Millions of pounds of FL vegetables rotting in the ground
“This is a bloodbath, a serious bloodbath,” said Tony DiMare, vice president of Homestead-based DiMare Fresh.
While the crops are of good quality and quantity this year, a drop in demand is leaving farmers troubled. With Mexico becoming a major exporter of cheap vegetables growers stateside are having difficulties competing.
Retail prices for celery, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and other vegetables are down by as much as 50 percent compared to a year ago, according to the USDA’s most recent market report. That’s great for consumers, but if prices are too low, farmers can’t cover their costs, make a profit and stay in business.
“It’s happening all over with the vegetable market in general. There is not really any demand for anything. Everything is cheap and over-supplied,” Roth said.
“We’re doing half our normal volume,” Roth said. “This is probably the worst start we have had to our season. It started in November, and it has been terrible from the beginning.”
Supermarket prices this week vs. a year ago, per pound
Green cabbage: 54 cents today, $1.03 last year
Carrots: 33 cents today, $1.02 last year
Red leaf lettuce: $1.11 today, $1.53 last year
Romaine lettuce: $1.23 today, $1.73 last year
Green bell peppers: $1.42 today, $1.71 last year
Radishes: $1.03 today, $1.27 last year
Tomatoes: $1.03 today, $2.47 last year
source: palmbeachpost.com
