Markon inspectors continue to evaluate commodity and value-added items in the Arizona/California desert region after a series of storms saturated crops and caused significant harvesting and production challenges over the past two weeks.
Prior to all the recent rains, some growers were pushing their crops (adding fertilizer) to promote faster growth in the demand-exceeds supply conditions that ushered in the desert season. The combination of fertilizer, warm weather, and rain amounts that were well above seasonal norms, has affected some varieties more than others. Below are some of the most prevalent issues being observed:
- Bottom rot in lettuce crops
- Long core/seeder in certain romaine varieties
- Increased mildew pressure
- Pin rot and yellow/brown bead in broccoli
- Premature pinking in commodity and value-added lettuces, particularly in shredded lettuce
- Yellowing in tender leaf items such as arugula and spinach
- Reduced shelf-life performance
- Waterlogged products
- Occurs when plants which have absorbed too much water prior to harvest, and then release the water after processing, creating a wet, soggy finished product
As the fields continue to dry out, quality will slowly improve. Current conditions are cool and windy, with a chance for lettuce ice over the next few mornings, but no rain in the forecast until possibly December 14.
Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.
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