Growers in Michigan began harvesting carrots this month, and production has been light during the first weeks. Movement has been slow, and big production likely won't happen until sales improve.“We started harvesting about a week early,” said Joe Pirrone of Mike Pirrone Produce. “We had a cool June, and carrots like cool weather.” That cool weather brought on carrots quickly, and for growers who were able to handle the big rainstorms that hit the state, the fields are in excellent shape. But Pirrone said growers are in no rush to churn out big volumes just yet.
“Prices are not cheap, but movement is not where we want it to be,” said Pirrone. “I think if we lowered prices we wouldn't sell one more carrot. It's just about the time of year – just how people don't buy Christmas trees in September, movement will pick up when the season changes and people start to cook differently.” The price for a sack of carrots has been in the $13.00 to $15.00 range, and Pirrone believes sales are likely to pick up the week after Labor Day.
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Joe Pirrone
Mike Pirrone Produce