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Cilantro prices on the rise

KYC-Cilantro

Cilantro has seen a normal summer end with prices rising thanks to turbulent California weather.

The heat waves that have affected many California crops are affecting volume, which is putting pressure on prices.

However, consumers haven’t seen any change in average retail price through the end of September.

F.O.B. PRICE IN CENTRAL COAST CALIFORNIA FOR CILANTRO CONVENTIONAL SIZE 30s FROM AUGUST 1ST THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25TH

At the beginning of the season, this year’s price for cilantro produced in Central Coast California was $10 lower than at the beginning of the 2019 season.

While it remained lower than the price during the last two years for the analyzed period, it began to increase during the first week of September, said Paola Ochoa, Program Manager for Agtools Inc. BB #:355102

Blue Book has teamed with Agtools Inc., the data analytic service for the produce industry, to look at a handful of crops and how they’re adjusting in the market during the pandemic.

During week 39 of 2020 prices have surpassed those of previous years for the analyzed period. Further monitoring is needed to confirm if the trend of increasing prices holds, she said.

F.O.B. PRICE IN MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH TEXAS FOR CILANTRO CONVENTIONAL SIZE 60s FROM AUGUST 1ST THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25TH

Prices for imported cilantro from Mexico follow a similar pattern to that of California product, Ochoa said. Product from both regions began at prices below those of last year for the same analyzed period.

Then, during the last week of August prices begin to rise and reach, at the end of week 39, levels higher than prices during previous years.

The difference in prices during week 39 was approximately $6 between the lowest reported price in 2019 and the highest reported price in 2020, she said. The pricing spread of the Mexican production is very similar to that of the U.S. product even when dealing with different sizes.

CILANTRO PRODUCTION REGIONS IN 2020

Cilantro consumed in the U.S. comes mostly from three producing regions: California, Texas and Mexico.

LOS ANGELES TERMINAL PRICE FOR CILANTRO CONVENTIONAL SIZE 60s FROM AUGUST 1ST THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25TH

Los Angeles terminal market prices as well as the F.O.B. price, presents lower prices this year during August when compared to 2019 and 2018, Ochoa said.

Even during the third week of August there is a price difference of up to $20 between the 2018 price and the 2020 price. Since the second week of September the price has been higher and during the last week has been very similar to previous years.

MIDWEST RETAIL PRICE FOR CILANTRO CONVENTIONAL FROM AUGUST 1ST THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25TH

The retail price in the Midwest has been very stable compared to previous years, so we can conclude that the increase in F.O.B price this year in September has not directly impacted consumer prices, Ochoa said.

When analyzing the prices for this product, we can conclude prices in the last week have been going up and we must monitor demand for this product to confirm the extent to which pricing fluctuations correlate to shifts in supply and demand.

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Greg Johnson is Director of Media Development for Blue Book Services