Produce Crops
Grower-shippers say onion volume has inched upward this season, and plenty of good-quality onions should be available for the holidays and beyond.
In mid-November, Nogales, Ariz.-based EarthBlend was receiving a steady supply of Sonoran soft squash and cucumbers, and Sinaloa volume was about to kick in, says Steve Spence, director of sales.
The Mexican produce season started a little earlier than usual for Rio Rico, Ariz.-based Rich River Produce, says founder Edgar Duarte.
Year-round programs, snacking commodities, organics and flavor are all trends for Mexican produce — and all are important to the Divine Flavor brand, says Michael DuPuis, quality assurance manager.
Farmer’s Best LLC will increase its acreage in seedless cucumbers, elongated red peppers, and eggplant programs, says Sasha Lewton, sales manager.
Volume of Mexican produce items was expected to increase for PennRose Farms LLC after Thanksgiving, says spokesperson Christopher Ciruli.
It’s not easy being a tomato farmer in Florida, but even as their numbers dwindle, enough die-hard farmers remain to earn Florida the No. 1 ranking for the value of fresh-market tomatoes in the U.S.
With the 2023-24 Chilean table grape season starting in November, Chilean grape importers from across the U.S. are urgently requesting the U.S. authorities to accelerate the authorization of a systems approach.
Florida citrus volume will be up this year, and industry leaders were pleased with the outlook in mid-November.
“Climate change and the El Niño phenomenon are putting agriculture in Chile and the world to the test,” said Iván Marambio, president of Frutas de Chile.
One trend in the fresh produce/citrus packaging space is the increasing demand for sustainable and recyclable materials, says Jacob Fox, sales representative for Fox Packaging, McAllen, Texas.
Oppy’s marketing plan for Mexican avocados centers around the pillars of sustainability, high quality and reliability, says Rodrigo Lopez, category director of citrus and avocados.
It’s almost summer in the Southern Hemisphere, which means it’s time for Chilean fruit. Here’s what to expect for commodities, quality and volume.
The ToLCNDV Information Center has launched as a one-stop location for details about resistant varieties and agronomic insights to target the damaging pest spreading the tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus.
The Florida Strawberry Growers Association will aim to entice consumers with the rallying cry, “Love Florida Strawberries!” as part of its marketing initiatives for the 2023-24 winter strawberry season.
The USDA, in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, expanded the areas quarantined for Asian citrus psyllid in California on Nov. 6.
Efforts are underway to ensure that Chilean-grown blueberries meet the same quality standards as U.S. blueberries, industry sources say.
In Mexico, “growers throughout the country use greenhouses, shade houses, high-tunnel systems, and other climate-control technologies to supply the U.S. market year-round,” the report said.
Florida citrus production is up this year, according to the USDA’s November crop production report.
Availability of water in growing regions is one concern for Mexican produce growers and distributors this season, says Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas.
The dVida Co. has announced year-round availability for its mango and dragon fruit programs.
U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes through all ports in 2022 totaled $2.48 billion, and this Texas port district accounted for 57% of all Mexican tomato value.
The organization plans to put New York-grown apples on center stage for the Big Game with a marketing blitz, giveaway and more.
Honeybear Brands’ Pazazz Apple and chef Elle Simone Scott of “America’s Test Kitchen” are encouraging shoppers to check out the American Institute for Cancer Research’s online tool.
The USDA said it is amending a federal order that prohibited importing fresh bell peppers (Capsicum annuum) from Spain into the U.S. to prevent Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata or Medfly) introduction.
Lemonade is a cross between a gala and braeburn, giving the apple its crunchy effervescence paired with a blushing cheek.
Researchers at Penn State University discovered a new strain of blackleg, also known as soft rot, in potatoes sampled in the state. Blackleg can lead to significant loses for farmers.
Naturipe says retailers can take advantage of peak volumes during its FeBLUEary promotional campaign.
Crespo Organic anticipates that ataulfo mangoes will experience robust and increased market demand as retailers are expected to attempt to fill the void in round-fruit pipelines.
While trying to slow the spread of the invasive pest, researchers discovered its attraction to vibration.