A cyclosporiasis outbreak has led to a decrease in the demand for lettuce in the USA.

The spread of the Cyclospora parasite, recorded in five Midwestern states, has negatively impacted the entire US salad industry. According to CDC data, the number of affected individuals has exceeded 1,600. The source of the infection was iceberg lettuce imported by Taylor Farms from central Mexico. As a result, the supplier recalled products in 27 states and suspended imports from the specified region for the remainder of the current growing season.

Against a backdrop of consumer concerns, demand for leafy greens nationwide has decreased, despite the fact that not all farms faced contamination. Farmers from the Salinas Valley in California, known as the "Salad Bowl of America," report the need to dispose of produce. Specifically, one producer was forced to plough 300,000 pounds of romaine hearts into the soil. Across the industry, demand for greens has fallen by approximately 30%.

NielsenIQ data confirms the general trend: sales of fresh lettuce from mid-June to July dropped by almost 9% compared to the same period last year. The decline in performance also affected other vegetable crops, such as carrots, spinach, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. An incident involving the use of lettuce in fast-food chains also led to a short-term sales drop of 25%.

Industry representatives note that consumers are turning away from vegetables in general due to uncertainty regarding product safety. Some producers, such as Gotham Greens, have decided not to reduce sowing, despite the difficult market environment, emphasizing the importance of vegetables in the diet.