WASHINGTON, DC – Fresh vegetable prices surged at the farm level in June, but grocery increases remained far smaller, widening the gap between producer markets and consumer costs. USDA price-index data shows fresh vegetables excluding potatoes were 98.5 percent above June 2025.
Lettuce produced the sharpest move. Its producer price index climbed 331 percent from last year, nearly 492 percent from five years ago, and 322 percent from June 2016.
Retail changes were substantial but much smaller. The consumer lettuce index rose 32 percent, while average prices increased 46 percent for iceberg lettuce and 36 percent for romaine.
Other farm-level increases included celery at 91.8 percent, cantaloupes at 82 percent, strawberries at 65.5 percent, cucumbers at 62.6 percent, and dry onions at 60.8 percent.
The divergence shows that farm prices can move faster and more violently than retail values because of weather, timing, perishability, transportation, and marketing costs. Growers will watch whether elevated producer prices persist or retreat as supplies shift.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Extreme farm-level vegetable gains do not translate immediately or equally into retail prices.
Producer Price Sidebar: June 2026 (Farm-level changes from June 2025)
Lettuce: up 331 percent
Fresh vegetables excluding potatoes: up 98.5 percent
Celery: up 91.8 percent
Cantaloupes: up 82 percent
Strawberries: up 65.5 percent
Cucumbers: up 62.6 percent
Dry onions: up 60.8 percent
Green peppers: up 45.4 percent
Red Delicious apples: up 31 percent
Lemons: up 29 percent
Round white potatoes: down 43.3 percent