UNITED STATES - Demand for potatoes remains strong, with supplies from key producing regions staying strong as well.

Reports from The Source outline that sheds are actively making deals, although smaller counts are becoming harder to find. “Burbanks are now available with Norkotahs as the main variety,” the report went on. “Washington potatoes are producing excellent quality, peaking on mid-sizes, while large and small counts remain tight. Color potatoes are available. Trucking continues to influence the market. New crop sweet potatoes from CA and NC are also available.”

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National FOB Review from January 7, 2026, reported moderate demand and a “market about steady.”

Pricing ranges from each shipping point. Pricing reported for Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah (one baled 5 10-lb film bags non-size A) in Upper Valley, Twin Falls, Idaho, averaged around 3.00–4.75 for Burbank and 3.00–4.00 for Norkotah.

For the same sizes and varieties, pricing out of Washington and Oregon averaged around 4.00–5.00. Out of Colorado, the pricing was slightly elevated at 6.00–7.00. Out of Wisconsin, it was even higher at 6.50–8.00, and out of Michigan, higher still at 10.00–12.00.

Keep reading ANUK as we cover category and market updates like this.

GRAND FORKS, ND - Ten Acre Marketing is starting the new year with new growth. The agency welcomes three team members to support client service and creative operations. Joelle Orem and James Drewicke join as account coordinators, and Matheus Spinelli comes on board as creative studio manager. Together, they bring lived ag experience, solid marketing expertise, and enthusiasm for amplifying the power of agriculture.

Meet the New Team Members

Joelle Orem

Joelle is an award-winning creative and Indiana farmer with more than 12 years of experience in brand strategy, agricultural marketing, and entrepreneurship. Her work covers both B2B and consumer-facing brands in agriculture, conservation, and rural lifestyle, with a focus on community-driven engagement and authentic storytelling. In addition to her role at Ten Acre Marketing, Joelle runs a direct-to-consumer beef brand with her husband. Her background brings a firsthand understanding of agriculture to every client relationship.

James Drewicke

James grew up on a farm in Minnesota, giving him a passion for agriculture and an appreciation for rural life. He has strong marketing credentials to match his lifelong connection to the industry, with a degree in strategic communication from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where he studied advertising and public relations. James brings years of agri-marketing agency experience supporting a wide variety of clients in crop protection, seed, and biologicals to Ten Acre Marketing.

Matheus Spinelli

With more than 20 years in branding, retail, and digital marketing, Matheus specializes in turning complex ideas into clear, compelling visual narratives. He has a range of experience, from leading creative initiatives at a Fortune 500 professional services firm to evolving and modernizing brand identities in fresh food and e-commerce. As creative studio manager at Ten Acre Marketing, Matheus oversees studio operations, asset flow, and process improvement to ensure creative teams deliver smart, effective work for ag clients.

Blending Ag Experience and Marketing Expertise

“As our client work grows, so does the need for people who understand both agriculture and advertising,” said Leah Halverson, founder and CEO of Ten Acre Marketing, in the recent release. “These new team members strengthen our unique troupe of agricultural and marketing professionals. Positioning brands to advance agriculture is a promise we’re proud to keep for our clients. Our newest team members will sharpen and enhance our ability to deliver on that promise.”

With new talent in account services and creative operations, Ten Acre Marketing continues to expand and enhance its solutions for agricultural brands, amplifying the power of agriculture through smart storytelling, strong strategic positioning, and results-focused creative execution.

ISSAQUAH, WA - Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $29.86 billion for the retail month of December, the five weeks ended January 4, 2026, an increase of 8.5 percent from $27.52 billion last year.

Net sales for the first eighteen weeks were $101.83 billion, an increase of 8.3 percent from $94.04 billion last year.

Additional discussion of these results is available in a pre-recorded message. It can be accessed by visiting investor.costco.com (click on “Events & Presentations”). This message will be available through 4:00 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

Costco currently operates 923 warehouses, including 633 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 114 in Canada, 42 in Mexico, 37 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 20 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, three in France, two in Sweden, and one each in Iceland, and New Zealand. Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia.

See the full release here.

WASHINGTON, US - The pear market remains steady overall, with moderate demand supporting stable pricing across the Yakima Valley and Wenatchee District, according to the USDA’s National FOB Review on January 7, 2026. Pricing continues to vary primarily by size and grade, with larger counts generally commanding higher returns.

For Bartlett® pears, U.S. One 40-pound cartons wrapped are mostly trading in the mid-$20 range for 60s through 80s, with 60s–70s largely at $24.95–$26.95. Smaller sizes show softer pricing, with 100s and 110s mostly between $20.95–$22.95, while 120s and 135s are generally in the high-teens to low-$20 range. WA Fancy Bartletts® are moving at lower price points overall, with most sizes clustered between $16.95–$20.95.

D’Anjou® pears continue to show steady demand across sizes. U.S. One cartons for 60s through 90s are mostly trading between $25.95–$28.95, while 100s and 110s are largely in the low-to-mid-$20 range. Smaller sizes, including 120s and 135s, are mostly between $18.95–$20.95. WA Fancy D’Anjous remain more moderately priced, with most sizes ranging from $16.95–$20.95.

For Bosc® pears, U.S., one carton is seeing firm pricing in larger counts, with 70s and 80s mostly at $25.95–$28.95. Mid-range sizes such as 90s and 100s are generally trading in the mid-$20s, while smaller sizes trend lower. WA Fancy Bosc pricing remains softer overall, with most sizes ranging from the high-teens to low-$20s.

Overall, the Washington pear market remains balanced, with moderate demand and steady supplies keeping pricing largely unchanged. Size continues to be the primary driver of value, particularly for Bartlett®, D’Anjou®, and Bosc® varieties.

ANUK will monitor how demand and sizing dynamics impact pear markets moving forward.

SAN ANTONIO, TX - H-E-B officially opened its Culebra & 211 H-E-B store, which will serve neighborhoods on San Antonio’s far West Side and communities near Medina Lake. At 120,000 square feet, the store offers customers a shopping destination with a commitment to deliver unsurpassed freshness and quality at H-E-B’s everyday low prices.

Filled with amenities and unique departments that H-E-B is known for, the Culebra & 211 H-E-B store has distinctive features such as H-E-B Curbside and Home Delivery with service to Lakehills, Medina Lake, and Mico areas; full-service H-E-B Pharmacy and True Texas BBQ restaurant with drive-thrus; and a Texas Backyard, featuring plants, grills, and other outdoor essentials.

The store is located at 15489 Culebra Road in San Antonio and is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The True Texas BBQ restaurant at the store will operate from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

“Our store Partners are thrilled to finally open our doors to this amazing community,” said Beto Ardilla, Culebra & 211 H-E-B General Manager, in the recent release. “This has been a highly anticipated store, and our Partners are ready to serve our customers with top-notch service, great selection, and a quality shopping experience.”

Other store highlights include:

• Bakery featuring artisan breads, cakes, and our famous in-store made, warm tortillas
• Beauty department with a wide selection of cosmetics and other beauty items
• Blooms floral department, offering online ordering and delivery service
• Cooking Connection with live demos and samplings for easy recipes to make at home
• Deli department with an expansive cheese selection and charcuterie station
• Sushiya offering handmade sushi selections made in-store daily and an Asian grill with rice bowls, teriyaki, and more
• H-E-B Meal Simple with fresh, convenient chef-inspired meals prepared in store
• Produce section with large organic, Texas-grown selections, and cold-press juices
• Meat market with Prime, natural, and organic meats, Wagyu, and fully cooked options
• As the #1 beer and wine retailer in Texas, the store has an extensive craft beer and wine section with a wine sampling station
• Healthy Living department with bulk food items, sports nutrition products, supplements, and fresh ground nut butters
• Texas Backyard department, featuring plants, pottery, grills, and outdoor essentials
• Pet department featuring Heritage Ranch by H-E-B pet food, as well as fun toys and treats for all your furry friend’s needs

Inside and out, H-E-B designed the store to reflect the character of the surrounding communities. The location incorporates environmental sustainability design elements and several energy-efficient inclusions such as CO2 refrigeration units, LED lighting, and extensive native landscaping throughout the property.

As the largest privately held employer in Texas, H-E-B’s Culebra & 211 store employs more than 425 Partners. All job opportunities can be found at H-E-B Careers.

Through its Spirit of Giving philosophy, H-E-B is passionately dedicated to its customers beyond its stores. In this spirit, H-E-B commemorated the store’s grand opening with a total of $45,000 going to support organizations that support the communities near the store. The Medina Valley Education Foundation, Bandera ISD Education Foundation, and Northside Education Foundation each received $15,000 gifts.