narratives: 27

This data as json

rowid	report_date	title	narrative
27	2025-10-31	Weekly Grocery Store Specialty Crops Feature Activity	Trick or Treat Even though the Halloween catch phrase is "trick or treat", retailers skipped the tricks and offered shoppers treats in the form of money saved. Pumpkins and gourds were well featured, of course, along with apples, pears, avocados, limes, apple cider, and fruit and vegetable party trays. A hint of Thanksgiving and the upcoming winter holidays appeared, with cranberries, pomegranates, winter squashes, and Brussels sprouts well-advertised. Baking staples and holiday decorations have begun to take over seasonal sections. Total ad numbers this week were 301,523, a 1% increase from last week's total of 298,197. The total for the same week last year was 7% lower at 280,786. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 162,684 (54%), onions and potatoes 27,572 (9%), vegetables 104,533 (35%), herbs 718, ornamentals 3,580, hemp 1,703, and honey 1,451. The number of ads for organic produce was 49,205, 16% of total ads. The following are the prices of major advertised items (3,000 plus ads) this week, compared to the same week last year. Significant increases in price for fruit this week included limes (each) at 19%, Honeycrisp apples (per lb.) at 18%, blueberries (1 pint) at 14%, and pomegranates (each) at 10%. Significant decreases included pears per lb. (Bosc at 27%, Barlett at 21%), and white seedless grapes at 10%. There were no significant changes in price for potatoes and onions this week. Significant increases in price for vegetables this week included Acorn and Butternut squash, both at 11%. There were no significant decreases.