Bell Peppers
Green bell peppers are abundant with supply available in multiple growing regions; markets are slightly lower. Markon First Crop (MFC) and Markon Essentials (ESS) Green and Red Bell Peppers are available.
Green Bells
- Mexico has steady supply crossing through Nogales from the northern state of Sonora; the season will begin winding down in late-May
- Quality is good with occasional bruising
- The California desert season is underway with improved yields and very good quality; jumbo and extra-large sizes are plentiful
- Central Florida production out of Plant City is well underway; all sizes are available and quality is good
- The Georgia season will start early (May 6) due to favorable weather; expect light supplies next week with a possible flush mid-May
- Expect low prices to persist over the next two weeks with multiple regions in play
Red Bells
- Mexican volume is adequate with mixed quality
- Older plantings in Culiacan are causing weaker peppers; extra grading is occurring in Nogales
- Newer fields in Baja have better quality and are being used for higher grades
- The Culiacan season will begin winding down in late May/early June
- Canadian greenhouses are starting new sets with excellent quality
- The California desert season will start with light supply in late May; nice quality is projected due to favorable growing conditions
- Expect slightly higher prices next week with additional Mother’s Day pull
Broccoli and Cauliflower
MFC Broccoli and ESS Cauliflower supplies are readily available. Broccoli markets are slightly higher this week while cauliflower markets are falling.
Broccoli
- California-grown quality is good; crown size, color, and texture is ideal
- Overall supplies are sufficient to meet demand; markets are rising but are mostly steady at average levels
- Mexican-grown product is available for loading in South Texas at slightly higher FOB costs
- Availability is down amid a harvesting gap this week as crops transition to fields at higher altitude
- Product reviewed by Markon inspectors is exhibiting excellent quality due to dry, temperate weather
Cauliflower
- Supplies are increasing quickly in the West Coast growing regions of Salinas and Santa Maria
- Quality issues are minimal but include dark spotting and off-color, oversized heads
- Ideal growing conditions have increased available supplies and lowered markets
- Expect prices to continue falling through the end of this week, at minimum
California Stone Fruit
The California stone fruit season is approaching; volume will ramp up in early June.
Peaches
- The California season will run from mid-May to mid-September
- Fruit will begin shipping the week of May 15
- Good quality is forecast with sugar levels ranging between 11 and 13 Brix; sweetness/flavor will peak in late June
Nectarines
- The season will run from late May through mid-September
- Fruit will begin shipping the week of May 26
- Good quality is forecast with sugar levels ranging from 10 to 12 Brix
- The Georgia peach season will begin in mid-May and continue through August
Plums
- The California season will run from early June to mid-October
- Fruit will begin shipping the week of June 3
- Expect good quality
Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons
The Central American melon season is winding down ahead of the Arizona-California domestic season; markets are slightly lower.
Cantaloupes
- Central American shipments are decreasing as the offshore season winds down
- Markets are slightly lower
- Suppliers expect their final offshore shipments to arrive the week of May 13
- Quality remains good; bruising and inconsistent ripeness may be occasional issues
- Mexican supplies are ample; prices are low
- Domestic production will begin in a limited manner in the Arizona-California desert growing region next week
- MFC Cantaloupe will be available the week of May 13
Honeydews
- The Central American melon season is winding down
- Shipments are decreasing
- Markets are slightly lower
- Suppliers expect their final shipments the week of May 20
- Quality is good/fair; inconsistent ripeness and bruising are occasional issues
- Mexican supplies are ample; prices are low
- Domestic harvests will begin in the Arizona-California desert growing region the week of May 20
- Expect steady markets for the next 7-10 days
- MFC Honeydew will be available the week of May 20
Cilantro
- Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Washed & Trimmed Cilantro is available
- Production is steady and markets are lower in the Southern and Central California regions of Oxnard and Santa Maria as well as the Salinas Valley
- Dry, temperate weather forecast for the next 10-14 days will help improve product quality
- Seeder/bolting issues seen in recent weeks have subsided and stronger shelf-life performance is being reported
- There are no pest or disease pressure issues to note at this time; elevated temperatures may increase disease pressure and lower yields around end of the month
- Expect markets to remain steady throughout the month of May
From the Fields: Salinas Valley Rain
Forecasts for California’s Salinas Valley have increased the expected amount of rain arriving Saturday, May 4. Most parts of the valley are now likely to receive about .25”, but some areas may receive closer to .50”. Other key regions such as Santa Maria and Oxnard, California are expected to receive less than .1”.
Growers have packed ahead today to avoid tomorrow’s rain. Any suppliers harvesting tomorrow will take measures to keep product and cartons as clean and dry as possible. Some production delays can be expected through Monday, May 6, pending field conditions.
Markon inspectors will be monitoring row crop vegetable items for any rain-related quality concerns. Lettuce and tender leaf items will be most impacted by the following challenges:
- Bottom rot
- Dirt/mud on the product
- Increased mildew pressure
- Premature pinking in some value-added salads or Washed & Trimmed leaf lettuce packs
- Reduced shelf-life potential
Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine Lettuces
Romaine prices are falling as quality improves and yields increase. Green leaf and iceberg markets are slightly lower as supplies slowly increase.
- MFC Premium Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine are available; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted as needed due to low weights
- Recent favorable weather, following light rain at the end of last week, has promoted growth and improved quality
- Disease pressure is still found in some lots, although at significantly reduced rates
- Demand remains strong, but has weakened following the Mother’s Day holiday pull
- Markets are expected to continue to ease into next week
Memorial Day Schedule 2024
Markon’s buying office will be closed for Memorial Day, Monday, May 27; many processors will adjust loading and production schedules due to the holiday.
- Markon’s Salinas consolidation dock will have regular hours for orders
- Taylor Farms’ loading dock will have regular loading hours
- 4Earth’s consolidation dock will have regular loading hours
o The Los Angeles Produce Market will be closed
o 4Earth will not be able to purchase off the market
- Northwest potato shippers’ sales offices and loading docks will be closed
- Tuesday, May 28 loading will be delayed as sheds resume packing with minimal inventories
- California onion sheds will be open for loading by appointment only
- Tuesday, May 28 loading will be delayed as sheds resume packing with minimal inventories
Strawberries
Warm, clear weather is aiding growth and increasing supplies in strawberry growing regions of Santa Maria and Salinas/Watsonville.
Santa Maria/Oxnard, California
- MFC Strawberries are available
- Quality has improved due to sunny weather
- Expect markets to remain steady
Salinas/Watsonville, California
- Production has started in Salinas/Watsonville
- Weather conditions are improving
- Quality is good; soft shoulders and green tips have been reported
- Expect markets to remain steady
- MFC Strawberries will begin shipping Wednesday, May 15
Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.
©2024 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.