Retailers are focused on pumpkins Apple cider, grapes, and fresh apples were on hand for fall festivities, as well as fruit and vegetable snack trays. Winter squash, carrots, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and onions were popular for hearty meals. Cranberries, pomegranates, persimmons, pears, and apple pears added fall color to the grocery store aisles.
Total ad numbers this week were 301,737, a 1% increase from last week's total of 298,103. The total for the same week last year was 9% lower at 277,849. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 143,378 (48% of all ads), onions and potatoes 24,431 (8%), vegetables 125,935 (42%), herbs 2,732, ornamentals 3,842, and hemp 4,151. The number of ads for organic produce was 40,033, 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 16%. Significant decreases included red and white seedless grapes, both at 18%, and Gala apples (per lb.) at 13%.
There were no significant changes in price for potatoes and onions this week. Significant increases in price for vegetables this week included asparagus at 23% and pie type pumpkins (each) at 39%. Significant decreases included butternut squash at 12%. Pumpkins of unspecified size and large pumpkins both decreased by 10%.
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