Success StorySpecialty Crop Price Reports Mean More Profits and Better Planning



Specialty Crop Price Reports Mean More Profits and Better Planning

Author: Brett Wolff

Planning Unit: Agr Economics

Major Program: Commercial Horticulture

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

The Center for Crop Diversification’s Price Reports for Farmers Markets and Produce Auctions provide growers and buyers with up-to-date information to help them assure that specialty crops in their markets are accurate. 

Donna Jones from the Farmer’s Market on the Square in Adair County gives the example of green onions. “We had been selling green onions at our market for $1 per bunch without much thought. Seeing prices from across the state helped us talk as vendors and we decided to raise our prices. We sold out just like we had before, but we made twice as much money.” Young markets like the Harlan County Farmer’s Market are participating in our price reporting for the first time this year. Frequently new vendors find the farmers market price reports helpful to get an idea of the market conditions for what they grow. 

Produce Auction price reports were accessed 29,850 times in 2016. They remain one of our most popular resource. For produce vendors and buyers, these reports can help with planning for both production and marketing. 

This year we have produced a Kentucky Farmers Market 3-year Average Weekly Price publication and we have a forthcoming Kentucky Produce Auction 3-Year Average Price and Volume publication.