Chicago-area fruit and vegetable shippers expect strong holiday sales

Chicago-area produce distributors generally enjoyed strong sales for the Thanksgiving holiday, and they’re hoping for more of the same for Christmas.

“Business for us has really been tremendous this year,” said Josh Wolff, director of growth and strategy for The Ruby Co., Buffalo Grove, Ill.

Historically, the company’s business has largely been built on potatoes and onions — “hearty commodity offerings utilized across more segments and commercial purchasers,” Wolff said. Sweet potatoes have been a particularly strong growth area.

Ruby has also continued to expand operations and focus on other fresh commodity categories, such as warm vegetables, including tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers, he said.

Business also is up over last year for Coosemans Chicago Inc., said company President Mark Pappas. Sales would have passed pre-COVID-19 numbers, except that 133 Chicago restaurants did not reopen after the peak of the pandemic, he said, putting a dent in foodservice sales.

Thanksgiving business was “very steady, but not the bump I thought we would see,” he said. Christmas sales also should be “steady,” but he pointed out that consumers also have holiday presents to buy during these times of high inflation.

“I’m sure we’ll still do well,” he said. “I hope to get back to where we’re on a growth pattern shortly.”

Berries may be synonymous with summer, but they’re also a holiday favorite at Sun Belle Inc., Schiller Park, Ill., said Janice Honigberg, president and founder.

“People really are looking for berries during the cold winter months,” she said. 

January is a great time to promote berries, when people start thinking about healthful eating, she added. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and some strawberries account for the vast majority of the firm’s business, but Sun Belle also offers some specialties like ginger, Belgian endive and radicchio.

Flamm Orchard Sales Inc., Cobden, Ill., which offers primarily peaches, apples and some local strawberries, is now between seasons, said Mike Flamm, an owner and vice president.

But the company will add some new apple varieties, like EverCrisp, gala and fuji, in the spring. Barnsby Pink Lady and Ambrosia apples are under consideration for coming years.

“I think we’ve got some varieties figured out that we feel like we can grow,” Flamm said.

Flamm Orchard Sales has doubled its peach acreage to 300 over the past eight years. The firm has scaled back its production of zucchini, yellow squash and cucumbers because of tough markets, he said.

All Chicago companies were feeling the pressure of price increases for everything from transportation and labor to fertilizer and chemicals. At the same time, consumers are tightening their belts, and some are cutting back on fruit purchases, Honigberg said.

“It definitely can affect us,” she said. “It’s been a very competitive market over the last month or two particularly.”

Every component of fresh produce has gone up double digits year-over-year, Wolff said.

“We are seeing volume in certain areas start to taper off or slow, especially in the foodservice sector due to inflation rates,” he said. “They are out of control with no end in sight, unfortunately.”

Consumer efforts to control inflation “are going to be a headwind for us as a supplier moving forward,” he said.

Still, Wolff remained optimistic. “Thanksgiving was bustling for us, and we anticipate a similar track for us for Christmas.”