Lime prices on the rise
Whether it be weather, supply chain issues or low yields, it was another week of high prices in the produce industry.
Lime prices went from $28 to $61/carton in seven days and are now more than double compared to any January over the past 10 years, according to ProduceIQ.
Squash is up as Mexican growing regions shift southward for the mid-winter crop. Historically, squash prices rise the first few weeks of each year and fall into February as Mexican production picks up. This year's production is being slowed down by rain in Mexico and cool weather in Florida. As a result, ProduceIQ expects zucchini prices to rise for at least a few more weeks and yellow squash supply to remain correlated. Zucchini prices are rising further and now in a rare moment when priced higher than yellow squash.
Lettuce is front and center again. In the Everglades Agricultural Area, lettuce downy mildew, a serious and aggressive foliar disease, was discovered this week. The disease has been known to render the yields of entire fields useless. As a result, south Florida vegetable growers are on high alert to contain the potential to spread and prevent an outbreak. In the West, cooler weather is causing quality issues and harvest delays. Lettuce prices are relatively stable, although quality and product availability are mixed.