CARMI, Ill. (RFD NEWS) — 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 that 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.
Producer Prices: June 2026
| Crop | Farm-Level Changes from June 2025 |
| Lettuce | Up 331% |
| Fresh Vegetables (Excluding Potatoes) | Up 98.5% |
| Celery | Up 91.8% |
| Cantaloupes | Up 82% |
| Strawberries | Up 65.5% |
| Cucumbers | Up 62.6% |
| Dry Onions | Up 60.8% |
| Green Peppers | Up 45.4% |
| Red Delicious Apples | Up 31% |
| Lemons | Up 29% |
| Round White Potatoes | Down 43.3% |
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.
Crop Insurance Guidance for Vegetable Growers
Weather continues to be one of the biggest factors influencing crop markets as producers contend with extreme heat, heavy rainfall, and market volatility.
Brooks York with AgriSompo joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to discuss what this time of year looks like for crop insurance providers, updates on Margin Coverage Option (MCO), and resources available for producers exploring livestock coverage.
In his interview with RFD News, York said August marks the home stretch for many U.S. row crops, but it remains a busy time for crop insurance providers. He said the company’s current focus includes livestock risk protection while also preparing for the upcoming crop insurance sales season and producer coverage decisions.
York also discussed the Margin Coverage Option (MCO), noting there are no changes to how the policy operates for 2027 coverage. However, he said producers will have additional considerations when evaluating MCO alongside other available coverage options during the upcoming enrollment period.
For producers interested in learning more, York said information on livestock coverage and Margin Coverage Option is available through AgriSompo and other educational resources designed to help producers compare available insurance options.
LEARN MORE: www.agrisompo.com
