Shoppers had plenty to enjoy in grocery stores this week, whether they were celebrating Passover, Easter, Ramadan, or simply that spring had arrived. Favorite Easter items like pineapples, strawberries, avocados, grapes, potatoes, asparagus, artichokes, sweet potatoes, green beans, and Brussels sprouts were abundantly featured. Dates, honey, tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers were popular for Ramadan observances. Passover staples such as apple and grape juices, carrots, and apples were advertised alongside seasonally popular items like parsnips, turnips, and parsley.
Total ad numbers this week were 299,114, a 13% increase from last week's total of 265,835. The total for the same week last year was 14% lower at 263,163. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 129,457 (43% of all ads), onions and potatoes 25,333 (8%), vegetables 126,624 (42%), herbs 1,108, ornamentals 14,861 (5%), and hemp 2,839. The number of ads for organic produce was 36,273, 12% of total ads.
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Source: mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov