INFLATION
As Social Security checks and inflation cool, the price of this beloved fruit has skyrocketed 13%
Good news generally in the U.S. economy as price increases have slowed, but some items are still going up rapidly.
There was good news on prices for hard working Americans yesterday. Inflation in the U.S. cooled to 2.4% in September 2024 comparing prices to their level from the previous year. That’s the lowest inflation we’ve seen since February 2021, providing relief for households and reducing pressure on the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates further. This trend is expected to stabilize consumer purchasing power and might pave the way for potential rate cuts to spur economic growth.
Inflation hits strawberries
Not all sectors though have experienced the same cooling in price hikes. Strawberry prices, for instance, have surged by 13%, according to ABC News. This spike can be attributed to factors like transportation costs and supply chain disruptions, which impact perishable goods more severely. Items like strawberries often see sharp price swings due to their sensitivity to seasonal production factors and demand. Labor shortages can cause problems, where farmers are unable to find seasonal workers to harvest their crops.
Strawberries around the country are now at or over $2.50 a pound. At Walmart right now a 1 lb container is priced at $2.92.
Strawberry growing in the U.S.
The main strawberry growing areas in the U.S. are California and Florida. Like for many other soft fruits, California dominates production, accounting for about 90% of U.S. strawberries. The state has ideal growing conditions, with mild, sunny weather year-round, allowing for strawberry production in regions like Salinas, Watsonville, Santa Maria, Oxnard, and Orange County.
California’s peak strawberry season runs from early spring through fall, but some areas, like Santa Maria, produce strawberries year-round. The state also leads in organic strawberry production, making it a global leader in sustainable strawberry farming.
Florida, the second-largest producer, accounts for about 8% of the country’s strawberries. Florida’s season runs from November to April, with the peak production occurring in the cooler months. That means the hurricanes that have hit Florida recently, Helene and Milton, have less impact on strawberry production. Although smaller than California’s yield, Florida plays a crucial role in providing strawberries during the winter months when California’s production slows.
More strawberry news:
Strawberries: the super fruit that could transform your health
Why do fans eat strawberries and cream at Wimbledon?
Want a huge crop of giant strawberries? Try this simple homemade fertilizer
The fruit that makes you sleepy (can you guess what one of them might be?)