Original article written by Dr. Grady Miller, NC State University Professor
Researchers at North Carolina State University recently conducted an annual survey to examine inventory and pricing of North Carolina sod. This survey was completed in March, 2019 and a brief overview of the results can be found below along with the original article. Several U.S. states conduct annual sod surveys to assess pricing, demand, and availability and this is North Carolina’s fifth year completing this survey.
Overview
- Supply of bermudagrass sod is similar to 2018, with most suppliers saying they have adequate supplies for their expected demand in 2019. There still may be some shortages.
- Supply of zoysiagrass and St. Augustinegrass are expected to be better in 2019 compared to 2018.
- Shortages for tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass sod were predicted for 2019.
- This was the second consecutive year that producers predicted they could have shortages of centipedegrass sod.
- There are expected price increases for all the turfgrass species in 2019. Of the actual prices reported for early 2019, St. Augustinegrass, zoysiagrass, and centipedegrass had the greatest increases.
- There was a 10% increase in growers reporting that they grew certified sod.
- Production acreage has slightly increased over 2018.
- The primary markets for North Carolina sod producers are landscape contractors.
- There was an uptick in sales to the sports/athletic field sector of consumers in compared to previous years.
Click the link below for the original article and full survey from NC State Extension:
