Produce Crops
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.
The Salinas, Calif.-based grower-shipper expects promotable volumes of its organic and conventional varieties in the beginning of the year through March, with the largest quantities in February.
If consumers are looking to get the most bang for their buck, the potato category at their grocer is the place they should make sure they shop, says Carissa Olsen, president and CEO of NoKota Packers, Inc., Buxton, N.D.
Bee Sweet Citrus is reporting a strong supply of lemons, cara cara navel oranges and blood oranges this year in time for spring holiday promotions.
A USDA retail price report showed the average advertised price for a 10-pound bag of russet potatoes on Feb. 3 was $4.72, up 4% from $4.53 the same time a year ago.
With mushroom- and veggie-laden offerings, pizza lovers can have it both ways on National Pizza Day, Feb. 9, 2023..
Florida’s orange production estimate was knocked down again in the USDA’s February report.
U.S. fresh apple holdings on Feb. 1 totaled 71.9 million (42-pound) cartons, 7.3% less than the same time a year ago.
Despite elevated pricing for potatoes, retailers are learning that potatoes are still the “pound for pound” best value in the produce department, says Ross Johnson.