Desert broccoli and lettuce quality improves

Markon Cooperative BB #:123315 released this broccoli, lettuce and leaf crop report December 30, 2025:

Commodity 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.

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

Markon inspectors will continue to monitor conditions and will update further in the days ahead.

Please contact your Markon Account Manager for more information.