All major West Coast growing regions such as Salinas, Santa Maria, and Oxnard, California are experiencing a heat wave that will intensify this weekend and carry into mid-next week.
Salinas Valley is expecting temperatures in the mid-80°s near the coast and inland temperatures facing several days of 105°-112°. Santa Maria and Oxnard temperatures will remain in the mid-70°s to upper 80°s. As a result, harvesting crews will start much earlier over the next week to avoid peak temperatures. Markon inspectors will monitor product closely for heat-related challenges that may include, but are not limited to:
- Bolting/seeder
- Bruising/soft texture in strawberries
- Dehydration/wilting
- Discoloration/yellowing leaves, particularly in baby leaf items that are sensitive to rapid temperature fluctuations
- Growth cracks
- Hollow core and pin rot in broccoli
- Increased disease/plant virus pressure
- Increased insect pressure
- Aphids
- Diamondback Moth
- Thrips
- Internal burn/tip burn
- Shortened shelf-life in commodity and value-added lettuce and tender leaf items
Markon inspectors will continue to work with suppliers, evaluating commodity and value-added items while working to minimize heat-related challenges. As always, cold chain management throughout the supply chain is critical for maximizing the quality and shelf-life of perishable produce items.
Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.
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