Market News
Cranberry supplies are out-weighing demand, sending prices paid to independent growers falling to levels not seen in more than a decade. As of late November, cranberries were seen at as little as $10 per hundred pounds. However, it costs at least $25 to produce that much and many independent growers are losing money on every piece of fruit they harvest, reported TwinCities.com. Full Story
Recent cold weather benefited Louisiana's citrus farmers, sweetening oranges, satsumas, and Meyer lemons, reported The Times-Picayune. Plaquemines Parish is the states citrus center, with 500 of the state's 700 acres of citrus. Growers in the area sell to grocery chains, including Winn Dixie Corp., Whole Foods Corp., Fresh Market Corp., Walmart and Associated Groceries, as well as Sunflower and Stop and Shop. Full Story
U.S. soy exports achieved an all-time high in the marketing year ending Sept. 30. Sales spiked 19% for those exports in the 2012-2013 marketing year, topping $28 billion, reported Omaha.com. Full Story
China suspended shellfish imports from the U.S. West Coast after recent shipments of geoduck clams from Northwest waters were found to have high levels of arsenic and a toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning, reported KUOW. Full Story