Avocados

Industry supplies are extremely limited. Expect elevated markets for the next three weeks as the upcoming Super Bowl will increase demand.

Mexico

• All sizes will remain tight due to strong Superbowl demand
• Size and grade substitutions may be requested to fill orders
• Quality is good; checkerboarding (uneven ripening within a case) has been reported
• Expect elevated markets and tight supplies for the next three weeks

Colombia

• Imports will ship into the East Coast through May; these supplies only account for 5% of U.S. demand
• The crop is currently dominated by small sizes (60- to 84-count fruit)
• Quality is comparable to that in Mexico; texture is creamy and oil content is high

California

• Regular inspection schedules will resume in mid-January
• New crop production will start in late January
• Once this season begins, supplies will help fill the void from Mexico-grown product

Broccoli

Markon First Crop (MFC) Premium Broccoli is being harvested in Arizona, Northern Mexico, and Central Mexico (loading in South Texas).

Arizona/California Desert and California’s Central Coast

• Markets are steady at moderate-to-lower levels in all regions, but are poised to rise following persistently cool weather
• Supplies are currently widely available but will begin trending lower
• Low temperatures and overnight frosts are hindering crown maturity; recent strong winds are dehydrating plants and slowing growth
• New crop Arizona/California desert region quality is strong; color is consistently green, mechanical damage is minimal, and insect pressure is low
• Limited production also continues in Santa Maria, California
• Expect industrywide prices to rise alongside rising demand

Mexico

• Mexican-grown MFC Broccoli is available in South Texas; quality is very good amid mostly temperate and dry conditions
• High temperatures are hovering around the mid-70s to near 80 through the middle of the week, before some slight cooling brings 60s to 70s through Friday afternoon
• Markets are steady to lower this week, but pricing is like the Arizona/California desert growing region
• Expect pricing to remain lower and better availability over the next two to three weeks as domestic markets rise and supplies fall

Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons

Offshore supplies of Central American cantaloupe and honeydew remain extremely limited following the effects of Tropical Storm Sara in November; demand exceeds supply.  

Cantaloupe

Central America

• Supplies remain extremely limited
• Cold weather is slowing replanted lots in Guatemala and secondary growing regions in Honduras and Costa Rica

• Fruit size can vary by shipment; Markon may recommend size substitutions based on availability

• Expect limited supplies and elevated markets through late February

Honeydew

Central American/Mexican

• Central American Honeydew is extremely limited this week

• Cold weather is slowing growth in replanted lots in Guatemala and secondary growing regions in Honduras and Costa Rica
• Flooding brought by Tropical Storm Sara is reducing yields; many growers are focusing on covering program business and not taking on any additional volume
• Mexican supplies (crossing into Nogales, Arizona) are limited; expect a slight increase in volume come early February

• All sizes are limited; size substitutions may be recommended based on availability

• Expect high prices and limited supplies through mid-February

Cauliflower

Markon Essentials (ESS) Cauliflower is available; packer label is being substituted as necessary.

• Markets are climbing
• Supplies are shipping out of the Holtville, California and Yuma, Arizona growing regions; volume is low in Santa Maria, California
  • Persistent cold weather and lower-than-average ground temperatures have slowed plant maturity
  • Quality is fairly good; intermittent frost conditions have led to some discoloration, dark spotting, and bruising
  • Small heads dominate size; nine-count supplies are limited
• Below-average demand has kept markets from spiking, but prices will escalate further as demand strengthens over the next two weeks

• Expect elevated prices over the next 10-14 days

From the Fields: Desert Cold Snap Continues (Jan. 20)

Morning lows in the Arizona/California desert growing region dipped into the upper 20°s to low 30°s over the weekend. Similar temperatures are being reported this morning, with moderate-to heavy lettuce ice expected to cause harvesting delays of 3-4 hours.

The current forecast calls for winds to pick up today, with gusts up to 35mph by this afternoon. Freezing morning temperatures will persist throughout the week, decreasing in severity late in the week. Daytime highs will remain in the mid-60°s to low 70°s, but ground temperatures have cooled dramatically, hindering plant growth.

Apart from stalled growth, the combination of high winds followed by freezing temperatures in 10 out of the last 11 days will have lasting effects on case weights, quality, and shelf-life performance of lettuce and tender leaf items in particular.

Markon inspectors continue to monitor desert row crop supplies closely and are working with growers to secure the best product for Markon orders.

From the Fields: Desert Region Quality & Weather Update (Jan. 23)

Winds are forecast to subside in the Arizona-California desert region; morning temperatures will dip into the upper 20°s to low 30°s through the weekend.

Quality challenges caused by freezing temperatures and strong winds include:

• Dehydration
• Elevated dirt in packs
• Epidermal blistering/peeling
• Low case weights
• Loss of vibrancy
• Wind damage/fringe burn
• Yellowing/discolored leaves

As much as .25” of rain is forecast for Sunday, January 26 and Monday, January 27. Potential challenges include:

• Bottom rot
• Decay
• Dirt/mud
• Mildew pressure
• Premature pinking

Markon will pack the membership’s Monday orders this Saturday, January 25 prevent shortages.

From the Fields: Strong Winds and Wildfires Impacting Oxnard, California (Jan. 23)

Please click here to view a Markon Live from the Fields video taken yesterday regarding strong winds and wildfires in Southern California and their effects on the Oxnard growing region.

• The recent devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area had not impacted the Oxnard growing region until yesterday
• The Hughes Fire, located approximately 50 miles from Oxnard in Castaic, kicked up at approximately 10:30 am on January 22
• Strong winds pushed smoke and ash into the Oxnard region by early afternoon, significantly reducing air quality
• Conditions have cleared up and there is currently no detectable smoke in the region, but some growers have canceled harvests due to these Santa Ana winds and the potential for smoke/ash to become a concern again
• Oxnard crops that have been impacted and/or are subject to falling ash:
  • Celery
  • Cilantro
  • Kale
  • Parsley
  • Strawberries
• As of this morning, the Hughes fire has burned over 10,000 acres and is only 14% contained
• Markon inspectors are actively monitoring the situation and will continue to update with any new developments

Grapes

California’s season will end next week. Offshore shipments are arriving in U.S. ports; expect supplies to slowly increase and markets to inch down through January.

Offshore

• Peruvian and Chilean green and red grapes will ship through March
• Portioned grapes will enter the market at the end of next week

• Quality is good; some soft/damaged fruit is being reported

• Expect increased supplies and slowly declining markets through January

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuce

Strong winds and low temperatures persist in the Arizona/California desert growing regions. Markets are steady but poised to rise as lettuce ice is forecast daily this week.

• MFC Premium Green Leaf and Romaine are available
• MFC Premium Iceberg Lettuce is sporadic due to low weights; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed
• Quality is good
  • The bulk of lots being harvested this week are meeting MFC specifications; however, upcoming quality will be diminished following continued poor growing conditions
  • Dehydration, epidermal blistering/peeling, fringe burn, growth cracks, and mildew are being found in many fields
  • Harvesting crews are being selective and peeling outer leaves to remove defects
• Although demand is weak, holding current markets low, prices will inch up due to continued cold weather

Onions

Yellow and red onions supplies are meeting demand, and markets will remain at current levels. White onions remain extremely limited, prices are rising. Storage quality is excellent.

Idaho and Washington

• Storage season will end mid- to late April

Colorado

• Supplies will be depleted in early March

Utah

• Stocks will wrap up at the end of March

Mexico

• Mexican-grown onions will begin crossing into South Texas by mid-February

Texas

• Domestic supplies will begin to ship in early March

New Mexico

• Production is expected to begin in late May

California

• Southern California will start in late April
• Northern California will get going in early June

Pineapples

Pineapple supplies are expected to remain tight for the next two weeks; prices are elevated.

• Recent rain and cloudy weather have slowed fruit growth and reduced yields in Costa Rica
• Supplies will increase week over week but remain limited for the next four weeks
• Although all sizes are snug, small sizes will be more readily available; order flexibility will help with coverage
• Crownless stocks are the scarcest as most growers focus on packing crowned fruit first
• Poor road and weather conditions in Texas, as well as port congestion, have further tightened day-to-day availability this week

Southern Winter Storm Enzo

Winter storm Enzo, which brought historic snowfall to the southern U.S., has traversed east this week and will dissipate in Florida and Georgia over the next day. Ports, businesses, and most logistical routes have reopened and are recovering from the storm’s effects over the past three days; growers in Texas and Florida are now monitoring their crops.

• Seaport Freeport near Houston, Texas has resumed unloading imported pineapples and melons
• Texas experienced short-term cabbage, cilantro, leafy green, onion, orange, and grapefruit harvesting delays; growers are reviewing their crops for potential supply gaps, especially in sensitive items such as leafy greens
• Cabbage harvesting was delayed in Northern Florida due to freezing temperatures
• South Florida saw windy, cool weather mixed with rain over the past two days, slowing production
  • Farmers will monitor pepper, squash, and cucumber fields for potential bloom drop which can occur during early-stage production
  • Windy conditions can also increase quality concerns such as scarring
• Expect some moderate berry harvesting delays; low temperatures may hinder yields heading into Valentine’s Day
• Markon will continue to monitor and update as more information becomes available

Strawberries

Rain is forecast for California’s Santa Maria and Oxnard growing regions over the weekend.

Santa Maria, California

• The spring season has begun in a limited manner
• Size currently ranges from 9-14 berries per 1-pound clamshell
• Quality is good; some bruising is being reported due to size
• Expect markets to remain steady

Oxnard, California

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available
• Volume is increasing
• Size currently ranges from medium to large (16-22 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
• Quality is good; color is deep red and flavor is sweet
• Prices are stable

Mexico (into South Texas)

• Supplies are ample
• Size currently ranges from medium to large (22-26 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
• Quality is good; small size, white shoulders, and misshaped berries have been reported
• Markets are level

Florida

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Supply levels are ramping up
• Berries size ranges from small-medium to medium 24-28 berries per 1-pound clamshell
• Quality is good
• Prices will inch down next week

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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