Supply exceeds demand for several lettuce items out of California’s Salinas and Santa Maria Valleys due to increased soil disease and plant virus activity that has caused significant crop loss in recent weeks. Growers are harvesting immature fields to stay ahead of the die-off from these issues, which is resulting in decreased carton and bin weights.

Romaine raw product for processing is particularly challenged. Immature romaine tends to exhibit darker color from higher amounts of chlorophyll as well as thinner/weaker leaf and cell structure. When processed, this type of romaine respires at an accelerated rate, is more susceptible to bruising and mechanical damage, and has a higher potential to exhibit premature breakdown.

Markon inspectors are currently evaluating freshly processed and shelf-life retain samples of select Ready-Set-Serve (RSS) romaine-based salad items and will determine if quality-alert flyers are warranted.

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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