Blueberries

• South American volume is low due to weather-related issues that occurred early in the season as well as unloading delays at the Port of Long Beach, California
• Port delays are averaging two to five days
• Peruvian supplies are increasing and will become the main source for the next several months
• Mexican production began last month; volume is low but will increase each week

Broccoli Markets

Salinas Valley and Santa Maria

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Broccoli is available
• Stocks are expected to remain tight over the next several weeks
• Cool weather is forecast to slow growth, resulting in fewer available supplies over the next two weeks
• Expect elevated markets through October

Mexican Broccoli (Crossing into South Texas)

• Stocks will be very limited over the next several weeks
• Heavy rain has reduced yields in the primary growing region
• Demand is extremely strong out of this region due to the freight savings (compared to ordering from California)
• Expect high prices to persist through October

Green Beans

• Georgia’s new fall crops are up and running for the month of October

• Rain could hinder production this week
• Quality is very good
• Central Mexico is providing additional supply to supplement Baja volume this week; production will start in mainland Mexico in mid-November
• California will see cooler weather this week, lowering yields; expect new crop harvesting to start in the Imperial Valley in two to three weeks
• Production is ending in New York, Tennessee, and Ohio
• Expect prices to remain steady this week

Green Leaf, Iceberg, and Romaine

• MFC Premium Green Leaf and Romaine are available
• MFC Premium Iceberg is sporadic; Markon Best Available is being substituted as needed
• Weather fluctuations and increased disease pressure are challenging Salinas Valley yields and carton weights
  • Cooler-than-normal temperatures are forecast over the next two weeks; field growth will slow, further limiting supplies
  • Disease pressure, including Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus and Sclerotinia, is more prominent at this point in the season, reducing harvestable yields; harvesting crews are culling affected heads from final packs
• Quality is good
  • Limited amounts of fringe burn, internal burn, and seeder are being detected at the field level
  • Mildew pressure is increasing
• Iceberg harvesting will begin in Huron in mid- to late October; green leaf, iceberg, and romaine production will begin in the Arizona/California desert by early to mid- November
• Most suppliers are holding contracts to averages
• Expect elevated markets through October

Idaho Potatoes

New Crop Norkotahs

• Size continues to be dominated by 40- to 70-count packs; 90- and 100-count supplies are limited
• Quality is good: occasional skinning, excess moisture, and cooler mold may be observed in fresh-run potatoes
• U.S. No. 2 production remains low, as potatoes that would normally meet No. 1 grade are being packed to meet demand for No. 2 grade orders; No. 2 supplies will increase once potatoes are shipped out of storage

New Crop Burbanks

• Limited quantities of fresh-run, packer label Burbank potatoes will be available for shipment next week
• Once the harvest is complete, Burbank potatoes will be cellared in order to go through the sweat process, then will start shipping in early November

Oranges

• MFC and Markon Essentials California Valencia Oranges are available
• Heat, dehydration, and gas times are taking a toll on the quality of late-season fruit
• Expect extremely limited Valencia supplies until the Navel season begins
  • Small-size fruit (113- to 138-count oranges) will be scarce for the rest of the Valencia season
  • Prices are high
• Quality concerns include re-greening and decay due to above-normal temperatures through the summer months
• The California Navel season will begin in late October/early November, depending on weather

Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) Broccoli

• Inconsistent weather patterns have slowed growth in the Salinas Valley and Santa Maria growing regions
• Rain continues to drive disease and pests, lowering overall yields in the Guanajuato growing region of Mexico
• Overall quality is good: pin rot is affecting some lots
• Supplies are extremely limited out of all areas; demand exceeds supply
• Expect elevated prices for the next 10 to 14 days until production is able to sufficiently meet current demand

RSS Cabbage

• Supplies are limited due to inconsistent weather patterns in the Salinas Valley
  • High temperatures earlier in the season damaged younger plantings
  • Recent cooler weather has hindered growth
• Overall quality is good; however, worm damage is reducing harvestable yields at the field level
• Size profile is small as growers are roughly 7 to 10 days ahead of harvest schedules; additionally, growers are harvesting fields earlier to minimize insect pressure
• Expect elevated markets and tight supplies for the duration of the Salinas season; the Arizona/California Desert season will begin in mid- to late November

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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