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FROM THE FIELDS: WEST COAST RAIN IMPACT

April 13, 2026

Rainfall over the weekend across the Salinas Valley, Santa Maria, and Oxnard regions may result in minor production delays over the next couple of days. Anywhere from a .20” to 1.5” have been reported, mostly concentrated in the Northern Salinas Valley. Overall supply continuity is expected to remain intact, but rain-related quality and shelf-life challenges for both commodity and value‑added items, including broccoli, lettuce, strawberries, and tender leaf products may develop. Potential impacts associated with recent rainfall include, but are not limited to:

  • Bottom rot due to oversaturated ground
  • Black mold in Cauliflower
  • Mildew pressure
  • Pin rot in broccoli
  • Premature pinking/shortened shelf life
  • Rain damage/decreased yields in strawberries

Markon inspectors are actively monitoring field and product conditions and will update further as needed. 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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