Tight Cabbage Supplies to Drive Market Demand and Prices During St. Patrick's Day Promos
Central Valley, CA-
By ANUK Staff
2.15.13
With desert weather complications and two freezes in Oxnard in the middle of January, cabbage supplies are not where growers would like them to be.
Frank Ratto VP of Marketing at Ratto Bros. noted that the California cabbage crop took a hit this winter, meaning that as supplies were hurt in terms of the quality of the product, other states moved in to fill the void.
Following the influx, prices dropped last week but as of this week are not showing signs of getting any lower. The industry predicts demand to increase and hopefully for supply to catch up with demand.
As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, retailers are starting to plan their ads for the holiday. It’s tough to commit to customers knowing that yields are in short supply, a grower told AndNowUKnow.
Companies have adjusted back acreage this past year in response to last year's sluggish market and low prices. That, combined with the weather complications this season have contributed to the lack in supply.
However, growers note that tight supplies have led the cabbage market to be very active. Also, warmer weather on the horizon should help out with production.
Prices for a 24 count carton are currently hovering around $14 and are expected to increase as demand grows going into St. Patrick’s Day.
