The cabbage market on the West Coast is shifting towards varieties that demonstrate heat tolerance, high-quality yields, and fewer harvest passes. With rising temperatures, growers need reliable cabbage varieties that thrive in these conditions, catering to both fresh markets and processing.
Leading this trend is Romanov, the top red cabbage variety for processors. Known for its excellent field-holding capacity, Romanov resists splitting, offers high yields, and matures in 90 days. It features compact, high, round heads with minimal
wrapper leaves, making it easy to harvest and highly resistant to bolting and cracking.
Another standout variety is Cali, an early white cabbage with a strong performance in mid-spring through mid-autumn in California, while in the Yuma and Imperial Valley, mid-autumn through mid-spring. Cali’s uniform heads, dense planting potential, and resistance to Fusarium make it ideal for the fresh market, producing heads between 3-5 lbs that attract consumers.
Both Romanov and Cali provide the adaptability, resilience, and yield potential needed to thrive in the ever-evolving West Coast market, offering growers flexible solutions for both fresh and processing needs.
