Lettuce prices drop 16.4% in July amid cyclospora outbreak fears, largest monthly fall on record

Lettuce prices fell sharply by 16.4% in July, marking the largest one-month decline on record, driven by consumer avoidance due to a multistate cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated lettuce. Despite this drop, prices remain about 7.5% higher than a year ago, influenced earlier by rising fertilizer and labor costs. The outbreak has also impacted sales at restaurant chains like Cava, Sweetgreen, Chipotle, and Taco Bell, with some reporting reduced demand and sales impacts. While the price drop might seem beneficial for shoppers, ongoing food safety concerns are limiting consumer purchases, suggesting cautious recovery ahead.