
Market Minute: Seeing positive markets rather than negative weather
The weather is incessant and newsworthy, but at times it can frustrate retailers from planning promotions to meet sales budgets.
This past winter was tough on crops, causing produce shortages and much higher costs. It also placed a burden on suppliers and retailers as the markets thwarted numerous promotions. The bad news about stormy weather and lower temperatures crept into the spring plantings, which made it even more challenging for growers and retailers.
Wouldn’t it be nice for a change to hear something positive about the crops and related markets instead of heavy rain, excessive heat, tight supplies, quality concerns and other negative product issues?
Let’s consider 10 current items that give reason for optimism rather than uncertainty for promotion:
- Avocados: Volume is picking up out of Mexico with some lower pricing. Expand displays.
- Asparagus: More product is available from Mexico with good quality.
- Broccoli: Availability will start to ramp up as Maine will start harvests. California will pick up as well.
- Cauliflower: Outstanding quality and availability out of California.
- Celery: Steady volume from California and good time to support in ads.
- Clementines: Imports from Chile have excellent quality and a steady market.
- Westside Melons: Cantaloupes and honeydews from California's Central Valley are in great supply with outstanding quality — very timely for summer ads to boost sales.
- Watermelons: Increased volume is available with some favorable markets.
- Strawberries: Excellent quality and plenty of berries out of California. Good sales opportunities. Keep advertising.
- Sweet Corn: Georgia and California have outstanding quality corn. Continue pushing sweet corn through the summer months.
As always, review these and other produce items with your suppliers. This is the time to take advantage of the good things that are happening with crops by adding to the positive sales volume.
Ron Pelger is a produce industry adviser and industry writer. He can be contacted at 775/843-2394 or by e-mail at [email protected].