California’s Salinas Valley recorded roughly a quarter inch of rainfall last week and has experienced warm/humid conditions before and after that rain event. The erratic weather has caused additional stress on row crop items in the area, such as broccoli, lettuce, and tender leaf items, among others.

Both commodity and value-added supplies are expected to see an overall decline in quality and shelf-life performance until the end of the Salinas growing season in mid-November. Some of the items most susceptible to issues from the elevated humidity and recent rain are chopped or shredded lettuces and tender leaf greens.

Markon inspectors are closely monitoring for the following challenges:

• Bottom rot/decay in lettuce crops
• Increased disease pressure
• Increased mildew pressure
• Pale color in some lettuce packs due to extra trimming of damaged leaves
• Pin rot in broccoli
• Premature pinking, brown discoloration, or wilting in commodity and value-added lettuce packs
• Reduced yields
• Shortened shelf-life potential

As always, cold chain management throughout the supply chain is critical for maximizing the quality and shelf-life of perishable produce items. Ordering for quick turns is also recommended at this time.

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.

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