US shoppers are ready to have some Cinco de Mayo fun, and retailers have all the necessary supplies. Roma tomatoes, jalapenos, cilantro, onions, garlic, tomatillos, limes, mangos, and avocados were displayed together this week, providing customers with a convenient source for salsa and guacamole ingredients. Cantaloupes, corn, and watermelon were on hand for warm weather cookouts, and with Mother's Day around the corner, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries were popular for homemade brunch or delicious cocktails.
This week's total ad numbers were 280,744, a 3% increase from last week's 271,308. The total for the same week last year was 8% higher. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 130,516 (46% of all ads), onions and potatoes 24,402 (9%), vegetables 119,571 (43%), herbs 4,455, ornamentals 428, and hemp 1,372. The number of ads for organic produce was 35,130, 13% 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 black seedless grapes at 53%, avocados at 23%, cantaloupes at 18%, and pineapples at 17%. There were no significant decreases. Significant increases in price for onions and potatoes this week included only yellow sweet onions at 12%. There were no significant decreases. Significant increases in price for vegetables this week included corn at 51%, on-the-vine tomatoes at 33%, and packaged salad (5-9 oz at 25%, 10-12 oz at 14%). There were no significant decreases.
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Source: mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov