This week produce aisles were bursting with new crop goodness, just in time for graduation celebrations across the country. Locally grown watermelons, tomatoes, peaches, corn, cucumbers, squash, and cherries were all on sale for get-togethers with family and friends. Ribs, steaks, burgers, and cheese were featured in flyers alongside lettuce, tomatoes, and onions for grilled meals. Fruit and vegetable party trays offered another way to enjoy fresh produce at celebrations. Patriotic mums and celebratory floral arrangements were showcased for both Memorial Day and graduation gifts.
Total ad numbers this week were 276,847, a 2% decrease from last week's 282,216. 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 136,669 (49% of all ads), onions and potatoes 24,541 (9%), vegetables 110,961 (40%), herbs 1,159, ornamentals 2,131, and hemp 1,386. The number of ads for organic produce was 40,253, 15% 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 Honeycrisp apples at 41%, red cherries at 37%, yellow peaches at 29%, blueberries (conventional and organic both at 11%), cantaloupes at 10%, and mangoes at 10%.
Significant decreases included only red seedless grapes at 15%. Significant increases in price for onions and potatoes this week included only sweet yellow onions at 11%. There were no significant decreases. Significant increases in price for vegetables this week included on-the-vine tomatoes at 33%, corn at 28%, packaged salad (10-12 oz) at 24%, and broccoli crowns at 19%. There were no significant decreases.
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Source: mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov