In the US, Labor Day was most definitely the focus of ads across the country this week. Everything shoppers needed for the last cookout of the summer was featured, such as cantaloupe, corn, portobello mushrooms, yellow and zucchini squash, asparagus, pineapples, and watermelons.
New crop apples from Washington made their first appearance this week even as summer tree fruit was highly advertised. Locally grown produce abounded as harvests are peaking in many areas. School supplies were still showcased in back to school ads.
Total ad numbers this week were 421,199, a 22% increase from last week’s 344,132. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 242,113 (57% of all ads), onions and potatoes 31,153 (7%), vegetables 141,994 (34%), herbs 1,134, and ornamentals 4,805. The number of ads for organic produce was 52,608, 12% of total ads.
The following are the prices of major advertised items (3,000 plus stores) this week, compared to the same week last year.
Significant increases in price for fruit items this week included seedless organic grapes (white at 21%, black at 15%) and raspberries at 10%. Significant decreases included yellow organic peaches at 21% and clementines at 16%.
Significant increases in potatoes and onions for this week included only yellow sweet onions at 17%; there were no significant decreases. Significant increases in price for vegetables this week included grape tomatoes at 35%, cucumbers at 30%, and corn at 10%. Significant decreases included only yellow squash at 23% and zucchini at 11%.
