Produce Crops
CMI Orchards’ cherry program offers the largest varietal section of cherries available in the market today, says Rochelle Bohm, vice president of marketing for the Wenatchee, Wash.-based supplier.
Last year’s Washington cherry crop was about 50% of a normal crop, and this year provides the potential to bounce back, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for Stemilt Growers.
The California-based grower-shipper will be showcasing new varieties Autumn King, Great Green, Scarlet Royal, Allison, Sweet Globe, Flame, Ivory, Autumn Royal and Kriss grapes at the West Coast Produce Expo on May 20.
Beyond seasonal: “Southern Hemisphere produce enables consumers to enjoy the great taste and health benefits of citrus throughout the summer and into the fall,” said Karen Brux of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association.
The spring/summer season got off to a rather slow start for the onion category, with strong demand triggering higher prices than usual.
Cherries will be in good volume this year for British Columbia-based Gold Star Fruit Co., with peak volume expected for the third week of July.
Starting in late June and continuing through mid-September, Star Produce will offer British Columbia cherries to retailers across North America and in several overseas markets, company officials say.
The North American Blueberry Council is applauding congressional action that supporters say could potentially allow U.S. farmers to compete on level terms with other blueberry exporting countries in Japan.
Winter weather in northwestern New York state proved to be overall mild, which was followed with a cool spring that set up near ideal conditions for the start of the apple season, according United Apple Sales.
The USDA has forecast U.S. apple total production for 2023 at 9.91 billion pounds, up 1% from 2022.
Got some organic Honeycrisp? That is the question that the market is asking suppliers, says Dan Davis, director of business development for Wenatchee, Wash.-based Starr Ranch Growers.
Chris Ford, business development and marketing manager for the Mount Vernon, Wash.-based sales and marketing agency, said the supplier is expanding its citrus program, in addition to tropicals like pitaya.
The growing season has been excellent for Washington apples, says Robb Myers, and that is just the start of the good news.
The California walnut industry is gearing up for a stellar 2023 crop, industry leaders report.
The draft pest risk assessment for consumption of passion fruit from Vietnam will be available for review and comment until Sept. 9.
U.S. distributors of Mexican tomatoes are pushing hard to blunt the effort by domestic producers to terminate the 2019 Suspension Agreement between Mexican tomato producers and the U.S. Commerce Department.
Led by newer varieties, Chilean table grape production for the 2023-24 season will grow 5%, according to an industry estimate.
Florida’s 2023-24 citrus crop should be significantly more robust than last season’s, according to the latest USDA forecast.
The state’s 2023-24 tomato acreage should be similar to last season’s, but volume should be up because Hurricane Ian put a damper on production last year, said Michael Schadler of the Florida Tomato Exchange.
Dale Murden, president of the trade association Texas Citrus Mutual, shares an outlook for fresh citrus output and how it compares with last season.
Mexico accounted for most U.S. avocado imports, and the volume of Mexican avocados increased 23% from 2017-18 to 2022-23.
Most fresh citrus prices in early 2024 were comparable to year-ago levels and supply is primed for promotions in the winter months, industry sources report.
U.S. orange and grapefruit crops are forecast up in 2023-24 but lemon and tangerine crops are rated lower than a year ago, according to USDA crop production numbers.
The Fowler, Calif.-based company says specialty citrus varieties are sought by shoppers aiming to incorporate fresh produce into New Year’s resolutions, while upcoming holidays can be used to market the citrus category.
While the U.S. Apple Association reports some movement of fresh and processing apples, the overall number of apples in holding still remains high.
Researchers seek integrated pest management solutions to control silverleaf whitefly, a devastating pest to vegetables.
Despite weather challenges this season, growers “look hopeful for ’24,” said Cynthia Haskins, president and CEO of New York Apples. “We have a good mix of different apple varieties that are out there ...”
Additions to the Geneva rootstock line are semi-dwarfing, productive and even fire blight resistant.
With a large crop in apple-producing states, like Pennsylvania, marketers say there is a need to boost consumption. “That will take some time and some effort,” said Chris Sandwick of Hess Bros. Fruit., Lancaster, Pa.
The Minnesota-based grower, packer and shipper of fresh carrots said its refreshed look will make its products pop in the produce aisle.