European Market Empty of Lettuce Due to Adverse Weather Conditions

The 2022 weather patterns negatively affected several major European lettuce producers, leaving the market without sufficient supply. The drought in France and the Netherlands left major production areas without water for irrigation purposes for the new cultivation of lettuce. In Spain, beside the drought, the already planted areas that were expected to be ready for September harvesting, were hit by hailstorms (Girona Area), leaving decimated fields of lettuce. In Greece, rains from the end of August until the first week of September created quality problems such as tip burn, mildew, aphid, and caterpillars, leaving the product inadequate for commercial use. This created a perfect storm, leaving the European lettuce market empty of romaine, lollo red/green, iceberg and frisee lettuce for the whole September. Lettuce prices are at sky high levels with market players in the sector desperately looking for alternative sources and postponing Autumn retail promotions for salads.