Latest News From Industry

Hundreds of millions in U.S. fresh produce and nut export sales have been lost because of retaliatory tariffs, USDA economists report. And the toll keeps rising.

New York, N.Y.-based Bowery Farming Inc . has expanded its footprint and added two new farms to its network: Locust Grove, Ga.-based Locust Grove Farm and Arlington, Texas-based Arlington Farm.

Charlotte, N.C.-based A M King has completed construction of a south Texas distribution center for Mexico-based GAB Operations.

The Purdue Agricultural Economics Report’s annual outlook issue identifies key factors that may affect the agricultural economy in the coming year.

The global logistics problem has hit the Washington apple industry hard, and industry leaders have started working with the Seattle and Tacoma ports to find solutions.

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it is extending the deadline to submit applications for the Farm and Food Worker Relief (FFWR) Grant Program from Feb. 8, 2022, to March 10, 2022.

The crisis and pain of procrastination are gifts. Think of them as an alarm bell. When it sounds, you know you need to engage in a relationship that will allow you to focus on what you enjoy most and are best at doing.

When three Arcadia citrus farm labor contractors failed to comply with the requirements of the federal H-2A agricultural worker visa program, they shortchanged 123 employees – owing them $72,609 in total wages.

The next BizMatch Plus session, which will be focused on asparagus, is scheduled for Thursday, January 20, 2022.

Food prices are continuing to climb, according to numbers released Jan. 12 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

We love trends lists! So let's delve into what the industry expects to happen with produce in 2022. 

The National Onion Association joined more than 350 organizations in a letter sent to members of Congress that affirms these organizations support the pesticide regulatory system in place today.

The USDA is spending $50 million in 118 partnerships to expand access to conservation assistance for climate-smart agriculture and forestry, according to a news release.

The USDA will purchase U.S.-grown table grapes as part of its 2022 Food Purchase and Distribution Program, according to a news release from the California Table Grape Commission.

Murrieta, Calif.-based West Pak Avocado is adding a new full-service distribution center in  Swedesboro, N.J.

Nature Fresh Farms helps their community this holiday season with their fifth annual Holiday Giveaway and Food Drive.

Hudson River Fruit Distributors is actively marketing SnapDragon, RubyFrost and EverCrisp apples in 2022, said Alisha Albinder Camac, owner and operator of the Milton, N.Y-based apple marketer.

Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers is focused on year-round supply for its partners, said Dan Davis, director of business development for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based marketer.

AFBF's in-person annual convention focused on everything from H-2A workers, drought, supply chain chaos and policy changes like the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed the group Monday.

Wonderful Pistachios kicks-off the Ultimate Instagram Giveaway and, in honor of the 56th Big Game, partners with Alto Rideshare Company to offer 56% off all rides around Los Angeles over game day weekend.

ANAHEIM, Calif. –  As hard as it is to achieve, the bipartisan effort of Congress is the only way forward to meaningful farm labor reform.

The president of Tom Lange Co. Inc. will now add CEO to his job title at the St. Louis, Mo.-based, employee-owned produce company.

Become a master time manager in 2022

The Idaho Potato Commission didn’t disappoint fans in the stands and the two million folks who watched the 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl live on ESPN. 

Botta Packaging, Italy, are taking their sustainability services one step further.

Stemilt Growers will work with retailers to promote Cosmic Crisp, organic fruit, and the marketer’s Lil Snappers programs through the winter and into the spring.

The average U.S. promoted retail price for apples was up an average of 5% in 2021 compared with 2020.

Ongoing pandemic- and climate change-related shocks may require suppliers to invest in supply chain resiliency over efficiency in the years ahead.

The Potato Leadership, Education, & Advancement Foundation on Jan. 5 announced the results of its inaugural fundraising campaign at the 2022 Potato Expo.

The Jones Family is ringing in 2022 celebrating a 60-year anniversary for Bobalu Berries. The first annual Bobalu Berry Farms Scholarship Program will be launched in time for 2022 graduating high school seniors to apply.

Yiannis Ampatzidis, a UF/IFAS associate professor of ag and bioengineering at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center developed a smart sprayer to help more efficiently apply pesticides and fertilizer

Duncan Family Farms, a family-owned, multi-regional grower of certified organic and sustainably grown produce, has announced the acquisition of Pedersen Farms, according to a news release.

TMD Creative has earned recognition from the Summit International Awards for an Italian-themed ad campaign developed and designed for Ocean Mist Farms, the largest grower of fresh artichokes in the United States.

Apple marketing business updates.

January 2022 marks the start of the new International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), the global trade association representing the entire fresh produce and floral supply chains.

Consumers this winter are facing the seasonal blahs coupled with the effects of the global pandemic.

The Packer gathered these business updates for the Dec. 6 Chicago Know Your Market Coverage.

Sun Belle Inc. has a lot to celebrate this year.

The Ruby Co., Buffalo Grove, Ill., was founded in 1966 and has not stopped growing.

Most Chicago-area produce distributors seem to have survived the pandemic in fairly good shape, and they appear to be looking forward to a busy holiday season.

The Chicago retail scene remains strong, despite a few tweaks sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic, said Craig Carlson, president/CEO of Chicago-based Carlson Produce Consulting LLC.

Cosmic Crisp, launched commercially in December 2019 with about 650,000 boxes, is projecting 4.5 to 5 million boxes this season, said Kathryn Grandy, chief marketing officer of Proprietary Variety Management.

Philadelphia, Penn.-based Salix Fruits has announced the opening of a new office in Valencia, Spain.

Here are the top 10 commodities searched for on Produce Market Guide in 2021.

Hazel Technologies, Inc. announces five years of quality protection collaboration with Brooks Tropicals, a grower/packer/shipper of over a dozen tropical commodities.

About four in 10 shoppers say they have purchased fresh mushrooms in the past year, according to new research from The Packer.

Sun World International LLC announced it has added a stone fruit marketer and two importers to its panel of North American licensees.

The year 2021 was a rough one and brought no “back to normal”. For many 2021 wasn't much better than 2020. Take a trip back in time with us and explore 2021's top 10 fruit and vegetable news.

"For the good of nature - eat Veganuary!"

Calavo Growers announced Brian Kocher as their next President and CEO, and reported 17% growth in total revenue in the fourth quarter, ending Oct. 31, compared to 2020.