Produce Crops
Florida citrus production was staggered by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole last fall, but those setbacks are temporary, says Steven Callaham, CEO of Dundee Citrus Growers Association.
Healthy eating continues to be top-of-mind for shoppers, and Sunkist citrus offerings are in a prime position to meet the demands of consumers, says Christina Ward, senior director of global marketing at Sunkist.
The Wenatchee, Wash.-based company is expanding the year-round availability of its high-flavor organic apple varieties, and that investment is paying off, company officials say.
Doral, Fla.-based PJ Citrus continues to grow its business with a variety of citrus options and a focus on customer service, says Julyann Borges, president.
Organic citrus volume is up for Reedley, Calif.-based Valliwide Organics, says Mason Parkinson, owner.
Sales Manager Keith Wilson noted a strong demand for blood oranges this season, an improvement after lighter demand for that variety in the last couple of years.
Demand for fresh citrus is strong for Toronto, Canada-based Fresh Taste Produce, says Tara Glazer, marketing director.
The New Jersey-based company anticipates growth in both supply and demand, with its citrus category expected to increase in volume, says Steve Stackhouse, director of operations.
Lone Star Citrus is having a bounce-back year.
For the first time, mandarins are getting the limelight for USDA food program purchases.
While the weather has slowed California’s organic citrus harvest, promotion opportunities will be plentiful in the weeks and months ahead, says Elise Smith, marketing manager for Homegrown Organic Farms.
Weather has been a surprise this year, with California’s heavy rains and harvest delays putting demand pressure on alternative supplies from Morocco for the midwinter to late spring months on mandarins and oranges.
The increased supply of artichokes provides retailers an opportunity for a seasonal boost in category sales, meeting shopper demand around healthy eating choices, the company said.
Rio Rico, Ariz.-based Rich River Produce is looking to expand its conventional and organic produce volume considerably this year, says Andrea Duarte, marketing and public relations director.
The USDA will conduct a referendum April 3-May 1 on proposed amendments to the federal marketing order regulating the handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and pummelos grown in Florida.
The Nogales, Ariz.-based company reports good production of colored bell peppers, mini peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and squash/zucchini.
Total Mexican grape volume for the company should be close to 6.5 million cartons in 2023, up about a million cartons from a year ago.
Mexican mangoes will be coming on by early March for Tubac, Ariz.-based Ciruli Bros., says Chris Ciruli, chief operations officer.
Because of increased growing costs at its Oxnard, Calif., headquarters, Boskovich Farms Inc. now is producing its fall-winter organic vegetable crop in Baja California, Mexico.
The 2022-23 season has been more difficult than most, but the Rio Rico, Ariz.-based company is leaning on strong relationships with its growers and a diversified customer base, says CEO Miguel A. Suarez.
The action will revise the size and uniformity requirements for all varieties of the Actinidia chinensis species of kiwifruit regulated under the marketing order.
The USDA has purchased more than 450,000 cartons of mandarins and tangerines for the agency’s child nutrition and other related domestic food assistance programs.
Potato farmers from across Washington state will travel to Olympia, Wash., to celebrate Potato Day on Feb. 21.
The Association of Agricultural Producers Guild of Peru reported in late January that road blockades by protesters have limited agricultural exports and hammered farmers.
Media outlets, culinary influencers and even retailers nationwide in recent weeks have named fresh mushrooms a 2023 food to watch.
All potato retail sales increased by 14.4% in 2022 but fell in volume by 1.5%, according to statistics published by Potatoes USA and compiled by IRI.
Oxnard, Calif.-based Mission Produce, Inc. has announced a joint venture to develop South African avocado production.
Avocados From Mexico has revealed its Big Game Teaser video, featuring actress and avocado lover Anna Faris.
Bakersfield, Calif.-based Country Sweet Produce’s Bako Sweet is celebrating American Heart Month, National Sweet Potato Month, Valentine’s Day and Cook a Sweet Potato Day in February.
Southern California’s strawberry season got off to a soggy start this year, with nearly 4 inches of rain falling in the Oxnard growing area in January. The rains put a damper on early season picking.