Retail fresh fruit prices jump

Fresh fruit prices increased 0.7% from February to March, and are now 5.6% higher than in March 2020, a new Food Price Outlook report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says.

The March increase in retail fresh fruit prices followed a 1.3% increase in February, according to the report.

USDA economists said the recent increases have largely been driven by the rise in apple prices of 2.7% from January to February and 0.9% between February and March. 

In addition, the report said citrus prices increased 9.8% from March 2020 to March 2021.

The USDA said fresh fruit prices are now predicted to increase between 2% and 3% in 2021, with the aggregate category of fresh fruits and vegetables now predicted to increase between 1.5% and 2.5%.

For this year, the USDA said food-at-home prices (grocery) are expected to increase between 1% and 2%, while food-away-from-home prices (restaurant) are now expected to increase between 2.5% and 3.5%.

The USDA said farm-level prices of several vegetable products have experienced large decreases, including lettuce and tomatoes.

For 2021, the USDA said farm-level vegetable prices are now expected to decrease between 1% and 4% compared with 2020.