This week Santa had his elves scurrying through store aisles lowering prices on holiday favorites. Winter citrus became more abundant, with new crops California clementines and Texas grapefruit adding sparkle to ad flyers. Hanukkah staples like grapes, honey, dates, apples, grape and apple juices, potatoes, and carrots were on special at virtually every store. Apples in a multitude of varieties were advertised heavily for baking and Hannukah celebrations. Blueberries and blackberries were featured for fruit salads and desserts.
Fresh and bagged nuts were popular for snacking and baking. Poinsettias, roses, and Christmas cactuses added holiday cheer to the floral department. Total ad numbers this week were 277,170, a 27% increase from last week's total of 217,746. The total for the same week last year was 2% higher at 282,630. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 164,209 (59% of all ads), onions and potatoes 19,426 (7%), vegetables 82,169 (30%), herbs 1,006, ornamentals 8,371 (3%), and hemp 2,995.
The number of ads for organic produce was 36,603, 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 Fuji apples (per lb.) at 55%, Granny Smith apples (per lb. at 50%, 3 lb. bag at 11%), and Honeycrisp apples (per lb.) at 11%. Significant decreases included mangoes at 18%, blueberries (1 pint) at 13%, tangerines (3 lb. bag) at 12%, pomegranates (ea.) at 11%, and apple juice (64 oz.) at 10%.
There were no significant changes in price for potatoes and onions this week. Significant increases in price for vegetables this week included long seedless cucumbers at 15% and packaged salad (5-9 oz.) at 11%. Significant decreases included only white mushrooms (8 oz.) at 12%. Poinsettias (6-inch pot) increased by 22%.
To view the full report, click here.
For more information:
USDA
Tel: +1 (202) 720-2791
Email: [email protected]
www.usda.gov