American retailers were offering promotions on all kinds of fruit, especially new-harvest stone fruits and melons.

Locally and regionally grown produce is the highlight of summer across the country, and the season is off to a strong start. Alaska potatoes, Michigan asparagus, California apricots, Georgia corn, Texas watermelon, South Carolina peaches, North Carolina cabbage, New Jersey romaine lettuce, and Arkansas squash were some of the fresh offerings found in grocery stores this week. Retailers were offering promotions on almost all types of fruit, especially new-harvest stone fruits and melons. Corn, asparagus, mushrooms, cucumbers, tomatoes and sweet onions were present. Father’s Day promotions have begun, with advertisements for gifts and bakery items in seasonal sections.

The total number of listings this week was 308,672, an increase of 7% from last week’s total of 289,738. The total for the same week last year was 7% lower at 287,305. The total number of ads broken down by product groups: fruits 176,221 (57% of all ads), onions and potatoes 19 113 (6%), vegetables 106,662 (35%), herbs 1,055, ornamental plants 1,600 and hemp 5,076. The number of ads for organic products was 44,457, or 14% of the total ads. Here are the prices of the top items advertised (over 3,000 listings) this week, compared to the same week last year. Significant fruit price increases this week included black seedless grapes at 28% and blackberries (5.6 oz to 6 oz) at 15%.

Significant decreases included yellow peaches at 30%, Honeycrisp apples (per pound) at 14%, organic strawberries (1 lb.) at 13%, red cherries at 11%, and apple juice (64 oz.) at 10%. %. There was no significant change in potato and onion prices this week. Significant vegetable price increases this week included cucumbers (each) at 24% and asparagus at 13%. The significant decreases were in long seedless cucumbers (each), at 12%.

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Source: mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov