Fourth of July sales were popping like firecrackers this week as shoppers got an early start on holiday shopping. Produce aisles sparkled with the season's freshest cherries, nectarines, peaches, berries, melons, grapes, limes, and plums. Explosively delicious vegetables like corn, asparagus, sweet onions, zucchini, cucumbers, and colored bell peppers were ready for crisp salads or grilled meals. Patriotic floral arrangements lit up store displays.
Total ad numbers this week reached 265,811, a 3% increase from last week's total of 257,039. However, this is 32% lower than the total for the same week last year, which stood at 389,102.
By commodity group, fruit accounted for 156,932 ads (59%), onions and potatoes had 18,599 ads (7%), and vegetables totaled 88,039 ads (33%). Herbs, ornamentals, and hemp followed with 746, 292, and 1,949 ads, respectively. The number of ads for organic produce was 26,569, making up 10% of the total.
Among major advertised items (3,000 or more ads), there were notable price increases for several fruits compared to the same week last year. Blackberries (5.6–6 oz.) rose 44%, red seedless grapes increased 34%, strawberries (1 lb.) went up 25%, red cherries rose 20%, blueberries (1 pint) increased 16%, and avocados rose 11%. Meanwhile, there were significant decreases for round mangoes, down 26%, mini seedless watermelons, down 15%, and limes (each), down 13%.
For potatoes and onions, the only significant price change was a 12% decrease in Russet potatoes (5 lb. bag). Among vegetables, asparagus prices rose 38%, corn (film-wrapped trays, 4–5 ears) increased 19%, Roma tomatoes were up 18%, and long seedless cucumbers increased 11%. There were no significant decreases in vegetable prices this week.
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For more information:
USDA
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www.mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov
