This week retailers focused on the Labor Day holiday with items perfect for get-togethers. Watermelons, cantaloupes, corn, potatoes, colored bell peppers, and avocados were featured heavily. Labor signals the transition from summer to fall for many people, and favorites from both seasons were showcased in stores. Peaches, nectarines, plums, and grapes offered sweet summer goodness, while autumn's first pumpkins and hard squashes appeared.
Total ad numbers this week were 298,958, a 6% increase from last week's total of 289,097. The total for the same week last year was 5% lower than for this year. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 172,313 (58% of all ads), onions and potatoes 20,957 (7%), vegetables 99,228 (33%), herbs 651, ornamentals 3,246, and hemp 2,567. The number of ads for organic produce was 39,947, 13% 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 white peaches at 19%, apple juice at 17%, and white nectarines at 16%. Significant decreases included avocados at 21% and cantaloupes at 15%. There were no significant changes in price for onions and potatoes this week. Significant increases in price for vegetables this week included only corn at 40%. There were no significant decreases.
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Source: mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov
