The spring lettuce crop in California's Salinas Valley developed well by mid-July, with harvest operations progressing smoothly. Following this, late-season produce will commence swiftly as preparations for fall and winter crops in the desert are pending.
Monterey County's 2024 lettuce crop reached a momentous value. The two main lettuce categories are noted in the Monterey County Department of Agriculture's report: leaf and head. Leaf lettuce topped the region's leafy greens at over $933 million in gross receipts. Overall, leafy greens, including head lettuce, spring mixes, and kale, accounted for over $1.6 billion. The total crop value for Monterey surpassed $4.99 billion that year.
The Salinas Valley, often referred to as the "Salad Bowl of the World," supports two vegetable crops per season, typically from April to October. In 2024, the area saw improvements over the previous year, which was impacted by the Salinas River floods. Favorable weather conditions in 2024 benefited farmers.
Ryan Kelly, VP and GM of Boutonnet Farms, noted an uptick in market prices after seeing challenges in the desert's winter season. "The majority of the desert deal was in the dumps with really depressed markets," Kelly remarked. The market's recovery was partly due to the disrupted Mexican crop, which influenced Salinas prices positively.
By mid-season, growers observed better price conditions. Insect pressures, such as from the Diamondback Moth, necessitate scouting to manage pests, especially near Brussels sprouts harvested in October.
"This year we've had a few early struggles for the most part in the northern end of the Salinas Valley," Kelly commented. "The crop here has been pretty clean."
Source: FarmProgress
