Produce Crops
Imports of Mexican tomatoes through all U.S. ports totaled $2.49 billion from January through November 2023, up 1% from calendar year 2022 imports of $2.48 billion, up 5% from $2.38 billion in 2020.
From 2014 to 2023, U.S. imports of Mexican berries (excluding strawberries) rose 307%, while avocado imports jumped 215%, USDA trade data shows.
January has been much more forgiving in 2024 with the volume coming out of Oxnard, Calif., currently double of what it was at this time in 2023, the company says.
A marketing campaign for TX1015 sweet onions will feature promotions including a sweepstakes, social media giveaways and restaurant events.
Fueled by Easter shopping lists, sweetpotatoes are expected to be in high demand in late March and into the spring. But the demand won’t stop there, industry leaders say.
Hurricanes last fall, recent drought and other factors have held back some fresh produce output in Mexico in recent months, but the value of U.S. imports from the country continues to climb.
Stone fruit grower Moonlight Cos. has formed a joint venture with Sun Pacific to purchase 5,000 acres of former Prima Wawona land, valued at $91 million.
The Pomegranate Fiber, which is upcycled from POM Wonderful pomegranate husks after juicing, is a fiber-dense powder that can be used in a variety of food applications.
With Vidalia onions soon heading to supermarket shelves, retailers have options to enhance their marketing, and the Vidalia Onion Committee and Certified Angus Beef will feature a summer grilling series on social media.
A new research project hopes to identify genetic markers to breed artichokes for improved storage.
The Brooklyn, N.Y.-based mushroom grower plans to streamline operations, its marketing director told The Packer. Smallhold’s co-founder announced his departure in February.
A U.S. Apple Association report shows apple holdings for March are also 25% higher than the five-year average for the month.
Barring unforeseen weather events, Texas spring onion season is expected to feature plenty of good-quality product, growers say.
The Ridge Spring, S.C.-based company says a collaboration with the Borquez family in the Mexican state of Sonora will bring early access to the market with the first peaches harvested in the Northern Hemisphere.
The company says it will offer both Gem and hass avocados as the season kicks off in the Golden State.
T&G Global says the company and its independent growers will collectively pick over 4 million tray carton equivalents of apples this year, including its premium Jazz and Envy apple brands.
The state’s department of agriculture added 17 counties to control the spread of the invasive insect.
With sweet onion sales accounting for 35% of the onion category, retail promotional efforts involving endcap displays, bins and cross-merchandising can increase market share, says the marketer’s vice president of sales.
Oppy is awaiting the arrival of a new crop of Southern Hemisphere Envy apples alongside a diverse range of year-round varieties, company officials say.
The “Powered by Potatoes” education series helps retailers understand the retail sales opportunities for potatoes.
Under the terms of the acquisition, the Delano, Calif.-based table grape grower and marketer has exclusive rights to all brands, trademarks and DNA associated with the Holiday variety.
The agency will host a 60-day comment period for this decision for the pesticide used in cranberry, Brussel sprouts and other crop production.
The University of California study gives growers a baseline to estimate the costs of establishment and cost of production years, including potential profits or losses.
With a start date of about June 1, the 2024 Northwest cherry crop will begin 10-12 days ahead of the 2023 crop, according to Northwest Cherry Growers.
Tomatoes for the program, which includes vine-ripened rounds, romas and mature greens, are produced year-round in two regions in Mexico.
While the total inventory continues to lower as the season winds down, fresh apple holdings still sit above the five-year average.
The California Cantaloupe Advisory Board and chef Will Horowitz created The Possible Burger, featuring smoked cantaloupe, to capitalize on younger generations’ interest in healthy eating and plant-based diets.
New Jersey is the Garden State for good reason. Farmers in New Jersey produce more than 100 different kinds of fruits and vegetables for consumers to enjoy, according to data from Rutgers University.
Pink Cosmo and Hunkaberry will be available for retailers and foodservice customers in limited supplies this month.
The Sunshine State’s avocado growers continue their nearly two-decades-long battle with the destructive laurel wilt disease.