Slowed growth and reduced yields have led to setbacks for California celery growers through November and December, causing prices to spike in the face of seasonal demand.Russ Widerburg, Sales Manager of Boskovich Farms, says that celery growing conditions haven’t been ideal throughout the state. “We started with decreased yields due to some ground disease,” Widerburg says, adding that celery yields have dropped from around 1500 cartons per acre to between 1100 and 1200. “That coupled with this cooler weather has slowed everything down.”
Poor performance by celery in recent years has also affected supply levels. “The celery market in general for growers hasn’t been real good the past few years,” Widerburg notes, “so growers aren’t planting any extra acreage.”
Seasonal demand impacts market
This year’s crop health and weather issues have coincided with the holiday season, further complicating the market’s problems. Widerburg says that the supply side of the market failed to fully recover after strong demand seasonal for the Thanksgiving holiday. “Even after Thanksgiving, supplies were pretty short. Normally you have a little bit of a lull after Thanksgiving.”
Widerburg continues, “Now, with the increased demand for Christmas, that’s pushed the market even higher.”
Highest prices in 15 years
The combination of low supply and high demand has pushed celery to unusually high prices. “We’re in the mid-40s now,” Widerburg says, quoting a market price of $44.95 on 24 and 30 count cartons. While he notes that prices usually spike between mid-November and early January, Widerburg says prices typically top out at $20.
“We haven’t seen a $40.00 celery market in 15 years.”
Conditions expected to continue
Supply issues are expected to continue in the coming weeks, as Widerburg says that growers from nearby regions are expected to make a late entry into the market. “There will be some product starting in the Southern California Desert and Arizona,” says Widerburg, “but we’re hearing they’re starting late due to the cooler weather.”
With seasonal demand expected to remain high and cool weather keeping supplies depressed, it’s unlikely the market will ease much before January. Says Widerburg, “At this point, I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t see a sustained market into the New Year.”
For more information:
Russ Widerburg
Boskovich Farms
Tel: +1 (805) 487-7799