Produce Price Index
Produce Aisle Markup: How Much Are Farmers Really Making?
Sources: USDA Market News Reports for Farm Gate Prices & U.S. Marketing Services for Retail Prices
Farm Price
Farm Price represents the prices farmers are paid by retailers and grocery stores per standard unit of select fruits and vegetables. Examples of units include a one-pound clamshell of strawberries or bag of grapes, a head of lettuce or cauliflower, or a single cantaloupe or honeydew melon.
Retail Price
Retail Price represents the prices consumers pay at retailers and grocery stores per standard unit of select fruits and vegetables. Examples of units include a one-pound clamshell of strawberries or bag of grapes, a head of lettuce or cauliflower, or a single cantaloupe or honeydew melon.
Price Spread
Price Spread represents the percentage markup charged by retailers and grocery stores. In other words, it is the difference between what farmers are paid and what the consumer pays. This number can range from around 50% to more than 300% depending on the market.
| Commodity | Record Date | Farm Price | Atlanta Retail | Chicago Retail | Los Angeles Retail | New York Retail | Average Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cantaloupe | 2013-08-11 | $0.69 | $2.24 | $2.16 | $2.47 | $2.24 | 230.07% |
| Red Leaf Lettuce | 2013-08-11 | $0.35 | $1.99 | $1.52 | $1.52 | $1.79 | 387.14% |
| Carrots | 2013-08-11 | $0.16 | $0.94 | $0.84 | $0.96 | $1.44 | 553.13% |
| Romaine Lettuce | 2013-08-11 | $0.37 | $2.09 | $1.76 | $1.54 | $2.43 | 428.38% |
| Cauliflower | 2013-08-11 | $1.49 | $3.18 | $3.37 | $3.43 | $4.24 | 138.59% |
| Strawberries | 2013-08-11 | $1.22 | $2.16 | $2.66 | $2.87 | $3.74 | 134.22% |
| Celery | 2013-08-11 | $0.34 | $1.65 | $1.62 | $1.79 | $2.04 | 422.06% |
| Thompson Grapes | 2013-08-11 | $0.79 | $1.94 | $1.78 | $2.12 | $2.36 | 159.49% |
| Flame Grapes | 2013-08-11 | $0.77 | $1.94 | $1.72 | $2.12 | $2.36 | 164.29% |
| Green Leaf Lettuce | 2013-08-11 | $0.37 | $2.05 | $1.40 | $1.52 | $1.65 | 347.30% |
| Honeydews | 2013-08-11 | $1.00 | $3.64 | $3.37 | $2.60 | $3.99 | 240.00% |
| Thompson Grapes | 2013-08-04 | $0.79 | $2.06 | $1.78 | $1.99 | $1.99 | 147.47% |
| Flame Grapes | 2013-08-04 | $0.79 | $2.06 | $2.05 | $1.84 | $2.24 | 159.18% |
| Green Leaf Lettuce | 2013-08-04 | $0.41 | $1.98 | $1.40 | $1.47 | $1.65 | 296.34% |
| Honeydews | 2013-08-04 | $0.96 | $3.64 | $3.37 | $2.66 | $4.12 | 259.11% |
| Iceberg Lettuce | 2013-08-04 | $0.93 | $1.81 | $1.49 | $1.34 | $2.19 | 83.60% |
| Avocados | 2013-08-04 | $0.78 | $1.28 | $1.41 | $1.18 | $1.79 | 81.41% |
| Nectarines | 2013-08-04 | $0.38 | $1.69 | $1.99 | $1.24 | $2.49 | 387.50% |
| Broccoli Bunches | 2013-08-04 | $1.20 | $2.49 | $2.29 | $1.39 | $2.32 | 76.88% |
| Peaches | 2013-08-04 | $0.42 | $1.69 | $1.87 | $1.24 | $2.99 | 363.69% |
| Broccoli Crowns | 2013-08-04 | $0.81 | $1.72 | $1.67 | $1.77 | $1.62 | 109.26% |
| Plums | 2013-08-04 | $0.47 | $1.99 | $1.74 | $0.96 | $1.74 | 242.02% |
| Cantaloupe | 2013-08-04 | $0.73 | $2.24 | $2.16 | $2.29 | $2.37 | 210.27% |
| Red Leaf Lettuce | 2013-08-04 | $0.36 | $1.94 | $1.52 | $1.47 | $1.79 | 366.67% |
| Carrots | 2013-08-04 | $0.30 | $0.99 | $0.84 | $1.06 | $1.44 | 260.83% |