Search - The Packer

Peruvian growers are expected to export 200 million pounds of avocados to the U.S. this year, according to the Peruvian Avocado Commission.

Xavier Equihua and the Washington, D.C.-based Peruvian Avocado Commission have earned a reputation for innovation when it comes to promoting avocados from Peru.

For years, avocado suppliers have been implementing ripening programs and encouraging retailers to offer fruit that shoppers can enjoy right away or within a couple of days.

Sales of bagged avocados seem to have taken off since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and suppliers of Peruvian fruit say there are a couple of reasons why.

The Northwest cherry harvest won’t reach last year’s 23 million 20-pound boxes in 2020, but there will be plenty of fruit for consumers in the U.S. and beyond, suppliers say.

Wenatchee, Wash.-based CMI Orchards has added new tools to its American Dream cherry program, said Danelle Huber, marketing specialist.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, video conferencing is the new thing with Yakima-based Northwest Cherry Growers, said B.J. Thurlby, president.

Vancouver, British Columbia-based The Oppenheimer Group is “renewing” orchards, said Jon Bailey, sales manager.

Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers LLC introduced a new Ultimate cherry line last season, said Brianna Shales, communications manager.

Mission Produce Inc., Oxnard, Calif., has shipped Peruvian hass avocados to South Korea for the first time.