National Retail Report - Feb. 22

Here is the summary from the USDA's Feb. 22 National Retail Report:

Advertised Prices for Fruits & Vegetables at Major Retail Supermarket Outlets 02/16 to 02/28

Retail grocery ads were minus a national theme this week, as in the past, when events such as Super Bowl weekend Valentine’s Day were celebrated. However, in the Southwest and South Central regions there was a reminder to consumers of spring’s approach with numerous flowering plants and even a few early Easter items were promoted. Some of the items featured were mini daffodils, potted spring flowers, and tulips. This was also evident in the other four regions of the country but to a lesser extent. Seafood and shrimp remained popular as Lent continues. Produce ads this week were tilted towards fruit items. Heavily promoted items were Chilean fruits which consisted of grapes, nectarines, peaches, and plums. Avocados were also promoted from Chile and the first of the season Bartlett pears were also observed. Strawberries and navel oranges were additional items popular this week. Fruit ads overall
were approximately 60 percent of the total. Vegetable ads were dominated by asparagus which consisted of 15 percent of the total. Another 9 percent of the total was observed on red bell peppers. Baby carrots remain a popular feature as well as potatoes in connection with National Potato Lovers Month.

Fruits as Percentage of Total Fruit Ads
February 22, 2008
Bananas 1%
Avocadoes, hass 6%
Bananas, organic 0%
Blueberries 8%
Apples, red delicious 4%
Limes 1%
Honeydew 1%
Grapefruit, red 2%
Grapes, green/red 15%
Clementines 0%
Cantaloupe 5%
Lemons 2%
Mangoes 6%
Nectarines, yellow flesh 10%
Oranges, navel 4%
Pears, bartlett 1%
Watermelon, mini 2%
Strawberries 9%
Plums 6%
Pineapple 5%
Peaches 13%


Vegetables as Percentage of Total Vegetable Ads February 22, 2008
Cucumbers 4%
Lettuce, iceberg 3%
Lettuce, romaine 1%
Corn 1%
Onions, yellow 5%
Onions, sweet 5%
Peppers, bell green 2%
Peppers, bell red 9%
Broccoli, organic 1%
Broccoli 3%
Beans, round green 0%
Asparagus 15%
Tomatoes 4%
Tomatoes on the vine 5%
Tomatoes, grape 6%
Tomatoes, grape organic 3%
Sweet Potatoes 1%
Squash, zucchini 3%
Potatoes, russet 6%
Celery 2%
Carrots, baby organic 4%
Mushrooms, white 5%
Cabbage 4%
Carrots, baby 7%