Retailers offered shoppers a helping hand at the checkout this week with deals on produce favorites. Grapes were the most-advertised fruit this week, followed closely by strawberries and blackberries. Russet potatoes, asparagus, and mushrooms were among the most popular vegetables. Imported fruits like peaches, nectarines, plums, mangos, and pineapples brought an air of summertime to produce aisles. Daffodils and tulips brightened floral departments while St. Patrick's Day and Easter décor and gifts filled up seasonal sections.
Total ad numbers this week were 290,940, a 3% increase from last week's total of 282,900. The total for the same week last year was 5% lower at 277,043. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 159,352 (55%), onions and potatoes 23,129 (8%), vegetables 106,445 (37%), herbs 1,111, ornamentals 1,194, and hemp 820. The number of ads for organic produce was 33,776, 12% 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. There were no significant increases in the price of fruit this week. Significant decreases included seedless grapes (black at 21%, white and red at 20%), lemons (2 lb. bag) at 16%, strawberries (1 lb.) at 13%, tangerines (3 lb. bag) at 12%, and apple juice (64 oz.) 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. Significant decreases included only cucumbers at 18%.
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