Produce Crops
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved up to $14 billion more in direct payments to growers affected by price declines from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Construction has begun on a $40 million project to cut wait times for produce and other agricultural goods at a busy Texas port of entry.
The Texas cities of Pharr and Laredo represent the top two ports of entry for Mexican avocados, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics.
South Bend, Ind.-based Pure Green Farms is set to begin growing, packaging and distributing fresh leafy greens in February.
U.S. growers must apply to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 by Dec. 11.
The inflation forecast for food has been raised by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Beets, cabbage, greens, herbs, parsley, potatoes, radishes and spinach are some of the produce crops Texas produce suppliers will be shipping in December.
Excluding melons, U.S. vegetable per capita availability increased 2.7% to 153.32 pounds in 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of 11 members to the Hass Avocado Board.
Beating both Pharr, Texas, and Nogales, Ariz., the port of Laredo, Texas, was the top entry point for Mexican tomatoes from October 2019 to September.
Hydroponic vertical farming company Kalera, Orlando, Fla., is planning to begin construction on a production facility in Seattle in 2021, which joins a growing list of expansions the company plans next year.
Total Chilean avocado exports in 2020 are expected to approach year-ago levels, but a new report from the USDA reveals volumes shipped to the U.S. have been declining as other markets gain share.
The U.S. fresh market apple holdings on Dec. 1 were 13.1% less than a year ago, at 102.8 million 42-pound bushels, according to the U.S. Apple Association’s Market News report.
Berry grower and marketer Wish Farms, Plant City, Fla., is adding strawberry acreage in Florida.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative have appointed members to the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables.
Mastronardi Produce Ltd., Kingsville, Ontario, in a partnership with John Paul DeJoria, is planning a greenhouse project in the Middle East to distribute fruits and vegetables to the region.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding visited Buffalo Valley Produce Auction in Mifflinburg, Pa., to present the governor’s Pennsylvania Produce Month proclamation to auction manager Neil Courtney.
Peaches and apples dominate Colorado’s summer fruit deal, and the harvests appeared to be on time this year, grower-shippers said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has expanded quarantined areas for citrus greening in California, Texas and Louisiana after the disease was detected in plant tissue samples in multiple locations in the states.
Sun Belle Inc., Shiller Park, Ill., is expanding relationships with growers following a decision by the Giddings Group, which supplies berries from Mexico and Chile, to market its own berries.
Fresno County’s agriculture production in 2018 hit a record $7.89 billion, a 12% increase over 2017 numbers.
Marcy Martin is the new president of the Citrus Research Board, Visalia Calif., which administers the industry-funded California Citrus Research Program.
Guatemala’s exports of specialty vegetables and fruits to the U.S. have been steadily rising over the past two decades.
IMG Citrus, Vero Beach, Fla., has added an electronic fruit grader to its packing line.
Seald Sweet International is branching out into avocados with a partnership with Mexican grower Valvilla Produce.
Mission Produce Inc., Oxnard, Calif., has big plans in Colombia.
Farm Pak Products Inc., Spring Hope, N.C., is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared the U.S. is free of the plum pox virus, which harms stone fruit trees like peaches, and almonds.
Fresh Del Monte Produce has released its 2019 Sustainability Report, documenting the company’s efforts to reduce emissions and achieve carbon neutrality
Keeping in place a tomato suspension agreement between Mexican growers and the Commerce Department, the International Trade Commission ruled that Mexican tomatoes sold at less than “fair value” threaten the U.S.