Retail ad totals were down this week as retailers took a break after the busy spring holiday season. Nonetheless, there were plenty of opportunities for shoppers to score deals on their favorite produce items. Organic and conventional strawberries, grapes, mangoes, berries, cantaloupes, and citrus were among the most advertised fruits. With grilling weather gracing most parts of the country, corn, bell peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and zucchini were also well featured. Though not as plentiful as last week, ads for ornamentals remained prevalent.
Total ad numbers this week were 286,884, representing a 9% decrease from last week's total of 313,925. Compared to the same week last year, totals were 3% lower, with 294,443 ads recorded in 2024. The number of ads by commodity group was as follows: fruit at 147,650 (51%), onions and potatoes at 24,050 (8%), vegetables at 111,114 (38%), herbs at 1,476, ornamentals at 2,990, and hemp at 1,080. Organic produce accounted for 32,770 ads, or 11% of total ads.
Significant price changes were noted when comparing major advertised items (those with 3,000 or more ads) to the same week last year. Among fruits, mangoes showed notable price increases, with yellow varieties up 32% and round varieties up 28%. Significant fruit price decreases included Gala apples (per pound) down 28%, organic strawberries (1 lb. package) down 21%, white seedless grapes down 15%, Cara Cara Navel oranges (3 lb. bag) down 15%, and blueberries (1 pint) down 13%.
In the onions and potatoes category, the only significant change was for Russet potatoes (5 lb. bag), which saw a 31% price increase compared to last year.
For vegetables, there were no significant price increases this week. However, notable decreases were recorded for white mushrooms (8 oz.) down 29%, cauliflower (each) down 12%, vine-ripened tomatoes down 12%, and organic baby peeled carrots (1 lb. bag) down 11%.
For more information:
USDA
Tel: +1 (202) 720-2791
Email: [email protected]
www.mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov
