Produce Crops
SweeTango apples will start shipping from across the country shortly after Labor Day and will be in the market longer this year as supplies ramp up, marketers report.
Homegrown Organic Farms and HBF International are anticipating the first shipment of kiwi berries to go out the week of Sept. 18.
This initial planting is part of a planned 67 acres T&G Global will plant on its Hawke’s Bay orchards over the next three years.
The Celina cv. pear — marketed as QTee in other growing regions — has been granted approval to enter the U.S. market through Washington-based Proprietary Variety Management.
The Northwest pear industry’s fresh pear estimate for 2023 is on par with the four-year average.
With the organic muscadine grape program, Happy Dirt and one of the company’s North Carolina farmer-partners are working to build awareness around the grape’s unique flavors, adaptability and health benefits.
As parents and kids are shopping for back-to-school needs, Rave apples can be offered as a healthy addition to any lunch box or after-school snack, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for Stemilt Growers.
The global grape market is experiencing shifts due to a series of unexpected weather events in key growing regions.
“We’re seeing robust crops across all our orchards, including those on both coasts and the Midwest,” Don Roper, vice president at Honeybear Brands, said in a news release.
Sunkist has a robust portfolio and steady supply extending to 40 varieties of both conventional and organic citrus, says Cassie Howard of Sunkist Growers Inc.
California citrus harvest will be down slightly this year, says Randy Stucky, director of harvesting and grower relations for Bee Sweet Citrus, Fowler, Calif.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says this move updates the federal quarantine with the addition of Saint Charles Parish and now matches the state-based quarantine.
The Texas-based grapefruit brand says the promotion will educate consumers on the state’s red grapefruit season, while aiming to drive online sales and inspire increased consumption during peak production time.
After growers faced a year of weather extremes in 2022, Washington state rebounded in 2023, increasing production by about 38% year over year, according to the U.S. Apple Association.
Michigan apple growers experienced some localized frost damage in the spring but still had a great growing year.
New foliar-applied product specifically targets the Colorado potato beetle, which has shown resistance to conventional pesticides.
Monterey Mushrooms grows, harvests, packages, and delivers conventional and organic fresh mushrooms and mushroom products every day of the year, says Lindsey Occhipinti, marketing manager.
Mushrooms may not be first in the minds of consumers when it comes to superfoods, but marketers say there is a great story to tell.
The Mushroom Council’s new marketing initiative initially will be centered around foodservice.
The packer, grower and distributor of pears, apples and stone fruit says new variety development and organic offerings is a key part of 2024 plans.
Highline Mushrooms is making a big sustainability move, says Devon Kennedy, national marketing manager for the Leamington, Ontario-based marketer.
The Schiller Park, Ill.-based company says the season’s first Chilean red currants under the Sun Belle label are hitting stores now and will be available through mid-February.
Marketers recently shared the unique prospects that ample supply provides for retailers and consumers.
The country’s increase in imported orange consumption in the marketing year 2023-24 is helped by the decrease in domestic fruit supply and a recovery in the supply of U.S. navel oranges, a USDA report says.
Vince Biasibetti, U.S. sales executive for Salix Fruits, visited citrus producers in Morocco, aimed at securing the necessary volume for programs with clients in the U.S. and exploring possibilities for trading clients.
The California-based fresh citrus cooperative is offering tools to help consumers use citrus to elevate at-home meals and providing displays to help retailers boost sales.
Here’s why they expect to see ample volume of good-quality strawberries, blueberries and blackberries during the late winter and early spring period.
In remarks to the USDA and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, incoming commission president Ian LeMay encouraged promotions to extend access to markets.
Honeybear Brands says it is gearing up to deliver a bounty of fresh Chilean apples and pears to retailers nationwide.
Production of vegetable and pulse crop production is projected to grow only by 4% between 2022 and 2033, the USDA said in its long-term outlook report.