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Peruvian asparagus is always reliable for Miami, Fla.-based Crystal Valley Foods.

Pompano Beach, Fla.-based Southern Specialties has handled Peruvian asparagus since 2001 and has year-round supply to offer customers, said Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development.

Los Angeles-based Progressive Produce has a year-round supply of Peruvian asparagus, but the company sees peak supply from July through February.

A new report from the Northwest Cherry Growers indicates the summer heatwave in the Northwest has caused an estimated 20% reduction in volume compared with earlier expectations.

By volume, U.S. imports of Peruvian asparagus in 2020 totaled 93,652 metric tons, up 2.6% compared with 91,266 metric tons in 2019 and up 7% from 2010.

Yakima, Wash.-based fifth-generation Superfresh Growers is the largest organic pear grower in the Northwest, said Cat Gipe-Stewart, communication manager for Superfresh Growers, Yakima, Wash.

Sage Fruit Co. pears are grown and harvested in the Yakima Valley, as well as parts of Oregon, said Chuck Sinks, president of sales and marketing for the Yakima, Wash.-based company.

Wenatchee, Wash.-based Starr Ranch Growers is optimistic about its 2021 pear crop.

Moving fresh asparagus from Peru to the U.S. is increasingly costly and challenging, and shipping the vegetable from importers’ warehouses to customers’ distribution centers in the U.S. isn’t a piece of cake.

For all marketers, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced more intensive marketing to consumers through social media and online platforms.