Insect pressure continues to be an industry-wide challenge across the Arizona/California desert regions due to an abnormally warm winter that is now impacting late-season quality and shelf-life. Desert lettuce and tender leaf supplies are wrapping up this week and processors will be breaking down and moving their production equipment back to the Salinas Valley over the next few days.

Quality and shelf-life performance in commodity and value-added items is expected to improve substantially as suppliers begin sourcing from the Salinas Valley this weekend and into early next week, supported by cooler growing conditions.

However, expected rain in Salinas, Santa Maria, and Oxnard over the next several days may create short-term harvesting and production challenges, with potential for rain-related quality impacts until conditions stabilize.

Ordering for quick turns is recommended, and, as always, cold-chain management throughout the supply chain is critical to maximizing quality and shelf-life.

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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