Lettuce growers plowing under unsold lettuce crops 

With weak consumer demand for lettuce and other salad crops, growers are plowing under fields rather than keep supplying the market. 

“We are hearing reports across the produce industry that some grower-shippers are having to plow down iceberg lettuce and other crops as supply currently exceeds market demand,” said Mark Shaw, Vice President of Operations for Markon Cooperative {{BB #:123315}} 

“The market was already in an oversupply situation before the current Cyclospora-related challenge emerged,” he said. “However, the attention surrounding Cyclospora has further reduced demand for certain fresh produce items, particularly iceberg lettuce, as well as other commodities commonly used in fresh salads and products that consumers may associate with past Cyclospora outbreaks.” 

Michigan health officials reported two deaths associated with the Cyclospora outbreak linked to Mexican-grown lettuce and served at Taco Bell. As of July 24, the CDC expanded the outbreak to nine states and lists a total of 1,947 people infected with that outbreak. 

Michigan reports 11,234 total cases related to the Cyclospora outbreak, 193 hospitalizations, and two deaths.  

The Wall Street Journal reported on the lettuce situation, posted online July 31 and running in print on August 3.

Larry Cox of Coastline Family Farms BB #:141488 told the Journal that the company chopped up and plowed about 300,000 pounds of Romaine hearts grown in the Salinas Valley. 

Even though no lettuce is linked to the outbreak, aside from the Mexican-grown lettuce, which has been recalled, retail and foodservice customers are cutting back on orders of several lettuce varieties, leaving growers no choice but to destroy those crops. 

“We’re seeing a fundamental effect on the entire fresh produce aisle,” said Max Teplitski, chief science officer for the International Fresh Produce Association BB #:378962, in the Journal story. 

He said high-profile outbreaks can have far-reaching consequences on associated fruits or vegetables.  

Markon’s Shaw said he’s seen weaker demand for complementary salad ingredients and related produce items.  

“As consumers purchase fewer salads, this is creating less demand on commodities that were already facing abundant supplies. 

“We remain hopeful that consumer confidence will recover and normal purchasing patterns will return, allowing markets to recover and helping growers move product through the supply chain rather than leaving it in the field.”