Georgia peach grower Robert Dickey III and Florida vegetable grower Charles Obern have been named 2019 Farmers of the Year by Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo.
Melons like it hot, but the lack of high temperatures in California’s Central Valley this spring will probably mean a later start than usual to the Westside cantaloupe, watermelon and honeydew season.
The Canadian Produce Marketing Association expressed its approval for the federal government’s investments that benefit the fresh fruit and vegetable industry.
Temperatures in California’s Central Valley dipped as low as 27 degrees recently, but no damage is expected and orange growers say the cold can lead to better flavor and fruit quality.
As a family-owned farm that grows more than 100 million melons a year, Martori Farms, Aguila, Ariz., has a varietal mix that can meet retailers’ needs for any season.
The dog days of summer arrived a bit early for shippers of California grapes and tree fruit, but strong quality and big volume leave the door open for ample promotion opportunities through August and September.
Although this season got off to a slower start than last year, Chile expects to ship a record 101,000 tons of mandarins to North America this year, a 32% increase from 2017.
Consistent supplies and an expected smooth transition between Western desert and Westside melon districts should set the stage for good promotion opportunities this year.
AgriTalk Host Chip Flory brings in Jim Wiesemeyer to cover news from Washington, Greg Henderson and Pamela Riemenschneider cover online produce shopping, and Rhonda Brooks previews Farm Journal's Yield Tour.
This will be the second season that Reedley, Calif.-based Dayka & Hackett will feature the Minion label for its Chilean easy peelers, said Tony Liberto, import citrus manager.