MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH TEXAS — Crossings (85-71-77) — Movement expected about the same. Trading early fairly active, late moderate. Supplies light. Prices higher. Red-flesh seedless-type per-pound cartons 4-6s mostly 30 cents; 24-inch bins approximately 35, 45 and 60 counts mostly 28 cents. Quality generally good. Most present shipments from prior bookings and/or previous commitments at lower prices.
CENTRAL AMERICA IMPORTS — Imports (88*-108*-62, seedless 47*-79*-8; seeded 0-0-0) — Imports via boat from Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua. Movement expected to remain about the same. Ports of entry: south Florida. Trading active. Prices higher. Cartons flat red-flesh seedless miniature 6-9s mostly $15. Red-flesh seedless-type 65- to 69-pound cartons 3-6s 32-33 cents per pound. Quality good. *revised.
MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH NOGALES, ARIZ. — Crossings (35-31-20, seedless 33-31-20, seeded 2-0-0) — Movement expected about the same. Trading active for very light supplies. Prices much higher. Red-flesh seedless-type cartons per-pound 4-5s mostly 34 cents, 6s 30-34 cents. Quality variable.
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Chiquita Brands International Inc. plans to expand its Fresh Express business in 2012 by growing its organic business, increasing its private label salads and getting into head lettuce.
In its 4th quarter and 2011 financial results conference call Feb. 21, Chiquita chief executive officer Fernando Aguirre laid out the company’s expansion plans, saying its strategy has moved from reducing debt to growing revenue. ...
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Edinburg, Texas-based Frontera Produce Ltd. has exited the onion and watermelon businesses and given way to Crescent Fruit & Vegetable LLC, a stand-alone company that Frontera owners Jim and Will Steele launched Jan. 1. ...
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Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches has dropped sprouts from its menu permanently — because of inconsistent supplies, and not an E. coli outbreak linked to the chain, according to founder Jimmy John Liautaud.
Although the company declined to comment directly about the decision, Liautaud apparently posted several comments on the Champaign, Ill.-based company’s Facebook page. ...
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Lingering banana production disruptions from hurricanes in 2011 have been complicated by ongoing cold weather and January flooding in growing regions, causing some suppliers to caution U.S. retailers to stay on top of ordering.
Two Midwest companies — Testa Produce Inc. in Chicago and Indianapolis Fruit Co. — issued urgent updates Feb. 15 about banana supplies. ...
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Deflation hit the produce department again in January, but higher fuel prices could pull prices higher in the months ahead.
The retail price index for fruits and vegetables declined by 1.3% in January for its fourth consecutive drop, according to the latest statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. ...
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In response to an E. coli outbreak in the Midwest linked to clover sprouts served at another chain, Erbert and Gerbert’s Sandwich Shops has taken alfalfa sprouts off its menus at all outlets.
Eau Claire, Wis.-based Erbert and Gerbert’s had no problems with its sprouts, but removed the item as a proactive measure Feb. 17, according to a news release. The company has 53 locations. ...
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Damage estimates are becoming clearer from the mid-February freeze that damaged Florida and Georgia blueberries.
Georgia sustained the most significant damage, said Keith Mixon, president of Dole Berry Co. LLC, Watsonville, Calif., and SunnyRidge Farm, Winter Haven, Fla.
“We expect the early Georgia crop to be down significantly from last year,” Mixon said Feb. 21. “Right now, it looks pretty desperate. Damage is above 50% but it’s hard to clarify. ...
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The 2012 California avocado crop will be bigger and last longer than last year’s, grower-shippers say, and about the only downside is that lack of rain might result in slightly smaller fruit.
This year’s forecast is 400 million pounds, according to the Irvine-based California Avocado Commission. That’s up significantly from last year’s 300 million pounds. And many growers expect the total to be even higher — in the range of 415 million pounds, said Jan DeLyser, the commission’s vice president of marketing. ...
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