Party trays, gift baskets, floral center pieces, and chips and dip were showcased in ads this week as shoppers prepared to celebrate New Years and football games. Avocados were the most advertised fruit this week, and were often pictured along with Roma tomatoes, jalapenos, onions, and cilantro for home-made guacamole.
Lemons and limes were featured along with berries and mangoes for lively New Years libations. Dip-friendly veggies like baby carrots, grape tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers were readily offered. Green cabbage, kale, and collards were on hand for ushering in financial luck along with a tasty New Years dinner.
Total ad numbers this week were 339,508, a 9% decrease from last weeks 373,353. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 182,236 (54% of all ads), onions and potatoes 27,122 (8%), vegetables 125,224 (37%), herbs 2,977 and ornamentals 1,859. The number of ads for organic produce was 41,259, 12% 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 items this week included limes at 38%, blackberries at 27%, and cherries at 11%.
Significant decreases included Honeycrisp apples at 17% and strawberries at 11%. There were no significant increases in price for onions and potatoes this week. Significant decreases included only Russet potatoes at 33%. Significant increases for vegetables this week included only cucumbers at 36%. Significant decreases for vegetables included grape tomatoes at 33%, green cabbage at 20%, and red bell peppers at 10%.
