Produce Crops
While noncitrus fruit production is predicted to remain relatively stable for the next decade, citrus output will fluctuate and nut production is projected to grow, the USDA says in its long-term outlook report.
Ecuador is by far the leading supplier of organic bananas to the U.S., accounting for 50% of total U.S. organic banana value in 2023, according to trade numbers from the USDA.
A Michigan State University report published by the Michigan Potato Industry Commission shows potatoes as the second-largest specialty crop grown in the state.
Researchers at the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s strawberry breeding program in Beltsville, Md., are touting the benefits of a new variety well suited to the mid-Atlantic region.
Canada was the top export destination for U.S. citrus in 2023, followed by South Korea.
Mexican mango grower-shipper Urapa Produce has announced the start of its mango season.
At $2.04 billion, the U.S. import value of bananas in 2023 was up 4% from 2022, according to USDA trade numbers.
The new floricane-fruiting variety is said to show excellent storage qualities and grow medium-to-large fruit.
The company plans to grow cherry tomatoes as well as a mix of conventional and organic produce at its 44-acre facility in Bonita, Ariz.
While still early in the season, Zespri said its latest supply estimate reflects the positive growing conditions seen across New Zealand in recent months.
Good fruit quality and an increase in demand helped the New Zealand-based kiwifruit marketer increase orchard gate returns for the 2023-24 season.
Retailers have several winning strategies to sell more mangoes, says Dan Spellman, director of marketing of the National Mango Board.
Following positive detections, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Texas Department of Agriculture established new quarantine areas and expanded existing quarantine areas.
A proposed rule from the USDA would implement a recommendation from the South Texas Onion Committee to increase the assessment rate by 3 cents.
Good-quality spring table grapes now are arriving from Mexico’s Jalisco growing area, and U.S. grape shipments from California’s Coachella Valley should get started in May.
The USDA plans to buy the fruit for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs.
Blackberries, blueberries and raspberries will be offered throughout the summer by North Bay Produce, says Brian Klumpp, director of sales and marketing.
Even considering their growth in the last two decades, blueberries were identified in a poll of industry professionals as the berry with the biggest potential to grow consumption in the next five years.
Strawberry fields in California’s central coast region were challenged early in the season with winter rain and cold temperatures, but spring and summer availability is looking strong, says Cindy Jewell.
Blackberries are awesome already, but researchers in Florida are working on boosting their health benefits even more.
The world of table grapes has expanded exponentially from traditional red and green varieties to today’s plethora of cultivars with appearance, flavor and size characteristics.
Elizabeth Mitcham, director emeritus of the Postharvest Technology Center, talks about innovations in postharvest technology, challenges to delivering fresh fruits and vegetables and the future of postharvest research.
Retailers can capture significant California cherry sales by promoting “pedal to the metal” to the end of the season, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for Stemilt Growers.
As of the conclusion of the 2023 season, South African citrus exporters marked 25 years of shipping fruit to the U.S., and shipments of citrus fruit from South Africa have more than doubled since 2019, the group says.
With 21 planned stops — including New York, Boston and Washington, D.C. — the tour brings to life Driscoll’s “Sweetness Worth Sharing” campaign, featuring free berry treats as well as interactive elements.
Blackberries, watermelon, sweet corn and tomatoes are just few of the approximately two dozen fruits and vegetables Arkansas growers will be marketing this spring and summer, and they say quality should be excellent.
Oxnard, Calif.-based Mission Produce Inc. has shared what it calls its most diverse summer sourcing strategy yet ahead of the West Coast Produce Expo, May 30 to June 1, in Palm Desert, Calif.
Yelloway One is a banana hybrid resistant to Tropical Race 4 and partially resistant to Black Sigatoka, two diseases that have cost the banana industry hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
From September 2023 to August 2024, U.S. fresh potato exports to Mexico climbed by 20% compared with the previous season.
The organic sweetpotato marketer has seen ideal growing conditions to wrap up the growing season, says Pat Bayor, vice president of sales and purchasing.