Asparagus

Markets are elevated; industry volume is down as domestic crops out of Washington, Michigan, South Carolina, and others have been fully depleted.

Mexico

• Central Mexico and Southern Baja are the primary growing regions
  • Full production out of Central Mexico is expected slightly later than normal (late July)
  • Northern Baja (regarded as a premium asparagus growing region) will begin to open fields in 14-21 days, easing supply pressure somewhat

Peru

• Peru’s volume is increasing week over week but remains lower than normal due to:
  • Inclement weather
  • Weak spring demand reduced incentives to open more fields
• Expect pricing to remain elevated through July until overlapping growing regions create abundant supplies

Avocados

Avocado supplies are extremely limited as Mexico’s production has diminished more rapidly than anticipated. The California and Peruvian seasons are underway, but volume is not sufficient to support U.S./Canadian avocado demand over the next three weeks. The commodity avocado industry is in a demand-far-exceeds-supply situation.

Commodity

• Production in the Michoacan growing region continues to decline; the season is ending
• The incoming summer crop from Jalisco is not meeting maturity standards; dry conditions have delayed harvests until late June
• Expect to make size and grade substitutions to help fill orders
• Suppliers are currently not quoting lid pricing: orders will be priced day of at market price
• Markets are escalating; extremely tight supplies are forecast for the next two to three weeks

Value Added

• Volume is high in multiple growing regions; value-added suppliers use predominantly processor-grade Michoacan fruit
• Ready-Set-Serve Avocado Chunks and Pulp are recommended as substitutes when commodity stocks are not available
• Expect steady markets and ample supplies over the next two to three weeks

Broccoli

Prices are climbing on West Coast and Mexico (into South Texas).

Commodity

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Broccoli is available
• After a recent abundance of California supplies, availability is lower this week
  • Quality is good
  • Overall acreage planted is down week over week as California summer programs tend to diminish while various domestic regions come online and increase industry supplies
• Mexican stocks (into South Texas), are experiencing quality challenges amidst high heat
  • Pin rot, yellowing, and elevated insect pressure are being found in some lots
  • Mexican yields historically trend down through the monsoon season due to increased pest pressure and general plant stress under high heat and humidity
• The Carolinas and Georgia seasons have finished earlier than normal, increasing demand on regions mentioned above
• Overall markets are expected increase over the next three to four weeks

Value Added

• Ready Set Serve (RSS) Broccoli is available
• Erratic weather patterns in Guanajuato, Mexico is leading to diminished supply and low production
• California suppliers are experiencing heavy demand, forcing six-week averages to come into effect
• Quality issues stemming from raw product (pin rot and yellowing) will be seen in some packs
• Substitutions into packer label options are expected

Brussels Sprouts

Although the Brussels sprouts market is elevated, it’s starting to inch down as domestic supplies increase.

• MFC and RSS Brussels Sprouts are available
• Late-season quality issues, including yellowing/off color, bolting, and insect pressure, continue to hinder yields in Mexico
• The size profile remains skewed to smaller sprouts, as growers harvest immature fields; jumbo-size sprouts are limited
• Production is ongoing in Oxnard, California; The Salinas season will begin in July
• Expect elevated markets to persist through mid-July, at minimum, until Salinas production ramps up

Celery

Celery markets are escalating due to limited industry supplies. Expect prices to remain active through mid-July, at minimum.

California

• Production has largely finished in Oxnard, California
• The Salinas season has started in a light way; harvests are currently limited due to planting delays and cold weather that has impeded growth
• Overall quality is strong; the current size profile is small, although all sizes are limited

Michigan

• Michigan harvests are scheduled to begin in early to mid-July

Citrus

Prices for small lemons remain elevated due to short supplies and strong demand. Chilean lemons have begun shipping into the West Coast, helping fill the void of 165- through 235-count domestic lemons.

Lemons

• MFC and Markon Essentials (ESS) Lemons are available  
• Small-size lemons (165- through 235-count fruit) will be extremely limited over the next 4 to 6 weeks
• Expect to make size and/or country of origin changes to help fill orders for small size lemons
• Limited Chilean supplies have arrived on the West Coast to help fill small size shortages
• Argentine stocks have begun to hit markets on the East Coast; volume is low
• Expect elevated pricing and tight supplies over the next four to six weeks

Oranges

• MFC and ESS Navel and Valencia Oranges are available
• Navel supplies are winding down for the season
• California Valencia volume is rising; new crop fruit is dominated by 88- through 113-count oranges
• South African and Chilean Navels are expected to arrive in early July

Grapes

Mexican green and red grape prices are stabilizing. Mexican portioned grape supply continues to meet demand. California’s season will begin in late July. Expect steady markets through the month of July.

Red/Green Grapes

• ESS Grapes are available
• The Mexican season has entered its last two weeks of harvest; demand is steady
• Pricing will continue to decline due to increased production

• California grapes will begin shipping towards mid-to late July

Portioned Grapes

• MFC Lunch Bunch Grapes are available
• Mexican portioned grape season is expected to wrap up in late July
• California’s season is expected to begin harvest July 10
• California portioned grapes will be sweet bond variety (dark purple/black); expect this variety to ship for two to three weeks
• Expect elevated pricing until the California season is underway

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

Green leaf and romaine prices are fairly steady; supplies are meeting current demand. Iceberg markets continue to rise.

Green Leaf and Romaine

• MFC Premium Green Leaf and Romaine are readily available
• Green leaf and romaine quality is very good; fog burn, fringe burn, and internal burn are present in some lots, but being trimmed at harvest
• Markets are expected to remain flat into July

Iceberg

• MFC Premium Iceberg is currently being packed; Markon Best Available (MBA) may be substituted due to low weights
• Persistently cold weather in many parts of the Salinas Valley is hindering iceberg growth; quality is strong apart from light weights in some lots
• Iceberg demand is poised to shift to California from Guanajuato and Querétaro, Mexico, as extremely high temperatures are starting to reduce quality and limit production
  • The iceberg market is expected to continue inching up this week, with the potential to continue for multiple weeks, pending yields in Guanajuato and Querétaro, Mexico
  • Value-added suppliers in California are watching averages due to increased demand shifting from Mexico

Limes

Lime demand has increased, driving markets higher. MFC and ESS Limes are available.

• Prices have increased out of Veracruz, Mexico due to previously poor growing conditions that have necessitated extra grading
  • Prolonged drought in the region weaken trees
  • Current high humidity is causing quality issues
• No. 1 grade quality is good; extra attention is required to remove skin breakdown and stylar
• Supplies are dominated by 175- through 250-count fruit
• Expect higher markets heading into the July Fourth weekend

Potatoes

MFC Idaho Potatoes will remain are available through mid-August.  

Storage Crop

• Idaho

• • MFC Burbank Potatoes are the sole variety shipping out East Idaho; MFC Norkotah Potatoes are available in the southern part of Idaho
  • Supplies will run through mid- to late August
• Washington
  • MFC Norkotah Potatoes will continue to ship from storage
  • Supplies will begin to run out in mid-July

• Size profile is dominated by small potatoes (80- to 100-count stocks); large sizes (40- to 70-count supplies) are tighter
  • Quality remains excellent; pack-outs favor No. 1 quality, with limited No. 2 availability
  • Overall demand is moderate; prices are steady

New Crop 

• Idaho

• • Norkotah harvesting will begin in the western part of the state by early August
  • Harvests in the southern and eastern parts of Idaho will start in mid- to late August
  • New crop Burbanks will enter the market in late September/early October
• Washington:
  • Norkotah production will start in late July

Strawberries

Markets remain elevated but stable. Demand for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday will wind down this week. Cool, cloudy weather is keeping yields lower than anticipated.

Santa Maria

• MFC Strawberries are available
• Fruit size is medium (12 to 16 berries per one-pound clamshell)
• Quality is good; white shoulders have been reported in some lots
• Spring crops are winding down leading into the start of the fall crop in mid-July
• Markets will remain strong

Salinas/Watsonville

• MFC Strawberries are available

• Fruit size is slowly becoming smaller overall (14 to 16 berries per one-pound clamshell)
• Quality is good; green shoulders and occasional mildew have been reported due to continued overcast and wet mornings
• Expect markets to remain elevated but stable as supply is meeting current demand

Tomatoes

Tomato volume is low as growers transition to new regions over the next two weeks. MFC Tomatoes are readily available.

• Mexican round, Roma, cherry, and grape tomato production has transitioned to summer growing regions in Baja and Eastern Mexico
  • Supplies will increase in early July
  • New crop quality is very good
• East Coast production is falling as the Quincy, Florida and South Georgia seasons come to an end
  • South Carolina has good quality despite recent rains; grape tomatoes are snug
  • Virginia and North Carolina harvests will start the Fourth of July
• California Roma and round production will start in a light way next week
• Expect slightly higher prices through July 8 as newer regions begin to ramp up

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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