Produce Crops
The biggest trend this year for OC Schulz & Sons Inc., Crystal, N.D., is the continued demand for yellow potatoes.
The value of U.S. imports of fresh produce increased at a double-digit pace in 2022, with volume growing at a moderate pace.
Chicago-based Hazel Technologies is teaming up with Sysco and Avocados From Mexico for a second year to help preserve the quality of fruit in the direct-to-consumer Gametime Guac Box meal kit.
Total U.S. fresh produce exports were rated at $6.89 billion in 2022, down 4% in value compared with 2021 and unchanged from 2020.
The Folsom, Calif.-based U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is encouraging consumers to make heart-smart choices — like grabbing a boost of blue — in February for American Heart Month.
Coral Gables, Fla.-based Fresh Del Monte has announced a strong expansion plan for its convenient 24-count single-serve Del Monte banana box across the European market.
The most favored potato variety is still the russet, according to The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2023 survey.
Southeast berry grower-shippers say they should have a decent-size crop of good-quality blueberries and blackberries this spring as long as the weather remains favorable.
The USDA predicts U.S. citrus output will decline from 11.2 billion pounds in 2022 to 9.8 billion pounds in 2032.
USDA trade projections through 2032 call for U.S. ag exports to decline at an annual rate averaging 0.7% per year, ending at $182.2 billion in 2032.
Mexico asparagus programs for the months of January to March will take a substantial hit due to prolonged cold weather during the growing season, a Mexican grower group reports.
A review of Nielsen sales data released by Proprietary Variety Management shows Cosmic Crisp sales vaulting the variety into the top 10 bestselling U.S. varieties for the first time.
The USDA’s newly released annual report on Farm and Land in Farms showed drops in farm numbers and farm acreage in 2021 compared with 2020.
Imports can begin starting Feb. 15, the USDA said.
The volume of U.S. fresh potato exports jumped 10% in the calendar year 2022 despite an 8% drop in volume, USDA statistics reveal.
Known for its Crawfish B-Red potatoes, the company has added a 3-pound Crawfish Medley Pack and a 3-pound Crawfish Gold Pack.
Side Delights is promoting heart-healthy eating changes that can reduce the conditions that put consumers at risk.
Weather conditions and expanded acreage for the Texas onion crop are setting up for promotable volumes starting in late March, industry leaders say.
Bananas have maintained consumer appeal despite rising inflation and food costs, and Bobby Banana will be the face of Dole bananas in special events and web, social media, marketing and retail programs.
Naturipe will have very strong supplies of berries throughout the spring and summer of 2023, says Jerry Moran, vice president of sales for the Watsonville, Calif.-based marketer.
The Netherlands-based Enza Zaden says its new tomato varieties provide growers another tool to combat Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV).
World avocado output has boomed in the last decade, and global expansion in production is far from over, Rabobank says in a new report.
Watsonville, Calif.-based Well-Pict is taking its trade show team to the West Coast Produce Expo, company officials say.
New Zealand kiwifruit marketer Zespri has reported that challenging weather events throughout the 2023 growing season have contributed to a lower-than-expected New Zealand kiwifruit crop this season.
With optimism abound in orchards, the association is also highlighting its school initiatives and plans to aid retailers.
Michigan State University scientists have been awarded $750,000 by the USDA to develop new ways to manage potato early die disease, which can reduce potato yields by 50%.
Gem-Pack Berries is focused on coordinatingwith its retail customers to work through delays and transition into a successful late spring and summer berry season.
The Garden State, which grows more than 100 varieties of fruits and vegetables on about 70,000 acres, had a mild winter and spring.
Ben Wilson, Ocean Mist Farms artichoke commodity manager, said the company is seeing outstanding-quality artichokes, focused primarily on large sizes.
Recent heavy rainfall was a godsend to The Golden State’s cantaloupe producers, delaying planting but also providing a welcome break from growing under drought restrictions for this year’s crop.