Industry
After years of unsustainable labor costs the industry welcomes an interim final rule that offers immediate financial relief and a path toward long-term stability.
Netafim North America’s Melissa Lilze talks the top five trends that will impact irrigators in the coming year.
As H-2A costs climb toward $30 an hour, Western Growers’ Walt Duflock warns that half of California’s farmers could disappear by 2052 without a revolution in harvest tech.
The Packer’s Jill Dutton’s urban farming series took us across the country to explore the pioneers reclaiming land for the sake of fresh fruits and vegetables, while our vertical farming and greenhouse coverage examined other ways of growing food closer to the consumer.
The Packer’s 2025 labor coverage kicked off with Christina Herrick’s labor series, and there was much more to read.
The threat of raids on agricultural operations hit hard during the summer of 2025, and it will likely continue in 2026.
With President Donald Trump back in office in 2025, the wax and wane of tariffs and threats of tariffs kept the produce industry on its toes this year.
Some key political moves at USDA and nationwide had big impacts on produce-providing programs like SNAP and WIC in 2025.
Google Trends data shows a reliable spike every January for topics tied to healthier eating. This year, rather than limitations and restrictive eating, consumers are seeking ways to add to their health and wellness, which often includes eating more plants.
The nonprofit workforce development and certification organization says millions in worker bonuses, expanded trainings and new board members strengthened its impact across the fresh produce industry.
A recent webinar explores how a tight labor market reduces domestic production and ultimately puts upward pressure on food pricing.
The end of the Tomato Suspension Agreement was just one of several commodity-specific trade battles in 2025’s overall trade wars.
After months of stepped-up English proficiency enforcement for truck drivers, effects appear mild for the fresh produce industry, but there are things to look for in the year ahead.
South Texas farmer Brian Jones says years of missed water deliveries from Mexico have cut his planted acres in half, forcing tough planting decisions as a new agreement brings both hope and skepticism.
Water will always be a big topic for produce and ag in general, but 2025 saw some big milestones in water news.
In a letter to the U.S. House and Senate Agriculture Committees, the caucus calls for the immediate release of the $1 billion in USDA Farmer Bridge Assistance Program aid earmarked for specialty crop producers.
Taylor Farms aims to revolutionize fresh food discovery by becoming one of the first brands to use a new native e-commerce partnership between TikTok and Instacart.
With a new strategic hub in Wisconsin alongside new facilities in Spain and Germany, the company is transitioning to a direct-service model to provide enhanced technical support and precision cutting solutions.
Just the russet variety of potatoes alone are looking at $500 million in losses this year, says National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles.
The most recent “Minute,” or amendment, to the 1944 Treaty between the U.S. and Mexico was just signed, but what even are Minutes in the context of the water treaty?
Following the threat of added tariffs, Mexico has agreed to send 202,000 acre-feet to Texas starting Dec. 15, but it’s unclear where this water will come from, as is how useful it will be to Texas growers.
FDP Group, which distributes organic and conventional produce, says the addition of UNFI Canada Produce division will broaden its selection of produce and strengthen its position in the organic market.
The company recently announced the EPA registration of its new Plinazolin technology, which is now a part of three products labeled for use in specialty crops.
More from the dynamic expo floor at the recent NYPS at New York City’s Javits Center.
The premium fruit breeding company has won a decisive victory in a multiyear infringement case involving large scale hectares of illegally planted Sweet Sapphire grapes in one of China’s most important grape-producing regions.
The industry’s first major trade event of the year promises warmth, pickleball and an Olympic-themed reception at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa.
Canadian Produce Marketing Association President Ron Lemaire has shared the Dec. 8 letter he penned to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and other Canadian government officials urging for the full 16-year renewal of the North American agreement.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says 18 states now have a measure in place to restrict the purchase of certain items and that the USDA will allocate $700 million to regenerative ag.
From a new greenhouse tomato grower aiming to be different to an organic apple update, hot produce topics were the talk of the town in the Big Apple.
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance says it stands “ready to work with the administration and Congress to advance a meaningful assistance package to support specialty crop growers during this difficult period.”