Produce Crops
The area under citrus cultivation in South Africa has grown steadily over the past decade, pushed ahead by ongoing investments on relatively high earnings from export markets.
Seattle, Wash.-based computer vision company IUNU has published a report containing information on how Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus spreads, how to detect ToBRFV, diagnostics for every stage of production and more.
USDA estimates harvested acreage for 2022 at 902,200 acres. That’s down from 935,700 in 2021, which itself was a tight year.
Conditions look excellent for GEM-Pack Florida strawberries, says Michelle Deleissegues, director of marketing for the company.
Florida strawberries are expected to show increasing volume for Christmas and New Year celebrations, says Sue Harrell, marketing director for the Florida Strawberry Growers Association.
December’s USDA crop production report reflected the damaging effects of Hurricane Ian in late September and Hurricane Nicole in early November on Florida’s citrus crop.
The 2022-23 season marks the 100th anniversary of Astin Farms, and Payton Astin, marketing director for the Plant City, Fla.-based supplier, said that milestone will be celebrated.
Shipping-point prices for fresh-market vegetables surged 33% over the first 10 months of 2022, which a USDA report said was the largest year-over-year gain since 1995.
The contest offers produce managers the chance to win cash prizes for the merchandising and sales of the company’s top-selling Baby Golds in 24-ounce, 3-pound and bulk offerings, according to a news release.
Bova Fresh LLC has increased acreage of Florida strawberries this season and has excellent crop prospects, says Bob Wilhelm, owner of the Boca Raton, Fla.-based marketer.
Florida strawberry volume is increasing for Well-Pict Berries, says Jim Grabowski, director of marketing.
The public will have an additional 30 business days to provide comments on the documents.
Florida strawberries are entering their prime time.
The storage report captures more than 95% of the national storage capacity, according to the U.S. Apple Association.
After frost cut short the 2022 crop, Chilean citrus production and exports should bounce back in a big way in 2023, a new USDA report predicts.
Because of their proximity and similar climates, Central America and the Caribbean islands grow many of the same fruits and vegetables, which largely fall into two groups.
FreshPak Inc. has installed a new Spectrim grader from Compac Sorting Equipment, said Jackson Hall, partner at Hoople-based Hall’s, which owns H&S FreshPak with O.C. Schulz & Sons Inc., Crystal, N.D.
Peru’s growers are calling for the government to act after a week of demonstrations that the Association of Agricultural Producers Guilds of Peru said have introduced “chaos, death and roadblocks.”
A shorter crop of apples in Washington has led to declines in exports at the start of the 2022-23 season.
Pink Lady apples are in healthy supply as Valentine’s Day approaches, and it is also time for retailers to start planning granny smith ads for St. Patrick’s Day, says Catherine Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing.
The larger crop of Michigan apples should move out to strong demand this season, says Ken Korson, apple category manager for North Bay Produce, Traverse City, Mich.
A shorter crop of Washington apples and higher costs for growers this year has caused elevated pricing and new ways to move the crop.
As a 21st century farm manager, you’ve invested in high-tech options. But what about your farm office?
A partnership with the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills team has raised awareness of SnapDragon apples in Eastern markets, says Jessica Wells, executive director of Crunch Time Apple Growers, Lockport, N.Y.
Emerging branded apple varieties should keep the excitement level high in retail produce departments despite lower overall volume from Washington state, say officials with CMI, Wenatchee, Wash.
Michigan’s apple crop enjoyed a great growing season that has resulted in better volume and a larger size profile for many varieties, said Trish Taylor, marketing manager for Riveridge Produce.
Wenatchee, Wash.-based Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers is enjoying growth in its proprietary varieties as more trees come into production, said Dan Davis, director of business development.
Communicating with truck drivers, treating them well when they arrive at Chelan Fresh facilities and getting them loaded quickly are some ways the company is helping drivers, says Mac Riggan, director of marketing.
The Kennett Square, Pa.-based mushroom company is opening the most modern, state-of-the-art mushroom farm in the U.S. on Jan. 19 and will increase overall production by 20%, said Michael Richmond.
The Belding, Mich.-based company is promoting higher-end, high-flavor varieties like SweeTango, Smitten, and Honeycrisp, says Casey Jarrard, vice president of sales.