The effects of a cold, wet winter in Florida will likely linger into spring this year. For many vegetable crops, the crop cycle is such that volumes won't recover until several weeks after weather conditions improve.
Corn
Supplies of sweet corn from Florida remain light while demand is good. That's a recipe for a strong market, and prices through January and February reflect that. On February 17, prices for a crate of yellow sweet corn were between $30.95 and $34.95. That's a significant increase over prices from early January, when prices for yellow and bi-colored corn were in the low and mid-20s.
Back in January, Homestead Pole Bean Cooperative's Emilio Mirza Khani explained that high prices early in the year are uncommon because demand for corn typically peaks in the summer months. But, such prolonged inclement weather, this season has not been a very typical season.
Radishes
The 30-day crop cycle for radishes means that growers still need to wait a month after the weather clears before production can start to catch up with demand. Earlier this month, TC Marketing's Jeff Walker explained that the double hit of low temperatures and sustained rain effectively took out big portions of the radish crop in the Belle Glade area.
As with corn, prices have been high. On February 17, prices for a carton of 40 one-pound film bags were between $42.10 and $42.55. Those prices will remain strong so long as supplies are light. A week ago, Walker noted that that will likely be the case through next month.
Beans
Supplies of green beans usually kick in around the middle of March, noted Pioneer Growers' Jon Bowder earlier this month. That coincides with the demand pull brought on by Easter. But rain and cold have also battered the state's green bean crop, so supplies are scant. That will likely be the case until April, which means prices, which were in the high-30s and low-40s this week, are likely to increase the closer we get to Easter.
