Produce Crops
Schmieding Produce, which ships watermelons grown in most of the major watermelon areas in the U.S., has acquired North Carolina grower Moore’s Produce.
California’s 2018 strawberry season got off to a rousing start, with volume as of March 3 more than double that of last year — 7.78 million trays compared to 3.7 million trays in 2017.
Freska Produce International LLC has obtained Fair Trade USA certification for growers in Oaxaca, Mexico, and is working to certify all of its growers in Mexico.
U.S. senators from both parties from citrus-producing states are asking the Senate Agriculture Committee to include $125 million in the farm bill for citrus greening research.
A survey of California dried plum (prune) growers puts the 2018 crop at 80,000 tons, down 24% from last season’s 105,000 tons.
Catch up on late season developments with a bunch of berry companies from around North America.
The California Table Grape Commission is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a pair of web seminars scheduled to take companies through the steps of becoming an approved USDA Foods vendor.
Northwest pear growers are starting the season with an estimated 20.2 million 44-pound box equivalents, which is the fourth-largest crop in history.
With a season hampered by heat, wind and fire, California avocado growers have been challenged.
(UPDATED, Aug. 16) The California lemon market isn’t backing down from $50 cartons in mid-August, and tight supplies could exist well into September and even October.
Sakata Seed American, Morgan Hill, Calif., has sold its onion breeding program to Cape Town, South Africa-based Zaad Holdings Ltd.
HMC Farms, Kingsburg, Calif., has expanded a program designed to increase consumption among school children.
Washington apple marketers are forecasting a fresh crop of 131 million 40-pound boxes in the 2018-19 season, a 2% drop from the previous crop of 134 million boxes.
Importers report good volume and quality for Peruvian asparagus, with interest expected to tick up as production in numerous other regions finishes up.
Honeybear Brands is set for a big splash at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Oct. 19-20 in Orlando, Fla.
With just two shipping weekends before Halloween, there is an abundant amount of pumpkins to be sold.
House and Senate farm bill conference committee members can’t agree on proposed reforms to the food stamp program, and the clock is ticking on getting the legislation passed this year.
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Equitable Food Initiative hopes that its “Responsibly Grown Farmworker Assured” label will elevate the status of those suppliers in the eyes of the produce buying community.
The Chilean fruit industry is assessing the damage to stone fruit, cherries, blueberries, kiwifruit and grapes after a Nov. 12 hailstorm.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture adjusted its estimate for the Florida orange crop to 77 million boxes, down 3% from October.
Onion growers in South Texas have voted in favor of downsizing the number of members on the South Texas Onion Committee, the marketing order that oversees the industry.
U.S. exports of potatoes in the most recent quarter saw declines across the board, with the largest drop in fresh exports, in what Potatoes USA says reflects trade disputes with Mexico and China.
Greenhouse grower Red Sun Farms, Kingsville, Ontario, will be growing next-generation OZblu blueberries at its Mexico facilities, which promise to deliver a firmer, crunchier and more flavorful berry.
Apeel Sciences plans to bring its shelf-life extending technology to European avocado marketer Nature’s Pride.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative are seeking nominations for six trade advisory committees, including one for the fruit and vegetable industry.
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is seeking nominees to fill 26 of the 40 seats available on the council.
The Big Idaho Potato Truck has finished another season on the road, traveling more than 40,000 miles and participating in almost 70 events in 2018.
Limoneira Co., Santa Paula, Calif., has entered into an agreement with FGF Trapani, a family-owned citrus operation in Argentina, acquiring 1,200 acres of lemons up front and another 1,200 over a three-year period.
About two dozen fresh produce and nut companies are recipients of funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s $200 million Agricultural Trade Promotion Program, to alleviate the effects of tariffs on exports.