Yields on sweet corn in Indiana and New York are down a bit, which results in higher pricing than normal this time of year. “Rain and cold weather during the planting season have negatively affected yields,” says Geoff Taft, Sales Manager with Pioneer Growers. “However, the market has made up for it with pricing that stayed in the teens,” he added.

Pioneer grows sweet corn on two farms in Indiana and also has a partnership in New York state. The first sweet corn in Indiana was harvested early, on June 20th, and is expected to go strong until Labor Day. After that, production volumes will gradually wind down before the season finishes at the end of September or early October.

In New York on the other hand, harvest didn’t get started until July 20th and will continue until the state gets its first freeze, or until mid-October. “Stable yields and consistent volume are expected from New York all the way through the finish line.”

Towards the end of September or early October, sweet corn harvest in Georgia will start. This is a short deal, lasting about five to six weeks, wrapping up around mid-November. Fall volume is expected to be consistent as the major sweet corn holidays will be over by then. Pioneer Growers will harvest from two farms in Georgia and in addition to sweet corn, broccoli and cabbage are part of the product offering as well. “We should also have a bell pepper deal from Georgia,” Taft mentioned. From there, the crop will move further south with harvest in Belle Glade, FL scheduled for November.

© Pioneer Growers

Demand for tray packs
In response to high demand, Pioneer Growers is offering seasonal tray pack deals in New York and Indiana. “We already had a line for tray packing in New York and are now also trying it out in Indiana.” In Belle Glade, Florida, tray packing is offered year-round and the company is considering offering tray packs in Georgia as well this fall.

NEPC
Today, Pioneer Growers will exhibit at the annual show of the New England Produce Council in Everett, Massachusetts. Visit the company at booth #508.

For more information:
Geoff Taft
Pioneer Growers
Tel: +1 (561) 996-5211
[email protected]
www.pioneergrowers.com