Latest News From Florida

FFVA: New import studies on squash, cucumbers confirm need for trade relief
FFVA: New import studies on squash, cucumbers confirm need for trade relief

While making no recommendations, the U.S. International Trade Commission has issued reports showing big effects of U.S. imports of squash and cucumbers on the domestic market.

Florida strawberry business updates
Florida strawberry business updates

Florida strawberry business updates from companies such as Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Gem-Pack and Wish Farms.

Automation, new varieties provide growth path for Florida strawberry industry
Automation, new varieties provide growth path for Florida strawberry industry

While labor issues and competition from California and Mexico are presenting ongoing challenges for the Florida strawberry industry.

Commissioner Nikki Fried announces 2021 Woman of the Year in Agriculture
Commissioner Nikki Fried announces 2021 Woman of the Year in Agriculture

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced Angela TenBroeck as the 2021 Woman of the Year in Agriculture.

Florida tomato crop looks steady, while competitive research continues
Florida tomato crop looks steady, while competitive research continues

People think of oranges when they think of fresh fruit from Florida, but many native and longtime Floridians immediately think of tomatoes.

Florida fall strawberry season
Florida fall strawberry season

Strawberries aren’t ready yet this fall so far, but on Nov. 26, 2020, strawberry shipments from Florida had 4,923 packages of eight 1-pound containers with lids — or almost 40,000 pounds, according to the AMS.

So far, so good for the Florida fall produce season
So far, so good for the Florida fall produce season

When it comes to fall and early winter produce in Florida, it depends on the hurricane season. And yes, growers and marketers also watch for any frosts that pop up in what’s supposed to be the Sunshine State.

Florida anticipates high-quality crop thanks to favorable growing conditions
Florida anticipates high-quality crop thanks to favorable growing conditions

Despite forecasts for a smaller production of all oranges and grapefruits this year, Florida citrus growers said favorable growing conditions are resulting in a strong, high-quality Florida citrus crop.

IMG Citrus launches YELLOS, a new Florida grapefruit brand
IMG Citrus launches YELLOS, a new Florida grapefruit brand

Vero Beach, Fla.-based IMG Citrus has announced a new Florida grapefruit brand and specialty product, YELLOS.

Commissioner Nikki Fried Calls on USDA to provide fairness to Florida farmers
Commissioner Nikki Fried Calls on USDA to provide fairness to Florida farmers

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, calling for federal action to address continued unfair foreign trade practices.

DLF International announces new hires, promotions
DLF International announces new hires, promotions

Fort Pierce, Fla.-based DLF International is pleased to announce that Ed Sheubrooks has joined the DLF sales team.

Port Manatee and Del Monte Fresh agree to extend relationship
Port Manatee and Del Monte Fresh agree to extend relationship

Florida’s Port Manatee and Del Monte Fresh Produce NA Inc. have reached an agreement to keep the company’s fruit imports coming into seaport until at least 2026, with options through 2036.

Increasing tomato imports from Mexico could cost U.S. growers $250 million annually, University of Florida study shows
Increasing tomato imports from Mexico could cost U.S. growers $250 million annually, University of Florida study shows

Darker days may be ahead for U.S. tomato growers, new research from the University of Florida shows.

New UF extension agent in Highlands County hired
New UF extension agent in Highlands County hired

Lourdes Pérez Cordero did not grow up in a citrus growing family, but you wouldn’t know that after meeting her.

Remembering Sabine Henry of Central American Produce
Remembering Sabine Henry of Central American Produce

Sabine Henry, tropical manager and salesperson at Central American Produce for almost two decades, passed away August 30.

Florida releases new report showing $4 billion economic impact of unfair Mexican imports
Florida releases new report showing $4 billion economic impact of unfair Mexican imports

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried Aug. 30 released an 84-page report showing 10% to 20% in annual lost sales of Florida seasonal producers because of expanded Mexican imports.

Florida growers, importers dispute terms of suspension agreement
Florida growers, importers dispute terms of suspension agreement

Florida tomato growers and Mexican tomato importers continue to tussle over the terms of the suspension agreement between Mexican tomato growers and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Another battle in the tomato war
Another battle in the tomato war

The battle over Mexican tomato prices has reared up again between warring grower groups.

Lawmakers re-introduce bill to combat unfair trade practices harming Florida fruit and vegetable producers
Lawmakers re-introduce bill to combat unfair trade practices harming Florida fruit and vegetable producers

Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rick Scott, R-Fla. re-introduced legislation to help Florida fruit and vegetable growers combat unfair trade practices “by countries like Mexico,” according to a news release.

Generation Farms appoints Mike Thomas as CEO
Generation Farms appoints Mike Thomas as CEO

Generation Farms is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Thomas as its new CEO effective April 2021.

PJ Citrus switches sourcing to California
PJ Citrus switches sourcing to California

With citrus harvest ending from Florida in May, citrus distributor PJ Citrus, Doral, Fla., will source citrus from California, said Julyann Borges, president of the company. 

Lipman Family Farms strengthens partnerships with local family-operated farms
Lipman Family Farms strengthens partnerships with local family-operated farms

With demand for locally sourced produce on the rise, Lipman Family Farms is advancing its commitment to family-operated farms through the Lipman Local program.

Oranges
Florida citrus industry continues to be vital player in state economy

Despite a decrease in citrus production, the Florida citrus industry contributed more value to the state of Florida in 2019-20 than the previous season. 

Florida avocados face challenges with hot real estate market, disease pressure
Florida avocados face challenges with hot real estate market, disease pressure

Florida avocado growers have seen supply waiver with hot demand for South Florida real estate and from disease pressure.

Promising advancements in biocontrol treatment that slows citrus greening  
Promising advancements in biocontrol treatment that slows citrus greening  

Florida citrus growers may have a new tool to help them slow the presence of citrus greening in already diseased trees.  

Wish Farms celebrates new HQ with PixieRock! music festival
Wish Farms celebrates new HQ with PixieRock! music festival

Berry grower-marketer Wish Farms hosted a rockin' party — called PixieRock! — for the public to celebrate its new headquarters in Plant City, Fla, and proceeds went to several charities.

FL scientists use computers to breed better-tasting strawberries
FL scientists use computers to breed better-tasting strawberries

Artificial intelligence can tell which strawberries will taste better, according to new University of Florida research.

IMG Citrus adds 2,500-acre grove in Southwest Florida
IMG Citrus adds 2,500-acre grove in Southwest Florida

Vero Beach, Fla.-based IMG Citrus, a citrus grower, packer and shipper, acquired a 2,500-acre citrus grove in Charlotte County, Fla.

Beginning of Florida blueberry season marked by new variety
Beginning of Florida blueberry season marked by new variety

As April starts this week, we enter the Florida blueberry season and the sweet taste that comes with the fruit.

Wish Farms cuts ribbon on its new headquarters
Wish Farms cuts ribbon on its new headquarters

Berry marketer Wish Farms has opened the doors to its new headquarters in Plant City, Fla. 

Oranges Citrus
Nutrien Ag Solutions Partners with Elemental Enzymes to Combat Citrus Greening

“Since 2005, citrus growers have been plagued by citrus greening—a yield- and quality-robbing disease complex that has devastated the industry—causing farm gate losses of more than $8 billion,” says Ryan Bond.

Some points about Florida’s peaches
Some points about Florida’s peaches

With about 2,000 acres of commercial peaches, Florida isn’t a major player in domestic peach production.

What’s pestering Sunshine State produce
What’s pestering Sunshine State produce

Florida’s tropical and subtropical climates mean pests, disease and fungus are a constant concern for growers. 

Florida’s peaches are blushing
Florida’s peaches are blushing

All humility aside, it’s good to be first. Florida is the first state in the U.S. to have ripe, marketable peaches each year, a point of pride for the state’s growers and marketers.

Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association names new director of labor relations

James “Jamie” Fussell Jr. is the new director of labor relations at the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, replacing Mike Carlton, who retired in November.

Fresh Del Monte Produce opens FRSHst restaurant In Miami 

FRSHst™, the innovative fresh and healthy dining experience from Coral Gables, Fla.-based Fresh Del Monte Produce has just launched in Miami.

Florida citrus growers anticipate a good year
Florida citrus growers anticipate a good year

This should be a good year for Florida citrus with grower-shippers reporting good growing conditions for oranges and grapefruit, and some suppliers adding increasingly popular easy peelers.

J&C Tropicals appoints Jessie Capote as CEO

Miami-based J&C Tropicals has appointed Jessie Capote as the firm’s new CEO.

Florida ag commissioner comments on strawberry, bell pepper imports
Florida ag commissioner comments on strawberry, bell pepper imports

Today, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried offered formal comment to the U.S. International Trade Commission on two investigations into imports of strawberries and bell peppers into the American market.

Ample supplies, increased interest set citrus up for a strong season
Ample supplies, increased interest set citrus up for a strong season

Consumers typically turn to citrus to load up on vitamin C during cold and flu season, but this year, suppliers hope they’ll stock up on even more grapefruit, oranges, mandarins and lemons to keep COVID-19 at bay.

Commissioner Nikki Fried Grants Santa Claus & Reindeer Animal Movement Permit

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) are issuing a Certificate of Animal Movement to Mr. and Mrs. Claus of the North Pole.

Dan Duda
Dan Duda announces retirement as CEO of Duda Farm Fresh Foods

Dan Duda, CEO and former president of Duda Farm Fresh Foods, will retire after 40 years from the six-generation family-owned company effective December 31, 2020.

University of Florida researchers are developing an app that they hope will help limit the spread of laurel wilt disease in the state.
Florida supercomputer will help limit avocado laurel wilt disease

Researchers at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences are developing an app to pick the best regional treatment options for the state’s avocado laurel wilt disease.

Fresh-market tangerines harvesting in Florida

Florida’s citrus harvest in early November continued with navel and Hamlin oranges, red grapefruit and Fallglo and Early Pride tangerines, mostly for the fresh market, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Florida makes more COVID-19 testing available for farmworkers
Florida makes more COVID-19 testing available for farmworkers

Additional COVID-19 testing sites in Florida’s Miami-Dade, Hendry, and St. Lucie counties are available for farmworkers as the fall harvest season begins, the Florida Department of Agriculture has announced.

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association names new director of communications
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association names new director of communications

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has named Christina Morton as its new director of communications. 

South Mill Champs expands distribution with Florida center
South Mill Champs expands distribution with Florida center

Kennett Square, Pa.-based mushroom grower South Mill Champs purchased a new distribution center in Lakeland, Fla.

Bridge and PGIM Real Estate get $67 million loan for cold storage South Florida 
Bridge and PGIM Real Estate get $67 million loan for cold storage South Florida 

PGIM Real Estate and Bridge Development Partners have secured $67 million in financing to develop a 312,103-square-foot cold storage facility in Hialeah, Fla. 

Import competition, pandemic pose some problems for Florida fall produce
Import competition, pandemic pose some problems for Florida fall produce

Florida’s fall crops may be safe from a devastating hurricane this year, although it’s been a pretty wet planting season with a pandemic that never seems to end and growing competition from imports.

Packer Insight — FDA investigations, H-2A news, online grocery and more
Packer Insight — FDA investigations, H-2A news, online grocery and more

Tom Karst, Chris Koger, Amy Sowder and Ashley Nickle take you through the big stories of the week, from developments related to H-2A wages to company news born from increased demand for online grocery services.