Though prices for Romaine lettuce from California have been relatively steady, there have been minor blips in the market. There is the possibility that those small points could lead to a slight supply gap later in the season.“Because of a lack of rain, because of the earliness of the deal, a lot of product came on fast,” said Michael Boggiatto of Boggiatto Produce. “That might be contributing to slightly lower yields. It's almost unnoticeable to individual growers, but overall supplies could be slightly down.” The lack of a cold, wet winter also meant that field pests had an easier time of it, and, as a result, more product could be set aside because of quality issues.
Boggiatto noted that supply and demand this year have largely been in step with each other, though he noticed a slight uptick this month. On May 7, prices for a carton of Romaine lettuce 24s were between $9.75 and $10.95 out of Oxnard, and prices for a carton of 24s out of Salinas were between $10.00 and $15.56. Out of Santa Maria, a carton of 24s ranged in price from $13.35 to $13.75.
While there are no supply gaps right now, the early start to the season could result in some gaps later. Boggiatto explained that once growers start on a field early it can push the entire harvesting schedule forward to the point where production is eventually stopped until the product is ready to pick.
“You cut heavier than normal, and then you're into the next field a little earlier, and the next, and pretty soon you're into fields that are too young, and then you have a gap,” said Boggiatto. “There looks to be a possible gap toward the end of the month, and if that happens, the price might be higher.”
For more information:
Michael Boggiatto
Boggiatto Produce
+1 831 424 4864