Broccoli and lettuce items from the Arizona/California desert growing regions have shown much improvement after a tumultuous start to the winter growing season, but weather-related quality challenges persist, according to Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Size, weights, and overall plant maturity have improved following a warm spell in mid-December, which is helping harvesting crews to manage some of the outer leaf defects in lettuce items.
Below are some of the defects being observed in key commodity items:
Broccoli
- Mildew pressure in some lots (variety and region-specific)
- Occasional pin rot
- Uneven sizing
Iceberg/Leaf Lettuce
- Bottom rot
- Mildew pressure
- Premature pinking
- Rib blight
- Shortened shelf-life
- Weak tip
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.