By Clint Thompson
The absence of extreme weather during this year’s sweet corn season in Florida benefited production but negatively impacted market prices.
Weather conditions cooperated, as the state’s sweet corn growers produced a strong crop that was both high in quality and quantity. However, it also led to excess supply, which led to a drop in demand. Market prices subsequently tumbled.
It was a frustrating scenario for producers. Though they were able to move their crop, they could not take full advantage.
“There was a lot of supply, and the quality was really good, at least from what I was seeing. That was a plus,” said Karla Thompson, vice president with J.E.T. Farms, in Camilla, Georgia. Her farm produces a plethora of sweet corn in the South Georgia and South Florida regions. “Maybe because of that, the market was not great for us. It just really didn’t meet our expectations this year.”
No Freeze Impact
Though freeze events are not a common occurrence for South Florida producers, their presence during the winter months can help dwindle supply and shore up the market. But that did not materialize this year. Conditions during the production season were a little dry, but growers avoided freeze events that Florida producer Eric Hopkins said could have “knocked things out.”
“We also haven’t had any floods to damage fields or make fields where you couldn’t harvest,” said Hopkins. “That’s one of the reasons there’s extra quantity around is because of the favorable weather conditions.”
Florida production began to spike during the first week of April with harvests ending at the end of May.
Sweet corn demand usually does not increase until the April-May timeframe when temperatures start warming up across the country. People are more apt to venture outside more, grill and take advantage of the sweet corn crop with more regularity.
Hopeful for Price Improvement
Thompson said prior to Memorial Day that she was hopeful prices would improve.
“Right now, it’s fair for the Georgia crop. We’re optimistic. Everybody’s working hard, both on the farm side and the sales side. We’re hoping to get a little bit better price going forward, but right now it’s okay,” she said.
Thompson said the success of Georgia’s season would hinge on how the two holiday weekends of the year — Memorial Day and July 4 — transpire.
“What we have found is that most of the Memorial Day business is moved to Georgia. It’s gotten a lot heavier in Georgia, for us anyway, the last few years,” Thompson said. “July 4 is a big week. It used to be the biggest week, but I think Memorial Day has been edging out July 4 in the past couple of years. It’s probably Memorial Day No. 1 and Fourth of July No. 2.”
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