In general, the supply outlook for Idaho potatoes is much improved, says Ryan Bybee, sales manager for GPOD of Idaho. “The volume of acreage rebounded considerably from a year ago.”
The USDA says it will establish a Regional Agricultural Promotion Program and expand federal procurement of U.S. agricultural products aimed at bolstering specialty crop exports and addressing food insecurity globally.
Luis Guardia, president of the Food Research & Action Center, said the group is troubled that a recent USDA report reveals hunger in America soared in 2022 after falling the previous year due to pandemic relief efforts.
USDA data for the marketing year of September through August show total citrus exports of grapefruit, lemons and limes and oranges and tangerines totaled $751 million.
While greater amounts of rain were welcome in California citrus-growing regions in the past year, the downside has been exterior fruit damage caused by increased thrip populations.
Sunkist has a robust portfolio and steady supply extending to 40 varieties of both conventional and organic citrus, says Cassie Howard of Sunkist Growers Inc.
Equifruit, North America’s largest importer of Fairtrade-certified bananas, continues to work closely with its partners to drive sales and tonnage at the store level.
The early numbers speak to a larger potato crop in Idaho for the 2023-24 season, and that means more affordable potatoes and greater promotion opportunities for retailers.
