Retail flyers were brimming with specials on football party favorites, including the champions of all Super Bowl produce, avocados, along with their sidekicks-jalapeños, cilantro, onions, Roma tomatoes, and tomatillos. Many ads offered ideas for making snack platters, along with deals on baby carrots, celery, cauliflower, broccoli crowns, and bell peppers.
Lemons and limes were both popular for beverages and guacamole making. Shoppers celebrating Valentine's Day early were greeted with an abundance of floral arrangements, candy, and chocolate-covered strawberries. Specialty Crops Market News has begun reporting retail prices on dekopon (shiranui) citrus as of this week.
Total ad numbers this week were 273,836, a 2% increase from last week's total of 268,202. The total for the same week last year was 2% lower at 267,447. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 144,775 (53%), onions and potatoes 24,992 (9%), vegetables 96,213 (35%), herbs 4,606 (2%), ornamentals 5,161 (2%), and hemp 2,695. The number of ads for organic produce was 26,465, 10% 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 limes (each) at 26%, strawberries (1 lb.) at 22%, and avocados at 17%. Significant decreases included Cara Cara Navel oranges (3 lb. bag) at 23%, tangerines (3 lb. bag) at 12%, white seedless grapes at 12%, and apple juice (64 oz.) at 10%. There were no significant changes in price for onions and potatoes this week. Significant increases in price for vegetables this week included cilantro at 15% and broccoli crowns at 12%. Decreases included only Roma tomatoes at 19%. The price of roses (per dozen) increased by 20%.
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