The top promotion this week was for Saint Patrick's Day. Shoppers were luckier than leprechauns, finding specials everywhere on cabbage, carrots, onions, and potatoes to go with their corned beef. Jalapenos, cucumbers, broccoli, asparagus, and green grapes were advertised together by some retailers, in a special section featuring green items from the produce, bakery, and floral departments. Stores continued with their Lent promotions, with lemons, limes, Portobello mushrooms, and poblano peppers, among some of the major items.
Total ad numbers this week were 297,181, a 2% increase from last week's total of 291,642. The total for the same week last year was 3% lower at 287,137. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 136,388 (46%), onions and potatoes 32,613 (11%), vegetables 123,889 (42%), herbs 977, ornamentals 423, and hemp 3,868. The number of ads for organic produce was 37,739, 13% 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 only apple juice (64 oz.) at 21%. Significant decreases included seedless grapes (red at 26%, white at 20%). Significant changes in price for onions and potatoes this week included only a 14% decrease for yellow onions (3 lb. bag).
Significant increases in price for vegetables this week included asparagus at 13%, long seedless cucumbers at 11%, and baby carrots (2 lb. bag) at 10%. Decreases included baby carrots (1 lb. bag) at 15% and green cabbage at 14%.
For more information:
USDA
Tel: +1 (202) 720-2791
Email: press@usda.gov
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