Graduation and Memorial Day celebrations were the main promotions seen in stores this week. Retailers were ready with party trays, celebratory floral arrangements, and themed bakery items. A bounty of fresh produce was featured for gettogethers with family and friends. New crop cherries were abundantly advertised, along with watermelons, cantaloupes,
corn, cucumbers, sweet onions, asparagus, mangoes, tomatoes, avocados, and berries. Patriotic and Graduation-themed decorations and gifts filled out seasonal sections.
Total ad numbers this week were 283,079, a 2% increase from last week's total of 278,218. The total for the same week last year was 8% lower at 262,587. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 151,549 (54% of all ads), onions and potatoes 21,712 (8%), vegetables 103,951 (37%), herbs 817, ornamentals 2,287, and hemp 3,580. The
number of ads for organic produce was 40,697, 14% of total ads.
The following are the prices of major advertised items (3,000 plus ads) this week, compared to the same week last year. Significant increases in price for fruit this week included only avocados at 73%. Significant decreases included only Honeycrisp apples (per lb.) at 33%. There were no significant changes in price for potatoes and onions this week.
Significant increases in price for vegetables this week included long seedless cucumbers at 43%, zucchini at 24%, red bell peppers (ea.) at 21%, and on-the-vine tomatoes at 10%. Significant decreases included only corn at 10%.
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Source: https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov