Sweet corn supplies from Florida continue to be light due to the lingering effects of last month's heavy rains. Supplies should return to normal within two weeks, but it's not certain prices will drop significantly in January.
“It rained for seven days straight about four weeks ago, and that affected the fields,” said Emilio Mirza Khani of the Homestead Pole Bean Cooperative in Homestead, Florida. “Because of that rain, supplies are very limited and prices are higher than normal.” Prices for a crate of yellow corn have been as high as $21.95 per crate, and Mirza Khani said he's seen crates of bi-colored corn sell for as much as $23.95.
Demand for corn peaks in the summer, so high prices in January can seem uncommon. But, because winter supplies come exclusively from Florida and Mexico, production issues in either of those areas will kick up prices. Mirza Khani thinks production will return to normal in about 12 days, but that doesn't mean prices will necessarily drop immediately.
“Demand right now is about maintenance, and though people buy corn, they don't buy it like in the summertime,” he said. “But demand is good for this time of year, and if consumers continue to buy corn at a good rate and demand stays good, then I don't know if prices will fall.”
For more information:
Emilio Mirza Khani
Homestead Pole Bean Cooperative
+1 305 258 4431