US(GA): Increased squash prices due to tight supplies

Domestic supplies of squash are largely coming from Georgia after rain cut into production in North…

Domestic supplies of squash are largely coming from Georgia after rain cut into production in North Carolina. Growers in Michigan and Ohio, who would normally be shipping squash this time of year, pulled out early, so lower yields in Georgia have caused prices to shoot up this week.

“Right now, Georgia is the area for squash,” said Joey Johnson of J&S Produce in Mount Vernon, Georgia. “Though Plant City, Florida has some, Florida really hasn't come back in yet. Also, because of rain in the Carolinas, there's more pressure to have more volume.” Just several weeks ago there was plenty of squash available, but the accompanying low prices caused some growers in Michigan and Ohio, who would normally be at the tail-end of production right now, to wrap up early. Now that Georgia is the main supplier, prices have gone up.

Georgia weather contributes to prices
“Last week, it was about $8.00 a bushel for yellow crookneck squash and zucchini was about $6.00 for small sizes,” said Johnson. “Now yellow crookneck is around $14.00 and zucchini is $12.00.” Johnson expects prices to continue to rise as long as supplies are light. If the weather continues to be overcast in Georgia, then supplies will continue to be scarce.

“Even though there hasn't been much rain, it's been damp, wet and cloudy, and squash needs sunshine, so production is down,” said Johnson. “The fresh market is all supply and demand, so with the Carolinas out of it and poor production in Georgia, we've had less than normal volume and more than normal pressure.”