Inflation roars at the farm level for fresh vegetables

Sharply higher fob prices for selected vegetables may cause some fresh pain to consumer pocketbooks in the coming weeks.

Compared with year-ago levels, March 27-April 2 fob prices of fresh snap beans, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, onions and tomatoes were at least 50% higher than the same time a year ago, the USDA reported.

In fact, the USDA data show that fob prices in late March and early April for celery, iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce and onions were running at 100% more than the same time a year ago.

Compared with the same week last year, volumes of vegetables shipped from March 27 to April 2 were up by double-digit percentage volume for beans, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, peppers, radishes and spinach. Volume was off by double-digit percentages for the week for carrots and sweet potatoes.

The USDA said advertised retail prices were generally higher as well but in a much narrower range. Only the advertised retail price for cauliflower, at 56% above the same week a year ago, scored 50% higher than year-ago levels.