Citrus is brightest star during COVID-19 pandemic
What produce commodity has seen the biggest demand bump during the C0VID-19 pandemic?
I asked that question to the LinkedIn Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group:
In your market, what commodities have gained the most demand from the COVID-19 pandemic?
With 59 votes, the results so far:
- Citrus: 51%
- Potatoes: 15%
- Carrots: 2%
- Other (list): 32%
Apparently citrus has been the big winner during the pandemic, though vegetable sales have done quite well by all accounts.
Other commodities mentioned in the comments section of my post were tropical and exotic produce, organic produce, melons and kiwi.
What other measures can quantify the spike in demand for citrus because of COVID?
Here is an USDA Custom Average Price view of the orange market so far this year. The rise in per carton orange f.o.b. prices goes in tandem with the spread of COVID-19, indicated by the chart below.