Summaries of Produce Auction Quantities and Prices Available Soon
Summaries of Produce Auction Quantities and Prices Available Soon
The produce auction is a marketing channel for growers producing fruit and vegetable crops, nursery crops, and ornamentals. There are several produce auctions located throughout Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and other bordering states. The produce auction serves growers as a market to sell large quantity crops while it serves buyers or consumers as a place to purchase bulk fresh, local products. Some of these auctions gross millions of dollars in sales each year and play an important role in our region’s specialty crop market.
The forthcoming report Three-Year Average Prices & Quantities at Kentucky Produce Auctions: 2020-2022, compares average volumes and prices for 16 crops (listed under Crops & Units) from two major Kentucky produce auctions for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons. While there are six produce auctions in Kentucky, the two largest auctions were selected for analysis. We have provided some data on two crops of economic importance at Auctions: Cantaloupes and Tomatoes.
Find the publication in early August on the Center for Crop Diversification website.
Notes on Cantaloupe
Season Length: June – October
In this 3-year period, Fairview and Lincoln County follow a similar pattern as our last 3-year report – large volume coming through the market in weeks 28-31 with a gentle downward slope as we move into fall. Prices remain strong for melons as Kentucky becomes a larger melon-growing region.
Pack Size: Cantaloupe are sold individually, but they are packed in groups of 10 into 24” bins. Growers should fill the bin to a stackable level and specify variety on the bin label.
Notes on Tomatoes
Season Length: May – November/December. Fairview’s season is almost all year round.
The peak season is late July – August, accompanied by < $1/lb. prices. High prices are seen for early-season products with some uptick as supply drops. #1 and #2 grade tomatoes bring higher $/lb. compared to small and canner tomatoes, even in the low-price points.
Pack Size: Tomatoes are packed in 20 lb. tomato boxes. The box must contain 20 lb. of net weight. Grade according to:
#1: nearly flawless
#2: slightly flawed but no open cracks
Figure 1: Fairview, Tomatoes #1&2 Grade
Figure 2: Lincoln County, Tomatoes #1&2 Grade
Figure 3: Combined Tomatoes #1&2 Grade
Figure 4: Lincoln County, Cantaloupe
Figure 5: Fairview, Cantaloupe
Figure 6: Combined
Recommended Citation Format:
Columbia, S. "Summaries of Produce Auction Quantities and Prices Available Soon." Economic and Policy Update (23):7, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Kentucky, July 28, 2023.
Author(s) Contact Information:
Specialty Crops
