SANTA MARIA, CA - Gracing plates and dishes in multiple culinary creations, broccoli plays a popular recurring role in several cuisines, and shoppers can’t get enough of it. With the industry witnessing a tight market for the category, I tapped Crystal Chavez from Gold Coast Packing to get a read on the increased prices hitting shelves.

“The broccoli market is tight right now, and we see pricing higher than this time last year,” the Marketing Coordinator shares with me. “Truth is, the tighter market is due to the fact that currently there is just less broccoli available.”

Gold Coast grows broccoli year-round in Santa Maria, so it is always in season for the provider. However, there have been some minor issues lately with the weather.

California has experienced a series of heat waves over the past few months. Rain also made a brief appearance last week, so Gold Coast’s broccoli crops have seen a bit of everything over the past few weeks.

“It is possible that we may not have seen all of the issues on our crops because of the rollercoaster weather patterns,” continues Crystal. “Our broccoli volume is lower than last year at this time. However, we’re working hard to meet all of our partners’ needs.”

During the winter months, Gold Coast grows 35 percent of its broccoli crops in Santa Maria and 65 percent in the desert. With fall already in the air here in the United States, shoppers are eager to get warm and comforting dishes on the table, so we anticipate broccoli to keep its star status on the shelf.

ANUK will keep an eye on the skies and the fields, so stay tuned for the latest.

Gold Coast Packing