Broccoli, cauliflower prices rising due to desert cold

Persistent cold weather in the Arizona and California desert growing regions is slowing broccoli and cauliflower growth, limiting supplies and causing prices to spike.

Markon Cooperative BB #:123315 reported this week to buyers that it expects broccoli to maintain its higher price levels and cauliflower to rise even more throughout January.

It reports elevated demand for cauliflower and expects that to strengthen as supplies get tighter.

USDA shows wholesale cauliflower prices have been on a steady rise for the past month, resulting in f.o.b.s that are about triple what they were in mid-December.

The broccoli market has not been as dramatic, with prices remaining relatively steady in the past month, but they have been rising the last week.

Markon also offers Mexican-grown broccoli loading in South Texas.

“Supplies are adequate but anticipated to tighten over the next two weeks as additional demand shifts from the AZ/CA desert to South Texas,” it reported in a Jan. 11 market update.