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LIVE FROM THE FIELDS: Salinas Valley Quality Challenges

August 24, 2026

Please click here to view a Markon Live From the Fields video about current quality challenges in leafy greens crops from California’s Salinas Valley. Markon Frist Crop (MFC) Lettuce items are limited; Markon Best Available is being substituted as needed

  • The Salinas season is winding down
  • Long, warm days, and humid nights have caused stress on multiple veg crops
  • Soil disease and plant virus pressure is rising, causing yields to be reduced
  • Current quality challenges include, but are not limited to:
    • Decay
    • Fog burn/internal burn
    • Increased insect pressure (aphid, diamondback moth, thrip, etc.)
    • Long core/seeder
    • Mildew pressure
    • Rib blight
    • Shortened shelf-life potential
  • Additionally, deposits of light ash & soot from a wildfire in the Big Sur area have started falling on crops throughout the valley
  • Harvesting crews are trimming heavily to detect and avoid serious defects which is causing case weights to fall below normal levels
  • Markon inspectors are working with suppliers to secure the best product available for Markon orders

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for further information.

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