Top trends at inaugural IFPA Global Produce and Floral Show, part 1

ORLANDO, Fla. — The International Fresh Produce Association hosted its first-ever Global Produce and Floral Show in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 27-29 — to rave reviews. 

“We’re happy to be back at the show. It’s very well attended with a delightful pace of people coming by the booth,” David Watson, senior vice president, sales and marketing for Fresh Farms, told The Packer. “It’s the best I’ve ever seen — not overcrowded but with a good cross-section of retailers and foodservice buyers, and a lot of new innovation on the show floor.”

With just over one buyer for every three attendees and 217 first-time exhibitors, the show offered “a critical opportunity to make connections and create new partnerships,” according to a news release. IFPA said attendees hailed from approximately 40 countries, giving the event a global perspective, as its name suggests.

“There’s a lot of excitement and a lot of companies here,” said Cliff Riner, research and development manager of Vidalia onion grower-shipper G&R Farms.

While hopes headed into the biggest U.S. produce show of the year were high, it still exceeded the expectations of some exhibitors.   

“I’ve been shocked by the [booth] traffic we’ve had,” said Ross Johnson, international marketing director for the Idaho Potato Commission.

Part of the show floor opened a day earlier than the entire show, to allow attendees to visit with business solutions providers and technology partners. 

“I am thrilled with the overwhelming support our first Global Produce and Floral Show received from across the supply chain this year. This was a long-overdue return to gathering in October, and it was made possible due to the leadership and support of our exhibitors, sponsors, volunteer leaders and guests," IFPA CEO Cathy Burns said in a release. "I know I am leaving Orlando feeling energized and inspired about where the global produce and floral community is headed and how IFPA can clear the path for success.”

Hot topics on the show floor ran the gamut — inflation, climate change, sustainability, controlled environment agriculture, labor, technology, new varieties, the power of social media, snacking, convenience, packaging trends and much more were top of mind for attendees and exhibitors alike.

Seen and heard at Global Produce and Floral Show:

iTradeNetwork

iTradeNetwork, a global provider of supply chain management solutions for the food and beverage industry, says its cloud-based software is designed to improve efficiency and provide greater visibility across the supply chain for procurement, traceability, analytics and data services.

At the iTradeNetwork booth, Mike Anderson, vice president of solutions consulting, and Blake Parrish, vice president of product management, shared how iTradeNetwork has “reimagined its order management solutions from the ground up.” 

Parrish and Anderson also discussed the regulatory side of supply chain management.

“We know regulations are coming,” said Anderson, referring to section 204 of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, “and in some respects that’s a good thing. [But] our customers aren’t experts in regulations. At the end of the day, it’s about data storage and traceability solutions,” adding iTrade’s “incredibly functional” traceability platform can be easily accessed by mobile phone.

Another area where iTradeNetwork can help is by using supply chain solutions to improve the freshness of product all the way to the consumer level.

“Better shelf life helps to eliminate food waste,” Parrish said.

iTradeNetwork says its technology also streamlines labor workflow. “You’re able to do more with less,” Anderson said.

Oppy

The Oppenheimer Group, which recently welcomed back Category Director of Greenhouse Kevin Batt, showcased its expanding greenhouse program that includes larger volumes out of Mexico.

Oppy’s Executive Category Director Aaron Quon said a fresh year-round crop is underway in Mexico from Divemex, with sweet bell peppers and mini peppers, along with long English cucumbers that are available until spring. The produce is offered in a range of conventional, organic, Fair Trade Certified and Fair Trade Certified organic options.

Oppy is also expanding its tomato program from Mexico this winter with its Frank & Able label.

“In the past, we haven’t been that big on the tomato side in Mexico,” Quon said. But that is changing with the expansive line that includes tomatoes-on-the-vine, grape tomatoes and specialty offerings.

“We’re also reimagining our [greenhouse] category with the Up Vertical line of vertically grown greens,” Quon said. The new line of baby lettuces, leafy greens and romaine is set to come to market in January 2023.

“With Kevin coming in, we’re trying to create a really robust program moving forward,” Quon added.

Apple update

Apples were also a juicy topic at the Oppy booth, where Cecilia Flores Paez, head of marketing, North America for T&G Global Limited — marketer of the Envy and JAZZ apple brands — shared excitement for the return of in-store sampling and more.

“Envy and JAZZ are really well positioned to satisfy demand,” said Paez, who added that there’s good color and a range of apple sizes this season.

“The medium- to big-size apples perform well,” Paez said. “Consumers realize Envy and JAZZ apples are a safe bet — they never disappoint. Now that shoppers are back in-store, we’re using multiple tactics to promote them.” From sharing recipes to sampling to offering retailers colorful bags and bins, the apple brands are drawing consumer attention, she added.

While the Wenatchee and Yakima, Wash. season experienced a late harvest, the “quality looks really good,” said Chris Willett, vice president growing and sales operations at ENZAFruit Products, T&G Global. “It will be a shorter crop, as we’re seeing that across all varieties. We think demand will be high,” he added.

California Avocado Commission

California produced 278 million pounds of avocados this year, said Jan DeLyser, vice president marketing for California Avocado Commission. And while she says, “it’s really early to project next year,” California is expected to produce about 270 million pounds next year.

“It’ll be interesting to see what inflation does to the market,” said DeLyser, who has confidence in the California avocado consumer.

“There’s a lot of loyalty to California avocados,” she said.

CAC is continuing with its “the best avocados have California in them” advertising campaign next year and looks to extend its messaging reach in-store, online and throughout California.

“Bags are a big deal, and they continue to grow,” said Marji Morrow

, director of strategic marketing. The beauty of branding bags as California avocados is that the bags provide more real estate to identify origin, she added.

Pure Flavor

Pure Flavor hit on numerous trends including controlled environment agriculture and snacking.

The Ontario-based company featured its Solara and new Alonna greenhouse-grown melons. The Alonna Canary Melon was eight years in R&D, and Pure Flavor’s second greenhouse-grown melon to come to market in less than six months, said Chris Veillon, chief marketing officer, who added that three additional greenhouse melons are in the pipeline for introduction in the next year to 18 months.

“CEA offers food safety, traceability and consistency of flavor — all of which generate sales,” Veillon said.

Like Solara, Alonna Canary Melons are personal in size. The Alonna weighs approximately 700-800 grams, making it ideal for snacking.

“Snacking is hot,” Veillon said. “We’re focused on snacking because if you want to grow the industry, you need to be part of every meal.”

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc.

Snacking was also a hot topic at the Del Monte/Mann Packing booth.

“Snacking continues to be a major trend, especially in c-stores,” said Ella Peterson, senior manager brand marketing for Fresh Del Monte and Mann’s. The now officially merged companies showcased an array of on-the-go snack options, including examples from its Mezete partnership, featuring shelf-stable hummus with grape tomatoes.

Convenience, value and healthy eating was also on trend at the Fresh Del Monte/Mann’s booth, which sampled Mann’s new air fryer line of veggies in three flavors: Green Beans With Charred Onion and Bacon; Cauliflower With Parmesan Peppercorn; and Broccoli With Lemon and Herbs.

While the air fryer line includes microwave instructions on each bag, there are plenty of consumers who will be using their air fryers to cook up the tasty and convenient vegetables.

Forty percent of American consumers have an air fryer, Peterson said. The number of air fryer users increases to 70% among fresh produce consumers, she added.

“We’re looking to offer a fruit and vegetable for every occasion,” she said.

Chilean Fresh Fruit Exporters Association

“We are very optimistic,” said Iván Marambio Castaño, the new president of Chilean Fresh Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX), about this season’s fruit from Chile.

While weather problems last year led to a decrease in grapes and blueberries, Castaño anticipates “good and stable volumes in grapes and blueberries” and an increase in citrus.

Varietal replacement with a focus on planting the newer, “best varieties” in blueberries and grapes should help strengthen supplies in the long term, Castaño explained.

But the big story at the ASOEX booth was the “huge increase in cherries.”

“The cherry season is very good in terms of quality and volume,” said Claudia Soler B., executive director, Chilean Cherry Committee.

Chilean cherries experienced 98% growth from last year and are on track for at least 25% growth this year, said Soler B., who added, “We don’t want to develop too quickly.”

As 90% of cherries in the U.S. market are grown in the U.S., Soler B. says Chile is focused on showing the U.S. market that Chilean cherries are available in the winter months.

Chile is expecting a longer cherry season and will start promoting in the U.S. at the end of December through the end of February, which is National Cherry Month.

The association has big plans for Chilean cherries in the U.S. market this winter.

“It’s our biggest promotional budget,” said Karen Brux, managing director North America, Chilean Fresh Fruit Association.

Social media, including a TikTok campaign in mid- to late November; U.S. radio; influencers talking merchandising; and in-store bins are all part of the program.

“We’re trying to bring Chile to the U.S.,” Brux said.

Fresh Farms

While Fresh Farms is well known as a grower-shipper of vegetables from Mexico, the company wanted to do something different for the IFPA Show — something to stand out from the crowd and gain attention for its Cotton Candy and other Candy grapes, said Fresh Farms’ Raul Carbajal.

“When you look at our booth, you see you get so much out doing something different,” said Carbajal, who happily spun green cotton candy at Fresh Farms’ pastel-colored booth.

The cotton candy wasn’t just for show. It drew in attendees, whose attention then turned to Cotton Candy, Candy Dreams, Candy Hearts, and Candy Snaps! grapes from Fresh Farms.

When it comes to drawing this kind of attention in-store, there are other challenges.

“One of the challenges is retail space,” David Watson said. “Stores have to be willing to use the space for these varieties. We’re focusing on category management to help them learn how to sell candy grapes.”