Vegetable prices in the US increased by 43 percent in November

The biggest news in the industry this fall is the staggering price hike in vegetables that was recorded in November.“The November advance in prices for final demand goods was led by a 38.1-percent jump in the index for fresh and dry vegetables,” reports the U.S. Labor Statistics. “The index for fresh vegetables (except potatoes) jumped 43.1 percent.”The most visible crop to be affected is lettuce. The Salinas Valley has seen a severe drop in production as a result of a widespread infection by Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) and Pythium wilt. Effects of the two pathogens resemble each other, so it is often hard to tell what caused the death of a specific lettuce plant. Furthermore, one may encourage the growth of the other. Viruses devastate Salinas Valley lettuce (farmprogress.com)There is no known cure for these diseases, and sprays for thrips—their main vector—have limited success.“It’s gotten worse every year, but this year has been particularly devastating,” says Kenneth ...