As much of the country digs out from record snow and cold temperatures, retailers offered deals on ingredients for warm and hearty meals. Onions, potatoes, carrots, turnips, cabbage, cauliflower, parsnips, and winter squashes were a few of the featured items. Football game favorites like avocados and fruit and vegetable snack trays were very popular. Potted and cut daffodils and tulips brought an air of spring into the floral department, helping shoppers remember that winter can't last forever!
Total ad numbers this week were 268,583, a 3% decrease from last week's total of 275,851. The total for the same week last year was 2% higher at 273,786. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 134,412 (52%), onions and potatoes 23,669 (9%), vegetables 101,823 (38%), herbs 547, ornamentals 1,456, and hemp 2,223. The number of ads for organic produce was 41,124, 15% 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 seedless grapes (white at 32%, red at 27%) and round mangoes at 10%. Significant decreases included tangerines (3 lb. bag) at 11%. There were no significant changes in price for onions and potatoes this week. There were no significant increases in the price of vegetables this week. Decreases included cucumbers (each) at 11%.
To view the full report, click here.
For more information:
USDA
Tel: +1 (202) 720-2791
Email: press@usda.gov
www.usda.gov