Tag: weather

In response to heavy rains impacting both Central and Southern Chile, the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX) said they are assessing damage in growing areas and the impact on water storage and irrigation infrastructure, as well as evaluating support actions to communities impacted by the rain.

Iceberg and leaf lettuce crops in California’s Salinas Valley are experiencing some challenges related to disrupted planting schedules back in March caused by heavy rains/flooding as well as cool, humid conditions over the past two weeks.

The California water picture has gotten enormous amounts of attention from both the agricultural press and the general media, but most of this has focused on the San Joaquin Valley and the Yuma Valley on the Arizona border. The Salinas Valley, the “nation’s salad bowl,” has water issues of its own, but they are very different.

The U.S. has a nearly 90 percent chance of seeing El Nino weather trends persist this summer. So what does that mean for fresh produce? In general, this means the South can expect cooler and wetter than average weather (welcome news for non-snowbird Florida residents), and the North can expect dryer and warmer than average weather.

Supply levels will plummet further than expected for the next two weeks. California will ship historically low volume, while production in Florida and Mexico (into South Texas) is coming to an end. The industry will be in an extreme demand-exceeds-supply situation for the next two weeks.

As a stupendous rainy season moves toward its end for California, some have been attempting to measure the costs of the damages.

Rain is expected in all California growing regions starting Tuesday, March 21 through Wednesday, March 22.

The voluminous rains brought to California by a series of atmospheric rivers have leveled off for the time being.

Western iceberg and romaine markets suffer from the cold, but lettuce prices remain unaffected. However, growers are reporting cold-related injuries such as blisters, peeling, and pink ribbing. 

It’s not every day that snow in LA County is responsible for flight delays across the U.S. Winter storm Piper brought heavy wind, rain, and, yes, snow to So-Cal this past weekend.