According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, high fuel prices are of particular concern to the trucking industry, upon which specialty crop producers rely to get their produce to market.
Some of the increased transportation costs are absorbed by the producers themselves, who may receive less income for the same amount of product since it will cost more to ship. The remainder of the increase is generally passed on to consumers in the form of price increases as well as package shrinkage.
Asparagus crossings from Mexico through Arizona, California, and Texas movement is expected to remain about the same. Trading was very slow, with prices representing very few spot market sales and generally unchanged. 11-pound cartons/crates bunched green jumbo 36.75-38.75, large mostly 32.75-34.75, and standard mostly 28.75-30.75. Prices represent very few spot market sales.
A wide range in quality is reported, and extra services are included. The movement of asparagus from Peru imports through South Florida ports of entry is expected to remain about the same. Trading standards are slow, small, very slow, others moderate. Prices jumbo slightly lower, extra-large lower, others generally unchanged. 11-pound cartons bunched green jumbo mostly 40.75-41.95, extra-large mostly 36.75-40.85, large mostly 32.95-34.75, standard mostly 28.75-30.95 and small mostly 14.75-17.75.
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Source: mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov
