Farm Market Price Information

Where can I get more information about market prices farmers receive? CDFA. Each year CDFA produces a report entitled the ‘Agricultural Resource Directory’, which contains substantial information about the agricultural industry from both a statewide and county perspective. The report is available on CDFA’s website at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov. USDA. The Agricultural Market Service (AMS) and the Economic Research Service (ERS) of the USDA have reports that contain valuable information for farmers in our area. AMS tracks prices for various crops including those for ornamental crops and fruits and vegetables. Prices are organized by national shipping point and include California locations. Prices are listed on a weekly, and sometimes daily basis. This information can be downloaded from www.ams.usda.gov/marketnews.htm under fruit, vegetable and specialty crop reports and viewed in an “easy to read” PDF format. ERS also issues periodic commodity “outlook” reports that contain market updates, changing market conditions, production and price information, among other topics. These reports are issued anywhere for two times per year for floriculture and nursery crops to six times per year for fruit and tree nuts and vegetable and melon crops. This information can be downloaded from www.ers.usda.gov/publications/outlook. Most reports highlight a specific commodity and offer more detailed information. For example, the July report for fruit and tree nuts highlights blueberries, while the February vegetable and melon report highlights fresh-market asparagus. If you do not have access to the internet please call or visit our office for more information and assistance. The CDFA Agricultural Resource Directory is available in booklet form for a cost of roughly $15. You may call (916) 498-5161 for purchasing assistance.