Avocados

The industry will experience a 25-30% avocado shortage through January. USDA inspections were curtailed over the last two holiday weeks; inclement weather has also caused trucking delays. Expect extremely limited supplies and increased prices for the next two weeks.

Mexico

• All sizes are extremely tight
• 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 through the next two 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

Bell Pepper

Green bell pepper supplies are increasing in Florida and Mexico; markets are easing. Red bells have transitioned from California to Western Mexico. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.

Green Bells

• Mexican supplies are increasing due to favorable weather conditions and reduced demand
  • Quality is good; all sizes are available
  • Stocks are snug in Central Mexico (crossing in South Texas)
• Florida’s post-hurricane plantings are now being harvested; next weekend’s low temperatures could impact pepper growth
• Volume is sufficient in Central and South Florida
• Expect lower prices over the next two weeks

Red Bells

• Production will increase in Western Mexico’s Culiacan region over the next two weeks
  • All sizes are available
  • Quality is good; greening is occasionally being observed at pack out
  • Central Mexico (crossing in South Texas) is predominately shipping choice-grade fruit
• California’s Coachella season is finishing up; most peppers are choice-grade supplies
• Expect stable prices until Culiacan reaches full production in mid-January

Brussels Sprouts

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

Salinas Valley, California  

• Markets are steady
• The Salinas season will continue through February; yields are ample in this region
• Quality is strong
  • Size is dominated by jumbo sprouts
  • Suppliers are behind in harvesting schedules

Baja/Mexicali, Mexico  

• MFC Brussels Sprouts are now shipping out of Mexico
• Supplies are increasing
• Quality is strong; weather will remain ideal through next week
• Markets will ease in the next 10-14 days as Mexico supplies continues to increase

Cantaloupe and Honeydew melons

Central American cantaloupe and honeydew melons are extremely limited this week; demand exceeds supply.  

Cantaloupe

Central America

• Offshore cantaloupe melons remain extremely limited
• Flooding caused by Tropical Storm Sara in November reduced yields and delayed shipments to domestic ports
• Supplies will be extremely limited this week; volume will increase slightly the week of January 13, as harvests begin in replanted lots and secondary growing areas

• • Markon recommends increased order lead time to maximize coverage over the next two to three weeks
  • Size substitutions may be recommended per availability

• Expect elevated markets and tight supplies over the next two weeks

Honeydew

Central American/Mexican

• Mexican honeydew supplies (crossing into Nogales, Arizona) are tight
  • Production has finished in Northern Mexico
  • Volume will remain low in Southern Mexico through February
• Offshore honeydew stocks remain extremely limited
  • Flooding caused by Tropical Storm Sara in November reduced yields and delayed shipments to domestic ports
  • Supplies will be extremely limited this week; volume will increase slightly the week of January 13, as harvests begin in replanted lots and secondary growing areas
    • Markon recommends increased order lead time to maximize coverage over the next two to three weeks
    • Size substitutions may be recommended per availability

• Expect elevated markets and tight supplies over the next two weeks

Cucumbers

The Honduran cucumber season is now well underway. Overall markets remain low due to abundant supplies and weak demand; however, price increases are expected over the next two weeks due to incoming winter weather. MFC Cucumbers are available.

Honduras

• Imports are entering Florida ports
• Quality is very good

Florida

• The season will end in two weeks
• Cooler weather has slowed fruit growth

Mexico

• Sinaloa supplies are abundant
• Quality is very good
• Cooler temperatures will slow yields this week
• The Baja and Central Mexico seasons are winding down; quality is average

From the Fields: Desert Region Cold Snap

Strong winds and lower temperatures are forecast for the Arizona-California desert growing region over the next few days. Lettuce ice is predicted in many areas Thursday, January 9 through Saturday, January 11, as morning lows drop into the upper 20°s/mid-30°s.

Harvesting delays can be expected depending on the severity of the ice. Lower temperatures may linger through the middle of next week increasing chances for ice-related disruptions and potential quality challenges.

The region enjoyed ideal weather throughout December, creating ample supplies. Quality is very good for all major desert row crops, such as broccoli, cauliflower, lettuces, and tender leaf items. Markon inspectors will monitor field conditions, quality, and supply outlook in the days ahead, updating as needed.

Grapes

California’s season will end over the next two weeks. Offshore shipment delays are being reported; expect tight supplies and elevated markets through January.

California

• MFC and ESS Grapes are available
• Green and red seedless grape shipments have ended

• Portioned grapes are forecast to ship through late January
• Quality is good; some soft/damaged fruit is being reported
• Expect steady but elevated markets until the season fully ends

Offshore (Peru and Chile)

• Green and red seedless grapes have begun shipping; some port delays are being reported
• Portioned grapes will enter the market in late January

Expect tight supplies and elevated pricing through January

Green leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces

Green leaf, iceberg, and romaine supplies remain abundant in the Arizona-California desert regions.

• MFC Premium Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine are available
• Quality is excellent
  • Heads possess ideal weights and densities
  • Minor insect pressure is present in some lots
• Sporadic lettuce ice is occurring this week, depending on field location, with minor delays of only one hour before thawing prior to harvest
• Although post-holiday demand rebounded, Storm Blair is bringing cold temperatures and heavy snowfall to Central and East Coast states, weakening demand once more
• Markets are forecast to remain steady at low levels through mid-January, at minimum

Limes

Lime prices are rising; volume is falling.

• MFC and ESS Limes are available
• Last week production was low due to the New Year’s holiday and passing rains in Veracruz, Mexico
• Low overall volume is expected this winter following an active hurricane season this past fall
• Heavy rains led to bloom drop, impacting quality in the forms of oil spotting, stylar, and decay
• Current crops are dominated by large fruit (110- through 150-count limes)
• Size will shift to smaller supplies (200- through 250-count limes), as growers harvest new lots in late January/early February
• Markon recommends increasing order lead time to ensure coverage and avoid delays
• Expect markets to climb over the next three weeks as yields decline

Los Angeles Wildfires

A series of devastating wildfires that started on Tuesday are severely impacting traffic flows and causing significant loss of life and property in the Los Angeles area. The state of California has issued a State of Emergency as more than 27,500 acres and over 1,000 homes have burned in Los Angeles County.

• Five fires are currently being fought within the greater Los Angeles area
• Severe traffic congestion is occurring in affected areas due to road closures and evacuation efforts
• Regional Southern California produce companies are navigating road closures and are currently able to work around them
• 4Earth Farms, Markon’s primary cross-dock facility located in the Los Angeles area, is currently not experiencing any disruptions in their daily operations at this time
  • Markon recommends that logistics teams add additional time when booking loading appointments this week
• Markon will continue to monitor and update as more information becomes available

Mixed Berries

Mixed berries are plentiful; quality is very good and prices are stable.

Blueberries

• Demand is steady
• Quality is very good
• Production has begun to slow in Mexico
• Peruvian berries are available
• Chilean shipments have begun arriving into the U.S.
• Expect markets to remain level

Blackberries

• Mexican berry yields are sufficient
• Quality is good; soft skins and red cells have been reported
• Expect steady prices

Raspberries

• Mexican supplies are adequate
• Medium berries dominate size
• Quality is good; over-ripe berries with light crumbling (individual cells separate from the berry) have been reported
• Expect average prices

Fresh Herbs

Herb supplies are tightening due to the adverse weather; chives, tarragon, and thyme are limited.

• High winds in Ventura County, California during the fall reduced yields for winter production
• Extreme demand during the holiday season cleaned up crops in the Baja, California growing region; cold nights have slowed regrowth and limited supply
• Production out of Columbia has been hampered by rain and poor quality
• Increased demand for chives in Ecuador and thyme from Mexico is putting a strain on supply
• Overall supplies will be scarce over the next two to three weeks, specifically tarragon and thyme
• Expect higher pricing and potential prorates over the next several weeks

Oranges

Orange prices are steady; supplies are plentiful in multiple growing regions.

California

• MFC and ESS Navel Oranges are available 
• Large sizes (56- and 88-count fruit) are limited; smaller sizes (113- and 138-count fruit) are plentiful
• Navel quality is very good; sugar levels range from 12-13 Brix
• Expect steady markets and ample supplies

Mexico

• Mexican imports (crossing into Nogales, Arizona) are available
• Great quality is forecast; sugar levels will range from 12-13 Brix
• Prices will be comparable to those in Florida and Texas

Florida

• The new crop Valencia season will begin in late January
• Stocks will be dominated by 138-count and smaller sizes
• Fair quality is predicted; the majority of fruit will be choice and standard grades
• Prices will be comparable to those in Mexico and Texas

Texas

• Valencia oranges will ship through April
• Quality is good; sugar levels range from 11-12 Brix
• Expect steady markets and tight supplies

Pineapple

Five- to six-count pineapple supplies will be limited for the next four to six weeks.

• Recent rain and cloudy weather has slowed fruit growth in Costa Rica
• Availability will be stronger on smaller (seven- to eight-count) fruit
• Crownless pineapples will be limited as most fruit will be allocated to crowned

Potatoes (Idaho) – Cold Weather Forecast

Forecasts predict below-freezing temperatures to persist in Eastern and Southern Idaho.

• Temperatures need to be 18°F or higher for 5 to 7 hours to haul potatoes from cellars to packing sheds; hauling  when temperatures are below 18°F will freeze potatoes
• Expect reduced production and delayed loading; advanced order lead time is highly recommended for order fulfillment
• Many suppliers will utilize onsite storage to cover orders

Southern Winter Storm

Current weather forecasts predict a significant winter weather event in the South from Thursday, January 9 through Saturday, January 11. Hazardous travel conditions are expected due to an incoming mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow through the weekend. Slow travel may lead to delivery delays caused by heavy traffic and road closures.

• Mexican and offshore produce shipments arriving through Texas ports may be delayed
• East Coast produce logistics originating in Florida will be hampered by this event
  • Florida is currently harvesting bell peppers, cucumbers, squash, strawberries, cabbage, watermelon, and lettuces
  • Orders for Central American melons and cucumbers arriving through Florida ports may be delayed as well
• Markon will continue to monitor and update as more information becomes available

Strawberries

Supply exceeds demand, with prices forecast to be at lower levels through next week.

Santa Maria

• Growers will start harvesting the winter crop next week
• Size currently ranges from medium (20 to 24 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
• Quality is fair; color and appearance have improved
• Expect markets to remain low for another week

Oxnard

• MFC Strawberries may be replaced with supplier label
• Volume is decreasing
• Size currently ranges from medium to large (21 to 24 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
• Quality is good; color is deep red color and flavor is sweet
• Prices will remain soft

Mexico (into South Texas)

• Volume has increased
• Size currently ranges from medium to large (18 to 24 berries per 1-pound clamshell)
• Quality is good; some white shoulders have been reported
• Expect increasing yields (crossing into San Juan, Texas)
• Markets will remain low for the next seven days

Florida

• Growers are shipping berries in a limited manner
• Cooler weather is forecast for next week
• Expect to see smaller fruit with some green tips due to low temperatures
• Quality will slowly improve week after week
• Prices will inch up

Squash

Squash markets are beginning to rise due to cooler weather this week. Yellow squash supplies are light. MFC Zucchini and Yellow Squash supplies are available.

Mexico

• The Sinaloa growing region is seeing cooler weather this week, causing yellow squash supplies to tighten
• Zucchini supplies are adequate
• Quality is good with occasional wind scarring
• Zucchini and yellow squash prices are rising

Florida

• Production is centered in the Immokalee and Homestead growing regions
• Yellow squash production is slow due to cooler weather
• Zucchini supply is steady; quality is very good on both varieties
• Expect squash prices to increase over the next two weeks

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

©2025 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.