This commodity profile was rendered from
knowledge.domain = commodity, key = lettuce(GDF v2.0, 3796 attributes, 28 sections).Renderer:
commodity_profile_rendererv1.0.0. Source row version:knowledge_forge_gdf_v2.0_export_2026-04-06.
Identity & Botany
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Canonical name | Lettuce |
| Scientific name | Lactuca sativa |
| Family / Genus | Asteraceae / Lactuca |
| Produce category | Leafy Green |
| Produce subcategory | Salad Green |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| PLU — conventional | 4061 |
| PLU — organic | 94061 |
| AGROVOC URI | c_4236 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 450.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Iceberg | 35% | Tight, compact heads with crisp texture; pale green color; mild flavor; excellent shipping qualities |
| Romaine (Cos) | 28% | Elongated heads with crisp ribs; dark green outer leaves; sweet flavor; heat-tolerant |
| Butterhead (Boston/Bibb) | 8% | Loose, tender heads; soft, buttery texture; sweet, mild flavor; delicate leaves |
| Green Leaf | 10% | Loose-leaf type; broad, ruffled leaves; tender texture; mild flavor; no head formation |
| Red Leaf | 7% | Loose-leaf type; burgundy-tinged leaves; tender texture; slightly nutty flavor; attractive color |
| Red Romaine | 4% | Elongated heads with red-tinged leaves; crisp texture; sweeter than green romaine; attractive presentation |
| Oak Leaf | 2% | Loose-leaf type; deeply lobed leaves resembling oak leaves; tender texture; mild flavor; available in green and red |
| Little Gem | 2% | Mini romaine type; compact heads; sweet, crisp texture; nutty flavor; increasing popularity |
| Lolla Rossa | 1% | Loose-leaf type; deeply frilled red leaves; tender texture; mild flavor; ornamental appearance |
| Batavian (Summer Crisp) | 2% | Loose heads; crisp texture; heat-tolerant; sweet flavor; combines crisphead and loose-leaf traits |
| Black Seeded Simpson | 0.5% | Loose-leaf type; bright green, crinkled leaves; tender texture; fast-growing; heat-tolerant heirloom |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s04_varieties.variety_summaries.
Post-Harvest Handling
Temperature
- Chilling injury threshold: null°F.
- Freezing point: 31.7°F. Hard limit.
- Handling urgency: 5 / 5.
Ethylene
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Production class | very_low |
| Production rate (20°C) | 0.3 μL/kg·h typical (0.1–0.5) |
| Sensitivity class | moderate |
| Sensitivity threshold | 0.5 ppm |
| Climacteric? | No |
Agent note: CRITICAL: Lettuce develops russet spotting (brown speckling) within 24-48 hours at ethylene levels >0.5 ppm. Do NOT co-transport with apples, pears, tomatoes, melons, or bananas. Visual damage makes product unmarketable.
Mixed-load compatibility
group_1_leafy_greens
Operational flags
- Can be top-iced? Yes
- Light-sensitive? Yes
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s07_harvest_post_harvest.
Market Intelligence
Demand
Declining long-term for iceberg (-2% annually); strong growth for romaine and specialty varieties (+4-6% annually). Increased demand for value-added packaged salads and organic options. Foodservice recovery post-pandemic driving wholesale demand.
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -0.85 |
| Income elasticity | 0.35 |
| Organic premium elasticity | -1.2 |
Market share by variety
| Variety | Share |
|---|---|
| Iceberg | 42% |
| Romaine | 28% |
| Leaf (Green and Red) | 18% |
| Butterhead/Bibb | 6% |
| Other (Spring Mix, Baby Lettuce, Specialty) | 6% |
Pack sizes
- 24-head carton (~22-26 lbs)
- 12-count romaine (~18-20 lbs)
- Leaf lettuce cartons (~12-18 lbs)
- Consumer bags (5 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz)
- Foodservice bulk (20-30 lb cases)
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
Rendered by commodity_profile_renderer v1.0.0 on 2026-05-15T22:30:00.000Z.