Markon inspectors have been busy assessing value-added broccoli, and lettuce items after the last few weeks of erratic weather in the Arizona/California desert growing region. Multiple rain events in November were followed by unseasonably warm conditions in early-mid December, then another round of showers and cool/windy conditions during the Christmas holiday.
More showers are forecast for Wednesday, December 31, and Thursday, January 1, with roughly another quarter inch possible. Although overall quality, maturity and shelf-life potential are all improving, we still expect to see some weather-related challenges for the next 1-2 weeks.
Below are some of the defects being observed in key value-added items:
Broccoli
- Mildew pressure
- Pin rot
- Oxidation
- Shortened shelf-life
Iceberg/Leaf Lettuce
- Bottom rot
- Mildew pressure
- Premature pinking
- Rib blight
- Shortened shelf-life
- Weak tip
Markon inspectors will continue to monitor conditions and will update further in the days ahead.
Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.
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