Ciruli Bros. looks for strong gains in Mexican produce

Rio Rico, Ariz.-based Ciruli Bros. is aiming for a 10% increase in its volume of Mexican produce this year, said Chris Ciruli, chief operating officer.

The company is a leader in the sale and distribution of yellow and round mangos. It also offers a full mix of conventional and organic dry vegetables, representing 10 million packages from Mexico on an annual basis, Ciruli said.

“Because of growth in our mango program as well as our conventional and organic veg crops, we are aiming for an overall increase in volume of about 10% over the prior year,” Ciruli said.

“However, compared to 2023, we expect the 2024 Mexican produce season will be met with higher pricing and lower supplies during the winter months," he added. "We are seeing reduced crossings on all mixed veg items and pricing has been in the double digits since Thanksgiving. As we get into better weather and second flowerings, we expect volume to increase.”

West Mexico vegetables will be down a bit compared to original estimates during the winter, mainly due to weather, he said.

“Vegetables from West Mexico have been affected by a series of weather events and so the industry volume for 2024 is down from expectations,” he said. “We have seen high demand for eggplant from Thanksgiving through January, and a stronger than normal push for cucumber from November through January as well.”

Mangoes, conversely, should be up in volume due to more rain during the cooler months, Ciruli said.

Ciruli said mangoes have been an incredibly short item during the winter, with pricing at historic highs.

“We do not expect to see this changing until Mexico starts shipping consistently, which will be in March and continuing through September,” he said.

Looking ahead to the next several months, Ciruli said the company expects “an extremely productive mango crop.”

“We look to push mangoes from the months of March and April with yellow ataulfos, which we market as Champagne to fill the horrific supply void from the winter,” he said. “We expect that mangoes will be a very promotable crop for quality and volume in 2024."

In vegetables, due to an early Easter, Ciruli said the company expects to start promoting eggplant, beans, cucumber and bell peppers, both conventional and organic.

“Consumers continue to look for fresh fruit and vegetables to enhance their lifestyle, and as that happens, they will have more fresh produce options with imports from Mexico,” he said.

Expanding organic

Ciruli said the company continues to increase its organic lineup with dry veg, ranging from cucumber, green and colored bell peppers, squash and green beans.

“Our organic vegetables are marketed in the Rowdy Rabbit Organics brand,” he said. “We are shipping in traditional bulk packs, some clamshells, bags and wrapped trays. We are excited to be able to offer our customers quality organics in a fun brand and more presentations, and our hope is to continue to grow the program.”

Challenges and the road ahead

Ciruli said the biggest challenge for Mexican producers is a combination of rising input costs and labor availability.

“The minimum wage in Mexico increased by 20% in 2024, and Mexico was already facing labor shortages prior to this change in regulation,” he said.

Still, Ciruli said there are plenty of reasons for optimism.

“Mexican veg growers will continue to produce further south in Mexico to have 52-week availability and less gaps in volume, for many items,” he said.