Summer lettuce prices mostly come down to the weather.
Why do leafy greens go first in a typhoon?
June to October (months 6 to 10) is typhoon and heavy-rain season in Taiwan. Leafy greens grow fast, but they do not like wind or standing water, and one big storm can wipe out a whole field. Growing areas are concentrated and there is little protection, so when one area is hit, the market runs short.
Prices do not jump on the same day, either. Replanting and waiting for the crop to grow take time, so the peak usually arrives two or three weeks after the storm.
Why is heat a problem too?
Lettuce likes it cool. In real heat it bolts, sending up a flower stalk, and becomes hard to grow. Taiwan's summers are hot and humid, so European-style lettuces like butter, romaine and oakleaf are almost impossible to grow in open fields. That is why Taiwan imports at least about 20,000 metric tons a year, and the amount keeps rising.
Our lettuce has limits too
Greenhouse hydroponics keeps out the wind and rain, so supply is a bit steadier than in open fields, and that is how we grow. But electricity, equipment and delivery costs all affect the price, and extreme weather can slow deliveries. So we will not promise that prices will stay the same, or that every week will be fully stocked.
A tip for summer shopping: do not be too picky about variety. The mixed salad box has a bit of everything. If you cannot finish it, stir-fry it with garlic or put it in soup, where slightly soft leaves are no problem.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the price of the same vegetable different today and next week?
Leafy greens grow fast and do not like wind and rain, so when supply shifts, wholesale prices follow. The swings are especially clear in the weeks after a storm.
Doesn't hydroponic lettuce get more expensive in summer?
It can. A greenhouse lowers the weather risk, but costs, delivery and demand all affect the price, and we do not promise prices will stay the same.
Is summer lettuce lower quality?
Heat and heavy rain make growing harder, and quality may be affected. When your order arrives, check the leaves first, and if something is wrong, contact us through the customer service steps on the site.