As we move towards the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, growers have been assessing the effects of the recent cold conditions in Arizona and California. Leaf items were hit hardest by last week’s cold temps, most notably Romaine, Chuck Manfre, Sales Manager, Growers Express tells AndNowUKnow. He notes that prices are down now with trading in the $7.95 range with fewer volume deals but Manfre expects to see some impact on leaf items for about the next 3 weeks.

The warmer weather preceding last week’s cold spell really brought product on, he notes; as for last year’s pricing for this same time frame, we’re pretty close if not right on for Leaf items. He did note that Cauliflower is around the $22.00 and Broccoli is in the $10.00 range, brought on by holiday demand.

Russ Widerburg, Sales Manager, Boskovich Farms, tells us that the more sensitive the product, the more it was affected. Widerburg observed that Spinach, Leaf Lettuces, Cilantros, Head Lettuce, etc. were affected more than items like Broccoli, Celery, Cauliflower, Cabbages, etc.

He notes that the company hasn’t really seen market pricing react a whole lot to the ill effects of the cold. As far as Lettuce, there does appear to be some light blistering in Boskovich’s Lettuces and Leaf items, but again, pricing is being driven more by Holiday demand right now than loss of crops.

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we follow the season in the desert regions of Arizona and California.