Shipping
Acreage is up this year at Mission, Texas-based organic onion grower-shipper South Tex Organics LLC.
The South Texas Onion Committee has developed www.tx1015.com, a website devoted to South Texas-grown onions.
The best consumers of fresh mangoes in the U.S. are younger Hispanic and Asian shoppers on the West Coast, according to results from The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2020 survey.
The greenhouse category is expanding every year as growers look for more items that can be produced indoors, and as they ramp up the volume of the ones they already have.
One way toward a more sustainable fruit farm is by using less of an undesirable substance until a better solution proves itself.
Cannabidiol oil applied to strawberries can extend the berry’s shelf life, according to research published in ScienceDirect from University of South Florida scientists.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ciruli Bros. LLC, Rio Rico, Ariz., has increased its plantings of cucumbers, green bell peppers and eggplant, said partner Chris Ciruli.
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.
Nogales, Ariz.-based Divine Flavor is excited about its Persian cucumber program, said Michael DuPuis, quality assurance and public relations coordinator.
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.
Business updates from companies featured in The Packer’s Summer Berries section.
Wentachee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers has introduced the 5 River Islands brand of California cherries.
Business updates on companies featured in The Packer’s Summer Citrus section
For the first time, retailers saw growth this season in single rather than double digits in the easy-peeler category, so the commodity could be stabilizing.
The New York Apple Association is hitting promotions hard this season in these ways.