Produce Crops
Giveaways, promotions and more will mark the start of the season, which officially runs from January to April.
USDA trade numbers show Mexico accounted for 91% of total U.S. fresh tomato imports in 2023.
The increasing impact of citrus greening is clouding the long-term outlook, however, according to a report from the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
The annual “State of the Strawberry Category Report” highlights year-over-year growth in conventional and organic berries.
Despite weather challenges in the Southeast, Fresha says it has a steady supply of carrots this season.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says the move seeks to prevent the spread of the bacterial infection to non-infested areas in the U.S.
Growers in the main U.S. winter citrus production areas share reports from the field.
The Watsonville, Calif.-based grower said retailers can expect an ample amount of organic and conventionally grown strawberries, including from its Fresh From Florida label.
The trees only have been tested in greenhouses and in university labs so far, but plans call for expanding into field testing at the university within a year.
The organization said it has prepared its marketing campaigns and promotional materials for retailers for the upcoming season.
With plenty of fruits and vegetables heading to the U.S., companies spoke with The Packer about crop quality and program outlooks.
Gov. Josh Stein recently recognized the significant impact of sweetpotatoes on the state’s agriculture industry.
More than 3 million trays of Zespri RubyRed kiwifruit will be available this season, with its berry-like taste available for the first time in some new markets.
Fresh apples in storage sit at 92.7 million bushels, which is less than the inventories reported in February 2024 but higher than the five-year average.
The kiwifruit marketer forecasts strong grower returns as it looks to surpass a long-standing target for global revenue in 2025.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture added more of the Mission Viejo area to the state’s huanglongbing quarantine.
The region is a key hub for berry production, supplying retailers with an early season of fresh strawberries, blueberries and more.
Apple growers from across the country participated in the U.S. Apple Association’s Capitol Hill Day, meeting with more than 100 legislative offices on trade, labor and farm bill issues.
A research team at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is using smart sprayers for herbicide applications in tomatoes planted with plastic mulch.
The global microgreens market is expected to surge from a valuation of $3.24 billion in 2024 to $7.97 billion by 2032, according to a report by IMIR Market Research.
U.S. holdings of fresh apples on Dec. 1 were 121.5 million cartons.
The November USDA crop production report reported that the potato area harvested in 2024 was 923,100 acres, down 4% from 2023.
New Zealand kiwifruit growers have approved expansion of Zespri SunGold kiwifruit acreage to be added throughout Italy, France, Japan, South Korea and Greece.
While fresh and processing apple holdings are down from the 2023-24 season, the figure of 151 million bushels is still 11% higher than the five-year average for January.
As it marks kickoff of California avocado season, the company said it’s preparing to meet the high demand of the bowl season blitz.
Originating in the eastern U.S., the pathogen has been found in Peru, Morrocco, China, Portugal and Mexico and was likely spread through infected nursery material.
The collaboration seeks to develop neopestalotiopsis resistance in existing University of Florida cultivars.
A $5 million USDA grant will support efforts to expand avocado production and stop the spread of a disease that has destroyed 350,000 avocado trees in Florida.
U.S. imports of Chilean blueberries totaled 45,982 metric tons in 2022, up from 42,458 metric tons in 2021 and up from 42,608 metric tons in 2020.
Volume of U.S. fresh potatoes sent to Mexico was up 55% from October 2023 through September 2024, the USDA reports.