Wet conditions during planting and the early part of the growing season have kept eggplant production in Florida limited this winter. The recent cold snaps have caused eggplants on the plant to stagnate as well. Volumes are down as much as half throughout the state, and prices have soared as a result.On January 19, prices for a carton of medium-sized eggplant from Florida were between $24.35 and $28.35. That's double what they normally are for this time of year, noted one grower based in the southern part of the state. He characterized the past few months as the rainiest fall and winter he's seen in recent memory, and that's cut his eggplant volumes in half.
Florida's eggplant season will continue through May, and volumes will likely stay low through the rest of the month. After the Florida season, production transitions up to Georgia, the Carolinas, New Jersey and then up to Michigan. But for now, prices will remain high as long as volumes from Florida are light.