Peaches, nectarines, and cherries were some of the sweetest deals this week, as fruit ads increased in preparation for Independence Day celebrations. Berries got in on the action too, with patriotically colored strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries ripe and ready for desserts and salads. Summer favorites like melons, corn, zucchini, and cucumbers were popular. Burger fixings such as tomatoes, lettuce, and onions were advertised alongside ground beef and buns. Mums and gladiolas brightened up floral departments, and many flyers featured 4th of July party supplies and fireworks.
Total ad numbers this week were 307,608, a 5% increase from last week's 291,936. The total for the same week last year was 8% higher than for this year. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 182,072 (59% of all ads), onions and potatoes 15,661 (5%), vegetables 105,960 (34%), herbs 1,190, ornamentals 873, and hemp 1,852. The number of ads for organic produce was 52,082, 17% of total ads.
The following are the prices of major advertised items (3,000 plus stores) this week, compared to the same week last year. Significant increases in price for fruit this week included red cherries at 41%, avocados at 18%, cantaloupes at 17%, 1-pint blueberries at 10%, and apple juice at 10%.
Significant decreases included only blackberries at 15%, black seedless grapes at 14%, and strawberries at 14%. Significant changes in price for onions and potatoes this week included only a 14% increase for sweet yellow onions (per pound). Significant increases in price for vegetables this week included corn at 27%, on-the-vine tomatoes at 20%, bell peppers (red at 18%, yellow at 11%, orange at 10%), and seedless cucumbers at 11%. The sole significant decrease was for cucumbers at 19%.
Click here to read the full report.
Source: mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov