Hatch chiles were heavily featured this week in many areas of the country. Specials on grilling and roasting items like sweet onions, tomatoes, yellow squash, zucchini, pineapple, corn, and bell peppers were tied in with Hatch chile promotions. Deals on summer fruit were abundant, with peaches, white and red grapes, cantaloupes, blueberries, cherries, mangoes, and nectarines being among the most advertised this week. Back-to-school ads increased this week, promoting school supplies and healthy snacks like apples, baby carrots, and berries.
Total ad numbers this week were 294,605, a 3% decrease from last week's total of 304,961. The total for the same week last year was 3% lower at 287,368. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 168,493 (57% of all ads), onions and potatoes 15,947 (5%), vegetables 104,104 (35%), and herbs 739.. The number of ads for organic produce was 34,162, 12% 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 red cherries at 38%, yellow nectarines at 13%, and white nectarines at 10%. There were no significant decreases. Significant changes in price for potatoes and onions this week included only a 10% decrease for Russet potatoes (5 lb. bag). Significant increases in price for vegetables this week included yellow squash at 20%, packaged salad (5-9 oz.) at 18%, and zucchini at 13%.
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Source: mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov