News and Stories

Prices for commodity green leaf, iceberg, and romaine continue to rise as supplies remain very tight during the transitional period from the Salinas Valley growing region to the Arizona/California desert. Abnormally hot weather in the Salinas Valley matured crops ending the season sooner than anticipated. Hot weather and heavy rains during plantings in Yuma, Arizona have caused internal burn, light carton weights, ribby texture, seeder, and small sizing resulting in tight supplies and low yields at the start of the season. The majority of the industry will completely transition to the Yuma/California desert by the end of November. 

Iceberg

• Markon First Crop (MFC) Premium Iceberg Lettuce is not available; Markon Best Available (MBA) is being substituted
• Harvest is almost complete in Salinas; Huron and Yuma are the main growing areas for iceberg harvest
• Growth crack, internal burn, low carton weights, ribby texture, odd shape, and seeder are issues reducing yields
• Prices are rising into the high twenties to low thirties
• Expect elevated markets through the next several weeks

Green Leaf and Romaine

• MFC Green Leaf and Romaine are sporadic; MBA will be substituted as necessary 
• Prices for romaine are climbing to the mid-twenties; green leaf will rise into the high teens
• More growers will be harvesting in Yuma, Arizona next week as Salinas finishes up production
• Quality is good
• Minimal defects are being reported
• Expect tight supplies and elevated markets for the next several weeks 

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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