Bell Peppers

Green bell peppers are transitioning to South Florida and Mexico; markets are elevated. Red bell peppers are light; ripening issues are a concern due to recent cool weather. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Red Bells

• The California desert region is winding down over the next two weeks
  • Last week’s cooler temperatures affected the ripening process
  • Quality is average; color issues are the main concern
  • The occasional substitution into #2 grade packer label may occur
• Mexico has limited supplies of choice grades; regular volume isn’t expected until the beginning of January and supplies are very tight in Central Mexico crossing in South Texas
• The Canadian greenhouse season has finished
• Expect elevated prices for the next three weeks due strong demand, winter weather, and transitions south from California to Mexico

Green Bells

• The California season has ended and demand has transitioned to Mexico
• Mexico has light/adequate supply due to previous weather
  • Quality is good; extra-large/jumbo sizes are limited
  • Volume will pick up as more Culiacan growers start over the next two weeks
  • Central Mexico (crossing in South Texas) supply is struggling due to poor growing conditions this past season
• Growers have started harvesting in Central Florida; expect increased volume over the next two weeks
• Warmer weather in South Florida will continue aiding growth
• Expect slightly lower prices over the next two weeks

Broccoli

MFC Premium Broccoli is available in Yuma, Arizona and Mexico (loading in South Texas).

Arizona/California Desert

• Supplies are readily available
• New crop Arizona/California desert region supplies are exhibiting strong quality
• Recent weather has provided ideal growing conditions, but some fields are experiencing overnight frosts that will reduce yields and cause smaller crown sizing
• Weak demand is forecast to end the year; markets will be lower over the next 7-10 days as supplies continue to come online

Mexico

• Mexican-grown product, shipping out South Texas, is adequate; quality ranges from good to very good
• Markets remain lower than the West Coast; potential FOB cost and freight savings are diminishing as domestic markets trend lower
• Expect industry-wide prices to remain steady to slightly lower as volume continues increasing next month and demand normalizes

Cauliflower

Cauliflower markets are declining rapidly as demand softens and favorable weather aids growth in the desert growing region.

• ESS Cauliflower is available; packer label is being substituted as necessary
• Prices are dropping quickly as holiday demand softens
• Supplies out of the Holtville, California and Yuma, Arizona growing regions are increasing
  • Quality is good; heads are presenting a bright white color and very minimal bruising
  • This week’s warmer weather is expected to promote growth

• Markets will continue to drop this week and remain fairly depressed through the end of December

Tomatoes

Roma and round tomato markets are slightly lower due to reduced demand. West Mexican fields are underway and will ramp up over the next three weeks. MFC Tomatoes are available.

Round

• East Coast production is extremely limited due to past hurricanes
  • Volume is extremely low in Florida’s Ruskin/Palmetto region; most fruit is off-grade
  • Harvesting in Florida will have a short gap for one to two weeks before new crop begins
  • Expect harvesting to begin in Central and South Florida in early to mid-January
• Mexican supply will build over the next two weeks in West Mexico’s Sinaloa region
  • Demand is low during the holiday week
  • Expect good quality from the new growing region in Sinaloa
  • Light supplies are still available out of Central Mexico and Baja
  • Expect prices to decrease over the next two weeks

Roma

• East Coast stocks are extremely snug; production will begin mid-January in Central and South Florida
• Mexican supplies are adequate with current low demand; prices are slightly lower this week
  • Growers have started in a limited manner out of Sinaloa
  • Quality is good out of the new fields
  • Expect prices to decrease over the next month as new growers come online

Grape & Cherry Varieties

• Baja and Central Mexico continue with light supplies and fair quality
• West Mexico is underway and supply will improve over the next month
• South Florida supply has improved as new crops are underway
• Expect lower prices over the next two weeks

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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