ProduceIQ: Celery stalks a new record

Summer weather is having a bit of an identity crisis. One part of the country is celebrating much-needed rain thanks to Tropical Storm Bertha, while another is wondering if the thermostat has a maximum setting.

Add tariffs back into the headlines and oil prices bouncing around, and it’s been another busy week outside the produce aisle.

Inside the produce aisle, the market story is just as mixed. A few commodities continue climbing into uncharted territory, while others are becoming increasingly promotion friendly as supplies improve. Celery and asparagus buyers still don’t have much to celebrate, but raspberry buyers may finally be catching a break.

ProduceIQ Index:  $1.07/pound, down -1.0 percent over prior week

Week #30, ending July 24^th  

Blue Book has teamed with ProduceIQ BB #:368175 to bring the ProduceIQ Index to its readers. The index provides a produce industry price benchmark using 40 top commodities to provide data for decision making.

Celery prices edged out 2023 to claim a new ten-year high for week #30. Average prices are up +33 percent over the previous week as high heat increases disease pressure in California’s Salinas Valley. More supplies are available out of Oxnard and Santa Maria, but prices are unlikely to find much relief over the next couple of weeks.

Celery feels the heat

Up another +11 percent over the previous week, asparagus prices continue to define new highs. Reported volume out of Mexico and Peru remains well below average for week #30. Suppliers are forecasting the supply situation to remain extremely limited and potentially tighten further through at least mid-August.

Asparagus keeps reaching new heights

Raspberry prices are ripe for promotion! Down another -26 percent, raspberry markets’ recent upward momentum was short-lived. Strong volume out of Mexico and California is sending raspberry prices well below average in week #30. Fruit quality and shelf life remain strong and are expected to continue into August as Watsonville growers ramp up production.

Raspberries are ripe for promotion

ProduceIQ saves you time and provides valuable information to increase your profits.

ProduceIQ Index

The ProduceIQ Index is the fresh produce industry’s only shipping point price index. It represents the industry-wide price per pound at the location of packing for domestic produce and at the port of U.S. entry for imported produce. 

ProduceIQ uses 40 top commodities to represent the industry. The Index weights each commodity dynamically, by season, as a function of the weekly 5-year rolling average Sales. Sales are calculated using USDA Agricultural Marketing Service data on movement and prices. The Index serves as a fair benchmark for industry price performance.