This week, Vidalia onions from Georgia were front and center as local deals entered the marketplace. Texas and Hawaii had their state branded sweet onions featured as well. Florida watermelons and strawberries met up with North Carolina zucchini, yellow squash, and strawberries to offer shoppers an early taste of fresh summer produce. Corn, cantaloupes, bell peppers, packaged salads, and tomatoes reminded customers of upcoming summer get-togethers and cookouts.
Total ad numbers this week were 271,308, an 11% decrease from last week's 305,303. The total for the same week last year was 11% higher than for this year. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 133,089 (49% of all ads), onions and potatoes 21,687 (8%), vegetables 112,100 (41%), herbs 1,121, ornamentals 961, and hemp 2,350. The number of ads for organic produce was 47,016, 17% 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 this week included Pink Lady/Cripps Pink apples (3 lb. bag) at 53%, miniature seedless watermelons at 25%, cantaloupes at 17%, red seedless grapes at 16%, and raspberries at 12%.
Significant decreases included only white seedless grapes at 25%. Significant increases in price for onions and potatoes this week included only yellow sweet onions at 19%. There were no significant decreases.
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Source: mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov