Fourth of July is the premier summer holiday for sweet corn consumption, and a large portion of California's sweet corn production is grown just for the rush in demand that comes with Independence Day. But sweet corn is available from California through most of the summer, and the market that has followed in the wake of this year's July holiday has been steady.“We usually sell 35 percent of our sweet corn production for the Fourth of July,” said Mike Makredes with Stamoules Produce in Mendota, California. “This year, it might have been a little more.” He explained that corn production requires a lot of water, and California's persistent water shortages have forced growers to be very judicious with their water allocations. Less water was dedicated to the company's corn production this season, so a larger percentage of the crop was slated for the big holiday in July.
The water situation has also helped prop up prices. Corn supplies are limited by how much water is available, and with steady demand through the summer, prices have been good. On July 14, prices for a carton of yellow sweet corn from California's Central District were between $18.00 and $23.00, and prices for a carton of white corn were between $14.00 and $16.95.
“It's been an above-average market,” said Makredes. “It's going to stay pretty tight because the demand is still there for the summer months. The market will continue to be above-average until more areas can build supplies back up.”
For more information:
Mike Makredes
Stamoules Produce Company
+1 559 655 9777