Maxwell Farms in the Amarillo area kept its pumpkin prices close to last year's levels even after a hot, dry summer drove up the farm's costs.
Pumpkin season is underway at the farm, a fall destination for nearly 20 years. Owner Larry Borger said diesel costs were up for sure and fertilizer rose a little. He tried to hold prices steady, though some may have crept up.
The farm cannot grow enough pumpkins to meet demand, so it ships some in from outside suppliers. Those suppliers charged more this year, Borger said. He ordered fewer pumpkins than in past years because of the cost, but he still got the supply he needed.
Customers should expect smaller pumpkins than they are used to seeing, Borger said. Riley Cotton, picking pumpkins for the first time, found the prices more affordable than expected and called them "accessible to everybody." That will change how many pumpkins Cotton picks. "It's such a reasonable price for a pumpkin, especially when they're kind of hard to grow," Cotton said. Maxwell Farms offers 20 varieties. It closes Nov. 1 and reopens on Black Friday for the winter season.
Common questions
Did pumpkin prices go up at Maxwell Farms this year?
- Prices stayed close to last year's levels, though some may have crept up. Owner Larry Borger said he tried to hold prices steady even after a hot, dry summer pushed up costs. Diesel was up for sure and fertilizer rose a little.
What size pumpkins should I expect at Maxwell Farms?
- Expect smaller pumpkins than you are used to seeing, owner Larry Borger said. The farm cannot grow enough to meet demand, so it ships some in from outside suppliers. Those suppliers charged more this year, and Borger ordered fewer pumpkins than in past years because of the cost.
Did Maxwell Farms run short of pumpkins this season?
- No. Borger ordered fewer pumpkins than in past years because of the cost, but he still got the supply he needed. Pumpkin season is underway at Maxwell Farms in the Amarillo area, which has been a fall destination for nearly 20 years.
