Industry
The Lay’s Super Bowl commercial was inspired by a real potato farmer and his family. Jeremie Pavelski says he was touched by the commercial and proud of how it showcased the work of farmers across the U.S.
Farmers, food advocates and community members gathered to discuss the future of urban agriculture in Kansas City and surrounding areas.
“It’s unlikely that changes in tariffs will impact prices headed into the Super Bowl, however, we’ll see how it plays out in the coming weeks,” Dr. Michael Swanson says.
Just hours before the tariffs were set to take effect, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the news on X, and President Donald Trump later confirmed. Mexico is the top destination for U.S. ag exports. The announcement from Canada came later on Monday.
“While we appreciate the border security issues apparently motivating the Trump administration, rival growers of specialty crops outside of the U.S. will move quickly to seize the new business opportunities created by these tariffs to sell into the Canadian, Mexican and Chinese marketplaces,” said Western Growers’ President and CEO Dave Puglia.
Following President Trump’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Canada announced its own 25% tariffs on $155 billion worth of U.S. imports. Mexico also announced its own retaliatory measures, but no specifics were unveiled as of Sunday morning.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump justified the tariffs as a response to what he described as excessive migration, drug trafficking and unfair trade practices. While he suggested the tariff rate could further increase, he indicated a decision on whether oil imports would be exempt would come soon.
Data from the Northwest Horticultural Council shows that 99% of tree fruit growers’ gross returns for the 2023 season went to labor, which those in the produce industry say is at a make-or-break point.
Story Arc Consulting founder Steve Lerch recently spoke about ways to understand, engage and influence this digitally driven segment of shoppers.
Mollie Van Lieu, vice president of nutrition and health policy for the International Fresh Produce Association, and Minerva Delgado, the director of coalitions and advocacy for the Alliance to End Hunger, highlight the role that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program plays.
Owyhee Produce CEO Shay Myers, a third-generation farmer, discusses using social media platforms to talk ag, why getting in front of the camera is important and how to connect with those who don’t understand farming.
At the National Potato Council’s recent Potato Expo 2025, tariffs and trade were among the hot topics of discussion in education sessions and on the show floor.
It was all things fresh produce, from new products to new connections to new ideas, at the JW Miami Turnberry Resort for GOPEX 2025, held Jan. 13-14.
Imposing tariffs would lead to “inflation in the supermarket,” says the president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas.
Ag industry groups recognize the crucial role that immigrant workers play in the U.S. food system.
President-elect Donald Trump has talked about increasing tariffs on foreign goods, arguing that such import taxes would keep manufacturing jobs in the U.S., shrink the federal deficit and help lower food prices.
“The agricultural economy is inherently cyclical, and ag lenders are navigating the changing conditions across the sectors they serve,” said Jackson Takach, chief economist of Farmer Mac.
The event, hosted by The Packer, is set to draw retailers, grower-shippers, wholesalers, importers, exporters and other decision-makers from across the fresh produce industry.
In statements congratulating the president-elect, the groups said they want to see their priorities addressed in the new administration, such as the farm bill, labor and nutrition.
Following diminishing valuations in 2023 and layoffs, the indoor vertical grower is reportedly closing its doors and laying off its employees, according to a PitchBook report.
The International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce and Floral Show featured a full slate of new product showcases, crop outlooks and opportunities for companies to connect with customers.
Exhibit space for the Canadian Produce Marketing Association 2025 Convention and Trade Show, set to take place April 8-10 in Montreal at the Palais des Congres, is sold out.
Milton threatens to inflict wind damage in the northern two-thirds of Florida’s citrus belt this week, according to Commodity Weather Group.
The partnership aims to address food insecurity, improve health outcomes and promote preventive care for vulnerable populations.
Cory Reed, president of Worldwide Agriculture & Turf Division, spoke about layoffs, citing lower demand due to falling net farm income, higher interest rates and market volatility.
In the last quarter of 2023, a 19% shortfall existed between the cost of a moderately priced meal and SNAP’s average maximum benefit.
It’s no surprise that the education session on the tomato suspension agreement at this year’s Viva Fresh Expo was a packed house, given the extensive discussion recently over its future.
Bananas top the list of “must-buy” fruits and vegetables on shoppers’ grocery trips, followed by grapes and apples, finds a new national banana survey commissioned by Dole Food Co.
A contentious issue for decades, the terms of the U.S. tomato trade with Mexico again hung in the balance in 2023.
Will they or won’t they? Opposition remains as the planned transaction between the two retail grocery giants appears to be moving ahead.