

• Yellows onions have hit the market; red and white onions will begin to ship next week
• MFC Red and Yellow Onions will begin become available on Monday, April 25
• The market is expected to open just under Texas price levels

New Mexico

• The New Mexico season is on track to open in early June

Rain in Salinas 

Under an inch of rain is anticipated in the Salinas Valley on Wednesday evening, April 20. Partially cloudy days are forecast through the end of the week. Heavy showers are expected on Thursday, April 21, followed by light showers on Friday, April 22.

These rain events could potentially create harvesting and quality challenges such as:

• Delayed harvesting and production
• Delayed receiving/shipping times
• Wet and muddy field conditions
• Bottom rot
• Mildew pressure

Markon Inspectors will continue monitoring the situation closely and work with suppliers to ensure all orders are covered.

South Texas Border Delays

The enhanced Department of Public Safety security checks between the Texas/Mexico border have been regulated and removed. All border crossings in the state are back to standard operating procedures.

• Texas Governor, Greg Abbot, reached agreements with the three remaining Mexican state governors in Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Tamaulipas late last week

• All ports of entry between Texas and Mexico are now open
• Produce companies are reporting most delayed shipments have crossed; warehouses are working overtime to receive and inspect late produce loads
• Expect three to four days for the entire supply chain to return to normal

Squash

Supplies are rebounding after Easter. MFC Zucchini and Yellow Squash are both available.

• The mainland Mexico growing regions of Guaymas and Hermosillo are experiencing high yields due to excellent weather; very good quality is reported overall
• Florida supplies are adequate
  • The Southern Florida and Plant City regions are being harvested this week
  • Quality is good; zucchini is slightly better than yellow squash
• The harvesting transition is nearing; the California, Baja Peninsula, and Georgia growing regions will start production in early to mid-May
• Expect low prices over the next two weeks

Stone Fruit

The California stone fruit season is just around the corner. Volume will ramp up quickly through the month of May.

Apricots

• Supplies are limited, but increasing daily
• Size is dominated by small fruit (volume-filled 12- and 14-count packs); larger sizes will be available by the end of next week
• Quality is good: sugar levels range between 12 and 16 Brix (sweetness/flavor will peak in mid-May)

Peaches/Nectarines

• Supplies are limited, but increasing daily
• Size is dominated by small fruit (60-count); larger sizes will be available by the end of next week (54- and 56-count)
• The season will run from June through mid-September
• Good quality is forecast: sugar levels typically range from 10 to 12 Brix
• The Georgia peach season will begin in mid-May and continue through August

Plums

• The California season will run from mid-June to mid-October
• Fruit will begin shipping in early June
• Expect good quality: sugar levels typically range from 12 to 14 Brix
• Plums will be sourced from Chile until mid-May

Cherries

• Limited supplies of cherries are available out of California’s Central Valley; volume will ramp up next week
• This week’s rain will affect harvesting and cause quality issues
• The California season will run through early July
• Washington cherries will be available in June and ship through August

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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