As California’s Salinas Valley growing season comes to an end, the produce industry is entering a challenging transition period. The shift to winter growing regions, combined with crop damage and the spread of Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV), is creating significant supply and quality concerns for lettuce. Shorter shelf life, inconsistent availability and unusually high prices are expected over the coming weeks.

These industry-wide challenges are expected to continue through the transition, with improved growing conditions anticipated as production shifts to Yuma, Arizona, in late November.

Growing Region Transition

Each fall, produce production shifts from California’s Salinas Valley to winter growing regions, including Yuma, Arizona. As the Salinas season winds down, fewer fields are available for harvesting, limiting supply and putting additional pressure on pricing.

With other growing regions also finishing their seasons, demand for the remaining Western supply is increasing. Quality and availability challenges are expected to be especially significant through early November.

Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV)

INSV is an insect-spread plant virus affecting lettuce crops in California’s Salinas Valley. The virus can cause lettuce to deteriorate rapidly, with damage appearing in the field or developing as browning and breakdown after harvest.

Prolonged heat and dry conditions have added further stress to affected crops, contributing to inconsistent quality and reduced shelf life. Chopped lettuce and romaine are particularly susceptible to rapid deterioration after processing.