Latest News From Mexico

Criollo mango sees growing interest
Criollo mango sees growing interest

San Juan, Texas-based distributor Grande Produce spotlighted the variety during the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase, held March 25-26.

ProducePay, Four Star Fruit partner with Mexican growers to supply table grapes
ProducePay, Four Star Fruit partner with Mexican growers to supply table grapes

The companies have joined with leading Mexican growers to provide 4 million cases of table grapes during May and early June, which is traditionally the lowest volume period of the year.

IFPA to bring agribusiness industry together at Mexico Conference 
IFPA to bring agribusiness industry together at Mexico Conference 

The event, set for May 22-23 in Guadalajara, is a strategic opportunity for those who do business in Mexico or who wish to do business there, with a gathering of professionals throughout the fresh produce supply chain.

Despite challenging season for Mexican produce imports, long-term growth continues
Despite challenging season for Mexican produce imports, long-term growth continues

Hurricanes last fall, recent drought and other factors have held back some fresh produce output in Mexico in recent months, but the value of U.S. imports from the country continues to climb. 

Ciruli Bros. touts its Champagne mangoes for March promotion
Ciruli Bros. touts its Champagne mangoes for March promotion

March is a great month for the retail promotion of Champagne mangoes from Ciruli Bros. LLC.

GM Produce Sales celebrates milestone
GM Produce Sales celebrates milestone

Hidalgo, Texas-based GM Produce Sales LLC is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a mango importer.

Here's how much U.S. imports and consumption of mangoes has changed over time
Here's how much U.S. imports and consumption of mangoes has changed over time

The U.S. imports virtually all its fresh mango supply. Mexico was by far the leading mango supplier to the U.S. in 2023, followed by Peru, Brazil and Ecuador.

2024 Mexican mango season underway for Urapa Produce
2024 Mexican mango season underway for Urapa Produce

Mexican mango grower-shipper Urapa Produce has announced the start of its mango season.

How Mission Produce builds its Mexican mango business
How Mission Produce builds its Mexican mango business

The upcoming 2024 Mexican mango season is poised to be a record season as more retailers understand that mangoes can be positioned all summer long, says Tim Beerup, mango consultant for Mission Produce, Oxnard, Calif.

U.S., Mexican officials pledge to stop avocado shipments from illegal orchards
U.S., Mexican officials pledge to stop avocado shipments from illegal orchards

The U.S. and Mexico will work to stop imports of avocados from illegal orchards in Mexico, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said in a news conference with Michoacán Gov. Alfredo Ramirez.

South Mill Champs and Grupo APAL partner to expand mushroom production in Mexico
South Mill Champs and Grupo APAL partner to expand mushroom production in Mexico

The partnership will form a 50/50 Mexican joint venture, Royal Champs S. de R.L. de C.V.

Grupo Alta hosts farmworker social event ahead of Jalisco grape season
Grupo Alta hosts farmworker social event ahead of Jalisco grape season

La Escuela de Asociados, which is Spanish for the School of Associates, is a key component of Grupo Alta's recruitment process when new workers from the southern states of Mexico migrate north for employment.

Fresh Farms increasing investment in technology
Fresh Farms increasing investment in technology

Fresh Farms says it is also developing creative marketing solutions to help its retail customers maximize their return on investment.

SunFed expects growth in Mexican Produce, despite challenges
SunFed expects growth in Mexican Produce, despite challenges

Rio Rico, Ariz.-based SunFed expects to move slightly more Mexican produce in 2024 compared to last year, despite weather challenges early in the year.

TerraFresh Organics looks for a strong season in Mexico
TerraFresh Organics looks for a strong season in Mexico

The company has an organic mango program, as well as an organic valencia and grapefruit program that supplies the market demand from November through June, says Jason Laffer, vice president of sales.

Retail support spurs Mexican produce sales
Retail support spurs Mexican produce sales

The time is now for retail promotions of Mexican produce, distributors say.

Ciruli Bros. looks for strong gains in Mexican produce
Ciruli Bros. looks for strong gains in Mexican produce

Rio Rico, Ariz.-based Ciruli Brothers is aiming for a 10% increase in its volume of Mexican produce this year, said Chris Ciruli, chief operating officer.

U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes rise slightly in 2023
U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes rise slightly in 2023

Imports of Mexican tomatoes through all U.S. ports totaled $2.49 billion from January through November 2023, up 1% from calendar year 2022 imports of $2.48 billion, up 5% from $2.38 billion in 2020.

Berries and avocados led growth in U.S. imports of Mexican produce
Berries and avocados led growth in U.S. imports of Mexican produce

From 2014 to 2023, U.S. imports of Mexican berries (excluding strawberries) rose 307%, while avocado imports jumped 215%, USDA trade data shows.

Mexico to see blueberry production bump
Mexico to see blueberry production bump

Mexico’s blueberry production in 2024 is forecast to rise 8% over 2023, according to a new USDA report.

Clashes continue over tomato trade agreement with Mexico
Clashes continue over tomato trade agreement with Mexico

As importers argue for its preservation, Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott has reiterated his request for the immediate termination of the 2019 tomato suspension agreement.

Javier Badillo
Tomato antidumping duties would be a disaster for all parties

Using duties to replace the suspension agreement that regulates U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes would make things far worse for the U.S. tomato market, says Javier Badillo of the FPAA in this guest column.

Farmer's Best increases acreage of seedless cucumbers, other items
Farmer's Best increases acreage of seedless cucumbers, other items

Farmer's Best LLC will increase its acreage in seedless cucumbers, elongated red peppers, and eggplant programs, says Sasha Lewton, sales manager.

PennRose Farms looks to rising volume of Mexican produce
PennRose Farms looks to rising volume of Mexican produce

Volume of Mexican produce items was expected to increase for PennRose Farms LLC after Thanksgiving, says spokesperson Christopher Ciruli.

A look at Rich River Produce's early start to Mexican produce season
A look at Rich River Produce's early start to Mexican produce season

The Mexican produce season started a little earlier than usual for Rio Rico, Ariz.-based Rich River Produce, says founder Edgar Duarte.

This port leads the U.S. in Mexican tomato imports
This port leads the U.S. in Mexican tomato imports

U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes through all ports in 2022 totaled $2.48 billion, and this Texas port district accounted for 57% of all Mexican tomato value.

EarthBlend offers promotable West Mexico produce volume
EarthBlend offers promotable West Mexico produce volume

In mid-November, Nogales, Ariz.-based EarthBlend was receiving a steady supply of Sonoran soft squash and cucumbers, and Sinaloa volume was about to kick in, says Steve Spence, director of sales.

Sweet Karoline blackberries from Berry Fresh to arrive from Mexico
Sweet Karoline blackberries from Berry Fresh to arrive from Mexico

Compton, Calif.-based Berry Fresh is again bringing in Sweet Karoline blackberries from Mexico.

U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes see growth in value
U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes see growth in value

The value of U.S. tomato imports from Mexico from October 2022 through September 2023 reached $2.7 billion.

Report: Most Mexican tomatoes grown in controlled conditions
Report: Most Mexican tomatoes grown in controlled conditions

In Mexico, "growers throughout the country use greenhouses, shade houses, high-tunnel systems, and other climate-control technologies to supply the U.S. market year-round,” the report said.

U.S. imports of Mexican vegetables show growth
U.S. imports of Mexican vegetables show growth

U.S. imports of Mexican fresh vegetables enjoyed a strong year in 2022-23, however, USDA numbers say the value of U.S. imports of Mexican fresh fruit was flat compared with 2021-22.

Water worries linger for Mexican growers
Water worries linger for Mexican growers

Availability of water in growing regions is one concern for Mexican produce growers and distributors this season, says Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas.

Divine Flavor readies for strong Mexican season
Divine Flavor readies for strong Mexican season

Year-round programs, snacking commodities, organics and flavor are all trends for Mexican produce  — and all are important to the Divine Flavor brand, says Michael DuPuis, quality assurance manager.

Stonehill Produce offers avocado intelligence
Stonehill Produce offers avocado intelligence

Dana, Calif.-based Stonehill Produce has a year-round supply of Mexican avocados and offers its customers trusted intelligence on the avocado outlook, says Keith Slattery.

Giumarra says strong Mexican avocado supply supports year-round customer service
Giumarra says strong Mexican avocado supply supports year-round customer service

With strong Mexican fruit volume, Los Angeles-based Giumarra provides a year-round supply of avocados to retail and foodservice clients throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Cotija Avocados sees room to grow
Cotija Avocados sees room to grow

Cotija Avocados is diversifying its offering into organics and value-added services, says Bryan Prihoda, president and chief financial officer of the hass avocado supplier.

How packinghouses are delivering quality for Calavo Growers
How packinghouses are delivering quality for Calavo Growers

Calavo's packinghouses in Michoacán and Jalisco are "the foundation of our Mexican avocado sourcing programs,” says Peter Shore, vice president of produce management.

Oppy's avocado outlook includes introducing home compostable bag
Oppy's avocado outlook includes introducing home compostable bag

Oppy’s marketing plan for Mexican avocados centers around the pillars of sustainability, high quality and reliability, says Rodrigo Lopez, category director of citrus and avocados.

Naturipe tracking avocado supply dynamics for customers
Naturipe tracking avocado supply dynamics for customers

With all eyes on football, Naturipe is ready to support promotions that Avocados From Mexico is launching, says Andy Bruno, president of Naturipe Farms' avocado division.

Mission Produce leverages Mexican avocado size profile for promo opportunities
Mission Produce leverages Mexican avocado size profile for promo opportunities

The 2023-24 Mexican avocado season is expected to produce plentiful volumes of excellent quality for both conventional and organic avocados, says Monica Robles, Mission Produce's director of Mexico sourcing.

Grupo Los Cerritos boasts big volume from Jalisco
Grupo Los Cerritos boasts big volume from Jalisco

With 2,900 acres of high-density avocado groves in Jalisco, Grupo Los Cerritos is the leading avocado exporter from Jalisco, says Sophia Cavaletto, sales representative.

Avocados From Mexico sets path for continued consumption growth, brand strength
Avocados From Mexico sets path for continued consumption growth, brand strength

Avocados From Mexico can see wonderful accomplishments in the rearview mirror, but President and CEO Alvaro Luque believes the future will be even more spectacular.

USDA stats show extent of Mexico's dominance in U.S. avocado volume, value
USDA stats show extent of Mexico's dominance in U.S. avocado volume, value

Mexico accounted for most U.S. avocado imports, and the volume of Mexican avocados increased 23% from 2017-18 to 2022-23.

Avocados From Mexico to be title sponsor of college football's Cure Bowl
Avocados From Mexico to be title sponsor of college football's Cure Bowl

Avocados From Mexico will be the title sponsor of the Avocados From Mexico Cure Bowl.

FPAA, NatureSweet urge preservation of 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement
FPAA, NatureSweet urge preservation of 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement

U.S. distributors of Mexican tomatoes are pushing hard to blunt the effort by domestic producers to terminate the 2019 Suspension Agreement between Mexican tomato producers and the U.S. Commerce Department.

Avocados From Mexico teams up with Jesse Palmer to help football fans host a 'Better Bowl'
Avocados From Mexico teams up with Jesse Palmer to help football fans host a 'Better Bowl'

Avocados From Mexico, a top-selling avocado brand in the U.S., is kicking off its national shopper marketing campaign ahead of the 2024 Big Game.

NatureSweet: Tariffs could cause U.S. consumers to pay much more for fresh tomatoes
NatureSweet: Tariffs could cause U.S. consumers to pay much more for fresh tomatoes

San Antonio-based NatureSweet is warning that ending the U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement could add tariffs of more than 20% on the imports of fresh tomatoes into the U.S.

Photos: Avocados From Mexico celebrates AVOLAB innovation center
Photos: Avocados From Mexico celebrates AVOLAB innovation center

Check out these scenes from Avocados From Mexico's Oct. 3 party celebrating the group's 10-year anniversary and the opening of its AVOLAB chef innovation center.

Avocados From Mexico celebrates 10 years, launch of AVOLAB innovation center
Avocados From Mexico celebrates 10 years, launch of AVOLAB innovation center

Avocados are a rising star in the food world, and Avocados From Mexico has put its own brand on the fruit’s explosive rise.

Naturipe Farms looks for big fall raspberry volumes
Naturipe Farms looks for big fall raspberry volumes

The supplier’s proprietary raspberry varieties out of the central Mexico growing region are projected to have another year of exponential growth in the 2023-24 season.