As expected, ad numbers were down after the big Independence Day sales week. Many retailers opted to extend their ads through July 4 in lieu of beginning a fresh ad cycle, while others released new flyers with a decreased number of ads. Nonetheless, retailers were offering sizzling deals this week. Watermelons, cantaloupes, peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries, strawberries, Honeycrisp apples, and avocados were just a few of the heavily advertised options for cooling off with refreshing fruit. Vegetables were also popular, especially grill-friendly items that could be prepared outside of hot kitchens such as corn, bell peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce.
Total ad numbers this week were 304,346, a 22% decrease from last week's total of 389,102. The total for the same week last year was 7% lower at 284,084. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 187,358 (62% of all ads), onions and potatoes 18,173 (6%), vegetables 94,971 (31%), herbs 1,029. The number of ads for organic produce was 47,252, 16% of total ads.
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Source: mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov