Latest News From Shipping

Chile's challenges with shipping, plus labor — sound familiar? — have put a dent in export volumes of fresh fruit, but key players are collaborating to resolve the issue using all sorts of strategies.

From the docks of Southern California and Europe to the parcel hubs in the Midwest and the store shelves in New York, signs are growing that the global supply chain crisis is over.

How to merchandise the dizzying number of Eastern apple varieties to drive sales in the produce department.

The largest apple producer on the East Coast, New York had a Hot Growing Summer. With the help of irrigation systems, the growing season did well for a fall harvest of apples sizing well in many varieties.

The Canaveral Port Authority and Volusia County’s Division of Economic Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that establishes a working relationship.

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

The New York Apple Association is hitting promotions hard this season in these ways.

Berries are doing fairly well nationwide, despite some typical weather challenges in dry California, a rainy or chilly spring in the Southeast, and atypical hailstorms in North Carolina that reduced the blueberry crop.

Mangoes are one of the fast-growing categories in the retail produce section, and many of them are from Mexico.

It can take two to three days for mangoes to ship from Mexico to U.S. ports, but there’s been a backlog of trucks because of the freezing weather in Texas.

Rain and cold weather put a bit of a damper on the start of Mexico’s winter produce season, but distributors said temperatures — and shipments — were rising as February played out.

Spurred by new acreage and product innovation, Pure Hothouse Foods has strong growth plans for 2021, says Chris Veillon.

The Southern California strawberry scene has undergone a major transformation during the past couple of decades.

Southern California growers soon may have access to some new strawberry varieties.

Until Jan. 19, Southern California was enjoying an ideal strawberry season.

Tomato acreage will be up about 10% this season for Nogales, Ariz.-based Calavo Growers Inc. thanks to some added roma plantings, said Brian Bernauer, director of tomato sales and operations.

Cannabidiol oil applied to strawberries can extend the berry’s shelf life, according to research published in ScienceDirect from University of South Florida scientists.

One way toward a more sustainable fruit farm is by using less of an undesirable substance until a better solution proves itself.

Pacific Organic Produce has locked in an exclusive deal with one of the most sophisticated packers and growers in Sonora, Mexico, said Delilah Romo, commodity manager for Sonoran citrus.

“When we have cooler years, the berry quality is a lot sweeter and firmer...this year’s quality of fruit is going to be next-level. Hopefully, the market will prevail, and everyone is happy, COVID notwithstanding.”

The Oppenheimer Group expects a great season this year for its Mexican winter pepper program, which already has begun out of Jalisco, said Aaron Quon, executive category director of greenhouse.

Rio Rico, Ariz.-based MAS Melons & Grapes LLC will conduct limited trials of a melon called orange candy starting in late February, said salesman Mikee Suarez.

Nogales, Ariz.-based Divine Flavor is excited about its Persian cucumber program, said Michael DuPuis, quality assurance and public relations coordinator.

Nogales, Ariz.-based Fresh Produce Association of the Americas has taken part in a COVID-19 testing event, is planning a series of webinars and has announced two promotions.

Ciruli Bros. LLC, Rio Rico, Ariz., has increased its plantings of cucumbers, green bell peppers and eggplant, said partner Chris Ciruli.

Some distributors of West Mexico produce are more optimistic about a Joe Biden presidency than others, but no one seems dejected over the change in administrations.

More tomatoes crossed the border at Nogales, Ariz., during the 2019-20 season than any other commodity, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

More tomatoes crossed the border at Nogales, Ariz., during the 2019-20 season than any other commodity, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The West Mexico winter produce deal hasn’t gotten off to a stellar start, but distributors are hopeful that the picture will brighten as the season progresses.

Shipments of Mexican produce to the U.S. increased at a double-digit rate in the second quarter this year.

Beets, cabbage, greens, herbs, parsley, potatoes, radishes and spinach are some of the produce crops Texas produce suppliers will be shipping in December.

Riverfront Packing is now a compilation of three multi-generational citrus families, said Dan Richey, president of Riverfront Packing, Vero Beach, Fla.

The company is designing a 25,000-square-foot cold storage facility on premises at the Fort Pierce headquarters to store valencia oranges.

Florida citrus production is projected to be slightly lower this season than last, but high demand is expected throughout the season.

Marketers say they are gearing up for promotable volumes of fruit from Chile for the upcoming winter months.

Take a look at these California desert vegetable industry business updates from Baloian Farms, North Shore Greenhouses, Petter Rabbit Farms and Ocean Mist Farms.

There’s good news for fans of organic avocados — and those who market them. Supplies out of Mexico should be plentiful this season, and prices should be reasonable.

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.

ESPN has set the date for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, a college football bowl game sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission.

Blueberries have been growing at a rapid clip at retail, according to the United Fresh Produce Association’s FreshFacts report for the second quarter of 2020.

Industry leaders anticipate a good season for Chilean blueberry production and exports to the U.S. through the winter months.

A patented system that improves cooling through pallets can benefit berry handlers, said Alain Garcia, sales engineer with FF Cooling Solutions.

Wenatchee, Wash.-based Starr Ranch Growers is supporting sales of Juici apples this fall with the launch of variety-specific social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook.

Total South Africa citrus exports will reach record levels in 2020 and exports to the U.S. also are setting new highs.

Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers is touting its apple and pear packaging options at the Produce Marketing Association’s virtual Fresh Summit.

Proposed regulations that would impose testing requirements on Canadian imports of romaine lettuce from California’s Salinas Valley are raising concerns for growers, buyers and industry associations.

Kingsville, Ontario-based Red Sun Farms is lighting up its greenhouses in Ontario to produce year-round in Canada.

Stemilt Growers has seen success with its Instagram First Verified Fruit (FVF) marketing campaign for its Rave apple variety.

New York-based Bowery Farming has hired Colin Nelson in the newly-created role of chief supply chain officer. 

Washington’s apple industry is evolving as new varieties slowly supplant older, established cultivars, marketers say.