Aug 2, 2016

Western Growers updates Produce Price Index website

Western Growers has revamped its “Produce Price Index” (PPI) website to allow consumers to identify the price difference between what customers pay at grocery stores for fresh produce and what farmers receive for their products. The PPI details the selling price at the farm, the average price charged at major retail stores and the percentage spread between the two.

“The escalating input costs farmers have to pay in order to sustain a nutritious and reliable global food supply is often overlooked,” said Tom Oliveri, director of trade practices & commodity services at Western Growers. “With this improved Produce Price Index, we’ll continue to educate the public on the gap between farm and retail prices, as well as help consumers understand the pricing structure in the agriculture industry.”

Western Growers has been providing pricing data on fresh produce items since 1996. The index, which is now outfitted with an improved interface and easier navigation, highlights how farmers continue to remain price takers rather than price makers, Western Growers said. Many consumers do not realize that on average farmers receive less than 16 cents of every $1 spent on food.

The PPI is updated weekly and lists prices from U.S. cities including Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago and New York. Users now have the ability to search the database by commodity, date range and location. Visit the PPI website at www.producepriceindex.com. For more information, contact Tom Oliveri at 949-885-2269.