Packer Stories

02/13/2012

New York stone fruit growers will receive more aid from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to offset losses from plum pox virus.

01/25/2012

Vancouver-based The Oppenheimer Group began marketing apricots from New Zealand in the third week of January as shipments started arriving on both U.S. coasts.

Oppenheimer and New Zealand partner Delica Global are importing apricots grown primarily by the Jackson, Darlings and Remarkable orchards in New Zealand’s Central Otago region.

01/19/2012

Kingsburg Orchards has added 45,000 square feet to its Cornerstone packing and shipping facility in advance of the California stone fruit season.

“We really just wanted to improve our customer service,” said Jillian Diepersloot, special projects coordinator for the Kingsburg, Calif.-based grower-shipper. “With the amount of growers we have, 13 and more coming, plus two facilities on the same driveway, when you get to July and have all that fruit coming in, space starts to get a little tight.”

12/29/2011

New Zealand-based RD8 Fresh Produce will export apricots and cherries to the U.S. through a new partnership with The Giumarra Cos.

The cherries are shipping now through mid-February with a peak in mid-January, according to a news release. Apricots will harvest in early January and finish in early March.

12/28/2011

Gerawan Farming, Sanger, Calif., the nation’s largest stone fruit grower-shipper, is a sponsor and first-time exhibitor for the 2012 Fresno Food Expo.

Market Scope - Apricots — F.o.b.s as of Jan. 17

CHILE — Imports (3-4-2) — Imports via air and boat. Movement expected to decrease as shipping season concludes. Port of entry: Los Angeles area and port of entry: Philadelphia area. Supplies insufficient and in too few hands to establish a market. LAST REPORT.