Many retailers opted to delay releasing new ads until the new year, resulting in a lower total ad count this week. Nonetheless, flyers were sparkling with colorful ads for party favorite foods, décor, and libations. Limes and lemons showed up strong for New Year's drinks and seafood dinners.
Avocados were far and away the most advertised produce item this week and were joined by jalapenos, cilantro, and tomatoes for guacamole making. Baby carrots, cucumbers, celery, and bell peppers were popular for making vegetable trays. Greens and cabbage were featured for traditional New Year's Eve dinners, often accompanied by sales on black-eyed peas or beans.
Total ad numbers this week were 244,399, an 8% decrease from last week's total of 265,372. The total for the same week last year, when an abbreviated report was released, was 6% higher than for this year. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 133,031 (54% of all ads), onions and potatoes 23,494 (10%), vegetables 83,344 (34%). The number of ads for organic produce was 30,645, 13% of total ads.
The following are the prices of major advertised items (3,000 plus ads) this week, compared to the same week last year. Significant increases in price for fruit this week included clementines (3 lb. bag) at 23% and organic Gala apples (2 lb. bag) at 14%. Significant decreases included tangerines (3 lb. bag) at 18% and avocados at 13%. There were no significant changes this week for potatoes and onions. There were no significant increases in price for vegetables this week. Significant decreases included only organic baby carrots (1 lb. bag) at 23%.
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Source: mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov