Eggplant

Commodity Overview

Eggplant has gained popularity as a meat replacement for vegetarian consumers while others seek it out as a healthy side dish. Promote eggplant to those health-conscious shoppers to boost eggplant’s contribution to your bottom line.

PLUs

4081 regular
4599 baby
4600 baby white
3089 Chinese
4601 Japanese
3090 Thai
4602 white

Varieties

Chinese Long Eggplant

Purple Globe Eggplant

Thai Eggplant

Italian Eggplant

White Eggplant

Graffiti Eggplant

Japanese Eggplant

Retail Price Data is based on USDA Specialty Crops Market News surveys. Data collection ends on the report date and encompasses ad pricing good from the Saturday before the report release date through the following Friday. Weekly data - from over 400 retailers, comprising more than 30,000 individual stores with online weekly advertised features - covers over 250 produce items. Registered (logged-in) users, can access weekly reports and additional market information.

USDA Specialty Crops Market News publishes FOB and Movement data on a daily and weekly basis. Pricing and volume information is aggregated by commodity and published weekly, subject to any source-data adjustments. Commodity data is further processed based on origin (domestic vs imports) and type (regular vs. organic). Registered (logged-in) users, can access weekly reports and additional market information.

Facts

Eggplant offers a host of health benefits. It has been shown to help protect brain cells. Eggplant also contains antioxidants, which have been shown to help fight cancer. Studies on animals have shown eggplant to be effective at reducing cholesterol. Eggplant can help regulate diabetes because of its high fiber and low soluble carbohydrates.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the following nutrient content descriptors for eggplant: fat-free, saturated fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free and low in calories.

Sales Strategies

Eggplant is most often used as an ingredient in other dishes, which lends itself well to cross-promotion. Cross-merchandise eggplant with frying batter, deep fryers, olive oil and vegetarian items, such as tofu.
Eggplant is available year-round, so offer promotions throughout the year.
Fall: Stuffed eggplant is a hearty option for a meal as the weather gets cooler. Promote eggplant as a great option for autumn meals. Promote eggplant when you promote squash.
Winter: Include eggplant in New Year’s promotions aimed at the health-conscious consumer as it is often a vegetarian meat substitute. Include eggplant in Chinese New Year promotions as it is popular with Asian consumers.
Spring: Promote eggplant as a different option for the spring holidays. Include it in Mother’s Day and Easter promotions.
Summer: Eggplant is an excellent grilling vegetable. Include it in summertime grilling promotions.

Dynamic Displays

Broaden your display by offering both full-size and baby varieties of eggplant.
Stack eggplant no more than two layers high to avoid bruising the bottom layer.
Place eggplant next to squash for a delightful color contrast. Both vegetables can be served stuffed, so it’s a natural pairing.
Eggplant’s purple color contrasts well with tomatoes or bell peppers. Use its unusual color to create an eye-catching display.
Include plenty of preparation tips and recipes on your display as many consumers do not know how to prepare eggplant.

Food Service

Eggplant can be cooked in many ways, including baking, broiling, scalloping, marinating, deep frying or sauteeing. Serve it as both a side dish and an entrée.
Eggplant can be served as a meat substitute. Consider topping it with mushrooms, sour cream, yogurt or tomatoes.
Stuffed eggplant makes a unique, attractive dish. Stuff it with meat, fish or vegetables.
Saute eggplant in olive oil for a healthy side dish.
Consider offering fried eggplant as an alternative to french fries.

In the Backroom

Shipping
33-lb. bushel or 11⁄19-bushel cartons/crates/baskets 33-lb. 3.56 dekaliter cartons 26- to 28-lb. cartons/crates/lugs 25-lb. cartons 22-lb. L.A. lugs/cartons, 18 to 24 count 17-lb. 1⁄2- and 5⁄9-bushel lugs RPC 6419, 6420

Grades
U.S. Fancy U.S. No. 1 U.S. No. 2

Handling
Temperature: 46 to 54 F, 8 to 12 C Relative humidity: 90-95% Mist: yes Typical shelf life: 10 to 14 days Ethylene-sensitive. Do not store or transport with commodities that produce ethylene. Odor sensitive. Do not store next to ginger or onions. Susceptible to chilling injury. Eggplant is sensitive to temperature extremes and requires a cool atmosphere to cut moisture loss. If left at room temperature for several days, produce becomes soft and wrinkled. Small scars on eggplant, commonly caused by wind, do not affect quality.

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Grower Alliance LLC

Overview (9) (0) (1)

Business Type:

Broker, Grower, Shipper, Importer, Wholesaler

Location HQ:

Rio Rico, 85648 Arizona

Deciduous Fruit:

Grapes

Melons:

Honeydew, Watermelon, Seedless Red Watermelon

Cooking Vegetables:

Corn, Eggplant, Peppers, Chili, Squash, Summer, Squash, Winter

Salad Vegetables:

Cucumbers

Coosemans LA Inc

Overview (9) (8) (5)

Business Type:

Shipper, Importer

Location HQ:

Los Angeles, 90021 California

Berries:

Blackberries, Blueberries, Cranberries, Raspberries, Strawberries

Citrus:

Lemons, Limes, Oranges

Deciduous Fruit:

Apples, Asian Pears

Valley Fruit and Produce/Continental Export

Overview (1) (1) (11)

Business Type:

Exporter, Shipper, Importer, Processor

Location HQ:

Los Angeles, 90021-1616 California

Berries:

Blackberries, Blueberries, Cranberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Specialty Berries

Citrus:

Grapefruit, Lemons, Oranges, Clementines / Mandarins / Tangerines

UNFI Produce - Headquarters

Overview (35) (0) (7)

Business Type:

Shipper, Wholesaler

Location HQ:

Providence, 02908-5637 Rhode Island

Berries:

Cranberries

Deciduous Fruit:

Apples, Figs, Grapes, Pears, Pomegranates

Stone Fruit:

Apricots, Cherries, Nectarines, Peaches

Green Life Farms LLC

Overview (4) (0) (0)

Business Type:

Grower, Shipper, Marketing & Advertising

Location HQ:

La Quinta, 92253 California

Melons:

Cantaloupe, Honeydew

Cooking Vegetables:

Asparagus, Beans, Beets, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Corn, Garlic, Kale

Bridges Produce Inc

Overview (11) (0) (10)

Business Type:

Broker, Exporter, Shipper, Importer, Wholesaler

Location HQ:

Portland, 97282 Oregon

Berries:

Blackberries, Blueberries, Cranberries

Organic Produce:

Organic Apples, Organic Beans, Organic Blackberries, Organic Blueberries, Organic Cherries, Organic Cranberries, Organic Cucumbers

UNFI Produce - New England Division

Overview (7) (0) (0)

Business Type:

Wholesaler

Location HQ:

Chesterfield, 03443 New Hampshire

Berries:

Cranberries

Deciduous Fruit:

Apples, Figs, Grapes, Pears, Pomegranates

Stone Fruit:

Apricots, Cherries, Nectarines, Peaches

UNFI Produce - West Division

Overview (4) (0) (0)

Business Type:

Broker, Shipper

Location HQ:

Vernon, 90058 California

Berries:

Blackberries, Blueberries, Cranberries, Raspberries, Strawberries

Citrus:

Grapefruit, Lemons, Oranges

Deciduous Fruit:

Apples, Figs

Chapman Fruit Co Inc

Overview (1) (1) (0)

Business Type:

Broker, Grower, Shipper, Wholesaler

Location HQ:

Immokalee, 34142 Florida

Cooking Vegetables:

Eggplant, Peppers, Chili, Squash, Summer, Squash, Winter, Jalapeño Peppers, Zucchini Squash

Salad Vegetables:

Peppers, Bell, Cucumbers, Pickling Cucumbers

Mucci Farms (Mexico)

Overview (2) (0) (0)

Business Type:

Grower, Shipper, Wholesaler

Location HQ:

Guadalajara, 44630 Jalisco

Berries:

Strawberries

Cooking Vegetables:

Eggplant

Salad Vegetables:

Peppers, Bell, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Red Bell Peppers, Yellow Bell Peppers, Orange Bell Peppers, Green Bell Peppers

Eggplant

Eggplant

Commodity Overview

PLUs

Varieties

Facts

Sales Strategies

Dynamic Displays

Food Service

In the Backroom

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