Bell Peppers

California red bell pepper supplies are increasing; stubbornly high prices are starting to ease. Green bell pepper supplies are adequate as the Midwest and California coastal regions are well established; markets are slightly lower. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

• California’s coastal growing regions of Hollister and Santa Maria are in peak production
  • These regions were not exposed to July heatwaves like the San Joaquin Valley
  • Quality is excellent
  • Large sizes are most prevalent
• Eastern growing regions, including North Carolina, Kentucky and New Jersey, are back into steady production after Tropical Storm Debby; growers will continue to review long term effects from recent heavy rains
• Michigan, Wisconsin and Canada are in full summer production
• Prices continue to lower as multiple growing regions are in play

Red Bells

• The California growing region of Fresno is in full swing
  • Quality is good; pepper walls are thick
  • Small sizes are tight
  • Hollister production is expected to start around August 26; excellent quality is anticipated
• Volume is increasing in Central Mexico as growers are coming online this week
• Canadian greenhouse supplies remain snug, especially in Ontario where plant disease hindered production
• The East Coast has a limited amount of colored peppers
• Expect prices to ease over the next two weeks

Brussels Sprouts

Markon First Crop (MFC) and Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Brussels Sprouts are available.

• The market for Brussels sprouts is finally easing
• Production is fully underway in California’s Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys
• Quality is strong; few defects are being found and mitigated in the fields
  • Expect ample availability of all sizes
  • Moderately warm weather is pushing product forward and increasing yields
• Markets are falling significantly
• Expect pricing to continue to drop off over the next 7-10 days as supplies ramp up and acreage increases through August

Citrus

Small-size California Valencia supplies (113- and 138-count oranges) remain limited. With many schools starting in the coming weeks, small sizes will become extremely scarce. Size, grade, and country of origin substitutions will be necessary to fill orders. The 165- through 200-count lemon market remains elevated due to low volume and strong demand.

Oranges – California Valencia

• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Valencia Oranges are available
• Supplies are dominated by large sizes (56- to 88-count); smaller sizes (113- to 138-count) are limited
• Expect 113- and 138-count oranges to become extremely scarce as more school systems open across North America
• Size, grade, and country of origin substitutions will be necessary to fill orders
• Expect steady yet elevated markets and extremely limited supplies of all small fruit through early October
• Initial reports project California Navels will begin shipping in mid- to late October

Import Navels

• Oranges are being imported into both the East and West Coasts

• Quality is great; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
• Small-size offshore fruit is an option to fill the void of domestic fruit

Lemons – Domestic

• Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Lemons are available  
• Small sizes (165- through 235-count fruit) remain extremely limited
• Several days of excessive heat has caused quality concerns
• Quality is average at best; brown spotting, early decay, and scarring are being reported
• Elevated pricing is forecast for the next six weeks

Offshore

• Offshore fruit from Argentina and Chile will be shipped into North America through early December
• These shipments will help fill the demand not met by California lemons
• Size will be dominated by large lemons (95- through 140-count stocks); smaller sizes will be available as well
• Expect higher pricing compared to domestic and Mexican fruit due to high quality

Mexican

• Mexican shipments have started and will run through late November
• These supplies will help fill the demand not met by California lemons
• Size will be predominately 165- through 235-count fruit; larger sizes will be available
• Expect pricing to be comparable to domestic fruit until volume rises

From the Fields: Romaine Heart Update

Markon First Crop (MFC) Romaine Hearts are currently not available in the 48-count, 7×6-count, and 12×3-count sizes; packer label is being substituted temporarily. Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Romaine Hearts are available in the 2/7.5-pound size.

Some supplies are exhibiting less-than-ideal characteristics this week including dark green color, open heads, and fluctuating size/weight, as well as sporadic long core/seeder.

This is not an industry-wide issue, but more related to specific varieties that are not responding well to recent hot temperatures. Some lots are seeing stalled growth and others are developing heat-related problems that are forcing growers to harvest before the heads have had a chance to fully mature.

Markon inspectors are working with our suppliers to secure the best product available and get back into MFC packs as quickly as possible.

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuce

West Coast green leaf, iceberg, and romaine markets are poised to inch up as Tropical Storm Debby impacts East Coast growing regions with heavy rain and wind.

• East Coast crop damages and impacts are yet to be assessed; Markon will update further in the coming days as more information becomes available
• West Coast supplies in Salinas and Santa Maria, California remain abundant
• Markon First Crop (MFC) Premium Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine are available; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted sporadically due to light weights
• California quality is very good; burn, insect pressure, mildew, and seeder are found periodically
• Market increases are minimal today, but are poised to inch up next week as regional demand shifts to the West Coast

Green Onions

The green onion market continues rising rapidly and supplies remain tight following rains and strong winds from sporadic thunderstorms in the primary growing region of Mexicali, Mexico.

• Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Washed & Trimmed Green Onions are available; packer label may be substituted when supplies do not meet Markon specifications
• Rain and wind have wiped out some mature lots; muddy field conditions have impacted harvesting
• Increased dirt and mud are expected in some final packs, along with damaged ends and mechanically damaged stalks
• Long top green onions are seeing high demand and may become limited towards the tail end of the week
• Ordering for quick turns is recommended through the rest of August as stressed plants will have decreased shelf-life potential
• Expect markets to continue rising this week and peaking within the next five to seven days as younger plantings mature and normal volume returns

Labor Day Schedule 2024

Markon’s buying office will be closed for Labor Day, Monday, September 2; many processors will adjust loading and production schedules due to the holiday. Please see attached for specific holiday order deadlines.

• Markon’s Salinas consolidation dock (Coastal Cooling) will have normal shipping and receiving hours
• Taylor Farms’ loading dock will have regular loading hours
• 4Earth’s consolidation dock will have normal shipping and receiving hours

o    The Los Angeles Produce Market will be closed

o    4Earth will not be able to purchase off the market for same day orders

• Northwest onion and potato shippers’ sales offices and loading docks will be closed

• Loading docks will load by appointment only on Saturday, August 31, and will be closed Sunday, September 1 and Monday, September 2
• Tuesday, September 3 loading will be delayed as sheds resume packing with minimal inventories

Mixed Berries

Blackberry stocks have begun to increase as the Pacific Northwest season hits its stride. Raspberry supplies are beginning to stabilize. Blueberry yields are ample; quality is very good.

Blueberries

• Mexican supplies are sufficient
• Demand is steady; quality is very good
• Pacific Northwest harvesting is at its peak
• Expect markets to remain stable

Blackberries

• California supplies are not sufficient to meet current needs
• Quality is fair; soft skins and red cells have been reported
• Pacific Northwest weather will help increase supplies in that region
• Expect supplies to slowly increase with pricing getting lower

Raspberries

• Baja is starting to see better volume
• Quality is fair
• Demand is steady; prices are trending downward
• Expect supplies to get better

Pineapple

Pineapple supplies are limited; markets are elevated but steady.

• US imports from Central America are favoring a smaller size profile due to quality issues in larger sizes
  • While current rain and cloudy weather can increase sugar levels, they can also cause translucency/water logging in larger sizes
  • These quality issues will continue to cause shortages out of Central America for the next several weeks
• Mexico is currently low in supply; minimal product is being exported to the US
• Expect tight supplies and elevated prices into September

Strawberries

The California strawberry market is slowly rising. Santa Maria and Watsonville volume is past its seasonal peak, but growing conditions remain ideal. Santa Maria suppliers will harvest the fall crop in early September.

Santa Maria, California

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available
• Quality is good
• Size ranges from 20-25 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell and 32-40 in 4/2-pound pack (small to medium)

• Occasional overripening and white shoulders are being reported

• Expect markets to slowly climb

Salinas/Watsonville, California  

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Quality is good; expect full color and sweet flavor
• Size is currently 17-23 berries per 8/1-pound clamshell and 36-44 in 4/2-pound pack (small to medium)
• Some bruising, white shoulders, and light mildew are being reported
• Expect prices to inch up

Tomatoes

Tomato growing regions are recovering from last week’s severe weather. Round tomato markets have escalated due to limited supplies. Markon First Crop (MFC) Tomatoes are available.

California

• Growers report snug supplies as they battle the effects high temperatures
  • Extra grading is common due to heat-related quality issues
  • The San Joaquin Valley is experiencing milder weather (in the mid-90s F) this week
• Round tomatoes are tighter; markets are elevated
• Any future heatwaves could shorten the California season which typically runs until the end of September

Mexico

• Central/Eastern Mexican round and Roma production has been hindered by previous poor weather
• Grape and cherry tomato supplies from the Baja Peninsula are steady; quality is good

East Coast

• East Coast supplies are rebounding after heavy rains caused by Tropical Storm Debby
  • Quality has been impacted; additional grading is required in packhouses
  • Tennessee and North Carolina are shipping the bulk of supply
  • Romas volume is higher than round tomatoes
  • Virgina has good quality grape/cherry tomatoes despite recent storms
• Michigan local deals are underway with low volume and good quality
• Expect round prices to remain elevated and Romas to increase as demand shifts

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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