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California rain tightens strawberry market

markon strawberry rain 1-9-23
Photos courtesy Markon

Markon Cooperative BB #:123315 released this crop report January 9, 2023

Demand exceeds supply in all California growing regions due to rain. Expect supplies to tighten in Florida and South Texas as these regions help fill the shortages out of California.

Oxnard, California

  • This region received almost two inches of rain yesterday; most growers have canceled harvests for today and tomorrow
  • Quality continues to be a challenge; concerns include excessive bruising and pin rot
  • Forecasts call for heavy rain again Monday, January 9 and Tuesday, January 10
  • Growers will be relying on transfers of Mexican-grown fruit to supplement California shipments through mid-January at a minimum

Santa Maria, California

New crop fruit will enter the market in late January/early February

Central Mexico (Loading in South Texas)

  • Volume will be down through this week due to low temperatures
  • Quality is good; issues include white shoulders and occasional over ripening
  • Expect to see stocks tighten as Mexico fills shortages from California

Florida

  • Markon First Crop Strawberries will be available for the last half of the week
  • Plants are still recovering from previous rains and freezing temperatures
  • Quality is good; issues include white shoulders and occasional over ripening
  • Packer label will be substituted as needed
  • Expect to see stocks tighten as this region fills shortages from California
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