narratives: 45

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rowid	report_date	title	narrative
45	2025-06-27	Weekly Grocery Store Specialty Crops Feature Activity	Fireworks and Food Fourth of July sales were popping like firecrackers this week as shoppers got an early start to holiday shopping. Produce aisles were sparkling with the season's freshest cherries, nectarines, peaches, berries, melons, grapes, limes, and plums. Explosively delicious vegetables like corn, asparagus, sweet onions, zucchini, cucumbers, and colored bell peppers were at the ready for crisp salads or grilled meals. Patriotic floral arrangements lit up the atmosphere in stores. Total ad numbers this week were 265,811, a 3% increase from last week's total of 257,039. The total for the same week last year was 32% higher at 389,102. The total number of ads broken out by commodity groups: fruit 156,932 (59%), onions and potatoes 18,599 (7%), vegetables 88,039 (33%), herbs 746, ornamentals 292, and hemp 1,949. The number of ads for organic produce was 26,569, 10% 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 blackberries (5.6-6 oz.) at 44%, red seedless grapes at 34%, strawberries (1 lb.) at 25%, red cherries at 20%, blueberries (1 pint) at 16%, and avocados at 11%. Significant decreases included round mangoes at 26%, mini seedless watermelons at 15%, and limes (each) at 13%. Significant changes in price for potatoes and onions this week included only a 12% decrease for Russet potatoes (5 lb. bag). Significant increases in price for vegetables this week included asparagus at 38%, corn (film wrapped trays, 4-5 ears) at 19%, Roma tomatoes at 18%, and long seedless cucumbers at 11%. There were no significant decreases.