Latest News From Year in Produce

Only a few fresh fruit and vegetables are available in GMO varieties, but advances in CRISPR breeding technology means more genetically improved foods will be headed to shopping carts in coming years.

Rain is always welcome by farmers except when it isn’t, and there was a lot of that sentiment at times during 2023.

Freight costs for produce shippers declined during 2023, but the rate dip may be setting up a return to firmer pricing in 2024, some experts say.

After tight supplies of elevated pricing for 2022 apple and potato crops, the 2023 season is bringing price relief and promotion opportunities to consumers.

Ever-evolving, indoor agriculture made headlines throughout the year from bankruptcies to high-profile mergers and acquisitions to setbacks and triumphs.

A contentious issue for decades, the terms of the U.S. tomato trade with Mexico again hung in the balance in 2023.

Take a look at the fresh produce industry stories and topics that topped The Packer's coverage during the year.

Will they or won’t they? Opposition remains as the planned transaction between the two retail grocery giants appears to be moving ahead.

More than ever, fresh produce growers needed guest workers to harvest their crops in 2023. At the same time, the escalating wage costs of the H-2A program — up nearly 20% since 2020 — have many desperate for relief.

In 2023, the produce industry faced several challenges, including a significant recall of fresh-cut and whole cantaloupes toward the end of the year. Yet, the industry remains optimistic of the strides made this year.

Supply chain disruptions were endemic when the COVID-19 pandemic began, didn't ease much in 2021 and haven't been totally resolved in 2022.

Leaders, innovators and pillars of business were among those who died in 2022, remembered by peers for their professional contributions and their lasting impact on the people who knew them.

We all know that in the last few years, high-tech, indoor-grown produce has been blowing up — in the best way.

While 2022 had its share of challenges from labor and supply chain shortages to drought and other devastating weather-related events, the year also offered much for which to be thankful.

The USDA leaned in on efforts to support farmers and ranchers in the second half of 2022, boasting a wide span of initiatives that included everything from providing emergency relief to bolstering the organic program. 

In 2022, consumers continued to ask questions about how their food is grown, harvested, produced and packaged. Interest in organic produce, regenerative agriculture and sustainable packaging options kept rising.

Too wet. Too cold. Too dry. Weather can be a wildcard come growing season, and 2022 saw fruit and vegetable production in multiple regions challenged by extreme or prolonged conditions.

The Packer’s Organic Fresh Trends 2023 survey found an increase in percentage of consumers who said they exclusively purchase organic citrus.

Considering the plethora of produce options available to consumers in the U.S., there were a few commodities in 2022 that kept our attention.

From fresh produce growers to distributors to retailers, finding labor was a challenge in 2022. Here are a few stories that reflect the importance of farm labor reform for the fresh produce industry in 2022.

It was quite a year for the International Fresh Produce Association — especially considering it the first year ever for the behemoth industry group of 3,000 members worldwide.