Southern California and Arizona has had rain and cool conditions which has interrupted lettuce production and rains are continuing. Prices have been volatile. Other vegetables have had similar ups and downs. Recent cucumber volume is down 33 percent compared to last year, prices are three time higher. Bean and corn volume is up over 100 percent and prices are down 40 percent.
Weather can have positive effects also.
Unseasonable warm weather in the Midwest and Northeast has stimulated produce sales and increased the demand for the reduced supplies. Unseasonable demand, coupled with supply disruptions, lead to volatile consumer prices. Hog Production To Expand, Beef Production to Drop. However, heavier cattle weights will keep total beef production slightly higher than last year's through March. The reduction in cattle numbers will begin to overcome the increased weight cattlemen are putting on by mid year.