Memorial Day and graduation celebrations were the main promotions seen in stores this week. Watermelons, cantaloupes, cherries, corn, peaches, cucumbers, asparagus, tomatoes, lettuce, avocados, and onions were just a few of the featured specials geared toward celebrating shoppers.
Total ad numbers this week were 262,587, a 4% increase from last week's total of 251,348. The total for the same week last year was 5% higher than for this year. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 129,561 (49% of all ads), onions and potatoes 25,051 (10%), vegetables 102,644 (39%), herbs 1,359, ornamentals 1,584, and hemp 2,388. The number of ads for organic produce was 29,889, 11% 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 seedless watermelons (each) at 15% and cantaloupes (each) at 12%. Significant decreases included avocados at 30%, Navel oranges (3 lb.) at 28%, and tangerines (3 lb.) at 13%.
Significant increases in price for onions and potatoes this week included only yellow sweet onions (per lb.) at 13%. There were no decreases. Significant increases in price for vegetables this week included cucumbers (each) at 18%, Roma tomatoes (per lb.) at 14%, and asparagus at 10%. Significant decreases included on-the-vine tomatoes at 19%, yellow bell peppers at 15%, and corn at 12%.
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Source: mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov