High prices persist for leaf, iceberg and romaine lettuce markets in early November, but volume is ramping up in desert growing regions.
In a crop update this week, Markon Cooperative {{BB #:123315}} says rain in Huron, Oxnard, Salinas, and Santa Maria, CA, on November 7-8 has further tightened the remaining supply.
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“Suppliers of all three commodities have not been able to fulfill 100 percent of their weekly contract commitments or regular open-market business over the past six weeks,” Markon said, which has led to record prices.
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“Production in Oxnard, Salinas and Santa Maria, California will continue through next week. Huron production is anticipated to finish this week;
Quality challenges including bottom rot, mildew pressure, premature pinking, and shortened shelf life may be observed in finished packs following the recent rain events;
Many suppliers started harvest in the desert regions of Yuma, Arizona and Imperial Valley, California this week; production will continue to ramp up over the next two weeks;
Initial quality in the Arizona/California desert regions is very good; light weights, seeder, and wind damage are present in some of the first lots;
Expect markets to remain firm through the end of this week; markets will begin to soften next week as supplies in the Arizona/California desert increase.”