Crops & Markets

USDA approves vegetables from Colombia

Fresh celery, arugula and spinach grown in Colombia have been approved for import into the U.S.

Tomato growers hope deal turns around

Tomato growers and shippers in California and Baja California, Mexico, say they are hoping for the best after seeing the worst, as their crops approach harvest for this season.

California stone fruit down more than 15% after hail

Production of California stone fruit is about to accelerate but is showing much less volume than usual thanks to an April 11 hailstorm.

“We expect a crop of 40 million boxes or below on peaches, plums and nectarines,” said Barry Bedwell, president of Fresno-based California Grape & Tree Fruit League. “We think it’s down (at least) 15% from a normal crop.”

Idaho Potato Commission expands with new office locations

The Idaho Potato Commission, Eagle, Idaho, opened a Mexico City office to serve Latin America.

Canada receives approval request for GMO non-browning apple

Still facing market skepticism, Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. is seeking Canadian approval for the genetically engineered “Arctic’ non-browning apple.

Freeze cuts Michigan apple crop by more than 50%

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — More than half of Michigan’s apple crop — possibly much more — could be lost due to late-April freezes, and the state’s southwestern fruit production is a near-total loss.

Apple holdings up 1% over same period last year

About 30.5 million bushels of U.S. fresh-market apples were still in storage on May 1, 1% more than a year ago at the same time.

Ontario, U.S. apples hurt by late April freezes

Freezing temperatures at the end of April could have a devastating effect on Ontario apple crops, and U.S. grower-shippers also were affected.

Pepper grower-shippers predict steady prices, good supply

With no major weather issues plaguing growing areas, pepper producers expect a quality crop in steady supply to kick off the summer season.

Demand for super-hot peppers buoys markets

Some like it hot. And some like it really hot. Superhot varieties of peppers are gaining in popularity and making a space for themselves in the hot pepper market along with their popular pepper cousins, the jalapeño, serrano and habañero.