Prices for green beans from Florida have been high as rain has soaked the state's fields and limited production. That strong market is expected to last until there's a respite from the rain and growers can catch up with demand, though that may not happen in time for Easter.
“The market for green beans is extremely high,” said Jon Bowder with Pioneer Growers. “Prices per carton are usually in the $16.00 to $20.00 at this time, but f.o.b. prices here have been near $40.00, and I've heard they've gotten as high as $50.00 or $60.00 in the New York market.”
The reason for the high prices has been the scant production caused by copious amounts of rain. Growers can't plant in their fields when the fields are soaked, and even when there's a brief window of clear skies, subsequent rains affects what does get put in the field. Bowder believes production will be light until April, and that could mean even higher prices as demand increases during the run-up to Easter.
“Generally, good supplies kick in by mid-March in time for Easter,” said Bowder. “But I don't know where we'll get those beans this season, so prices could get even higher.”
