Warm weather has caused cilantro plants to grow quickly and made some of the product undesirable for the retail market. That's led to light supplies, which, in turn, has resulted in strong prices.“Especially with the heat, cilantro gets seeders coming out quickly,” said Hugo Ramos with King Produce. “It's normal that this happens because of the heat, that cilantro gets seeds in it.” What has been abnormal is that seeders are sprouting more often and at a younger stage in the plant growth cycle. That's limited the amount of cilantro free of seeds, which is the kind of cilantro retailers want.
“Supplies are low,” noted Ramos, “and prices have jumped because of the demand out there.” On August 18, prices for a carton of bunched 30s from California's Central Coast were between $14.45 and $18.00, and prices for a carton of bunched 60s were between $17.45 and $20.85. Ramos thinks these prices will prompt greater production, which will likely lead to lower prices in the future.
“Everyone plants more as prices go up, and they'll also start harvesting cilantro sooner so that they don't have those seeders,” said Ramos. “I think that will happen in the next two or three weeks.”
For more information:
Hugo Ramos
King Produce
+1 805 647 1034