Produce Crops
The Northwest cherry crop for Sage Fruit is wide-ranging across Northwest growing regions and high-flying in quality expectations.
Apple purchases are up according to responses in The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2024 survey. Just over 78% of consumers reported purchasing apples in the last 12 months.
With another good apple crop anticipated for 2024, Sparta, Mich.-based Applewood Fresh Growers is well-stocked to market premium 2023 apples well into the summer, company officials say.
The USDA recently awarded over $2.2 million in Fiscal Year 2023 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funding to Michigan.
The Washington cherry crop could be a bit short of earlier expectations, but retailers should have plenty of fruit to promote this summer, says Mac Riggan, Chelan Fresh vice president of sales and business development.
The Michigan Apple Committee has contracted with the FoodMix agency to assist with the group’s consumer marketing efforts, says Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee.
The Sunshine State accounted for about 56% of total domestic fresh round tomato truck shipments, according to the USDA’s annual shipment summary.
Continued inflation industrywide, coupled with an unfavorable exchange for growers, is making life difficult for growers and distributors of fresh fruits and vegetables from West Mexico.
A multistate project uses artificial intelligence and hyperspectral imaging to understand the data behind sweetpotato quality with the hope of developing a tool to help producers and processors.
In the heart of California’s agricultural landscape lies the Salinas Valley, renowned as the “Salad Bowl of the World,” which yields a bounty of fresh produce and plays a pivotal role in shaping the global food market.
“Skyrocketing labor costs driven by an unrealistic, unsustainable federal government calculation pose a critical threat ...” said Michigan Agri-Business Association President Chuck Lippstreu.
Georgia growers expect a strong spring/summer season despite a late start in some regions caused by heavier-than-usual spring rains.
Mexico’s blueberry production in 2024 is forecast to rise 8% over 2023, according to a new USDA report.
Oppy anticipates normal harvest timing for cherries, with the first pick of its Orchard View cherries in Oregon set for June 13.
Nut and dried fruit suppliers and trade associations are launching memorable marketing campaigns designed to appeal to millennial and Gen Z shoppers who are strong snackers.
The state produces more than 70 varieties of potatoes, many of which undergo evaluation at the Colorado State University research farm prior to being released for public consumption.
An estimated 30 million pounds of Colombian avocados are projected to be shipped to the U.S. market in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Thousands of pounds of Colombian sugar mangoes are now being distributed throughout the U.S. The mid-May entry of the mango variety, grown only in Colombia, is the first time the fruit has been marketed in the U.S.
The state’s orange production was up 4% from the previous season, and grapefruit production increased 7%, the USDA reports.
The buses are part of a New York Apple Association campaign spreading the word that New York state-grown apples are arriving at local grocers.
A heatwave kicking off around mid-September delayed or interrupted the start of the 2024 harvest for most Red River Valley potato growers, but digging was expected to get back on schedule.
The North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission is shifting into high gear to promote what is expected to be an ample, high-quality crop.
Historically a big packer and shipper of cucumbers, Nash Produce in recent years has been solely focused on sweetpotatoes, said David Bradley, director of business development for the Nashville, N.C.-based marketer.
New Rochelle, N.Y.-based LGS Specialty Sales expects an early start for Moroccan citrus this season.
The USDA has announced its intent to purchase up to $25 million in fresh citrus from domestic producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs.
The Glennville, Ga.-based operation said Vidalia sweet onions will be available through early October due to a strong season.
The new quarantine area in California’s Alameda and Santa Clara includes 54 acres of winegrapes, olives, avocados, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.
Zespri said it has used 62 charter vessels — up from 51 last season — to ship this season’s kiwifruit from New Zealand.
Jackie Carrillo, executive vice president of sales, and Dax Cooke, head of sales, both for fresh produce grower-packer-importer Farm Direct Partners, share how West Coast imports are changing and more.
The company said its South American imports will begin for East Coast customers.