Logistics
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the importance of digital marketing, said Catherine Gipe-Stewart, communications manager for Domex Superfresh Growers, Yakima, Wash.
The cherry crop for Orondo, Wash.-based Auvil Fruit will be similar but possibly a little larger than a year ago, said Ray Norwood, director of sales and marketing for the company.
BC Tree Fruits had a beautiful cherry set this year with a heavy bloom, said Laurel Van Dam, director of media relations for the Kelowna, British Columbia-based company.
Catchweight bags are not going away, but Northwest cherry shippers say there is increasing demand from retailers for fixed weight packaging this year.
Truckload freight activity declined last month but April was still the second busiest month on record for shippers, freight brokers and motor carriers, said DAT Freight & Analytics.
North Carolina produce shipments dipped slightly from 2019, U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics reveal.
Catherine Gipe-Stewart, communications manager for Domex Superfresh Growers, Yakima, Wash., said multiple studies show single-bag cherry sales are over 70% impulse purchases.
Retailers can promote cherries by maintaining off shelf displays with fresh product in key high-traffic areas to maximize impulse purchases/sales, Harter of CMI said.
Overall cantaloupe and honeydew volume for Firebaugh, Calif.-based Westside Produce should be similar to recent years, said Garrett Patricio, president of the company.
For U.S. shoppers who read their sticker labels, they’ll start to notice their hass avocados are more likely from Peru rather than Mexico now through September.
The nutrition of the cantaloupe will take on new focus in social media promotion efforts of the California Cantaloupe Board.
California melon shipments have come under pressure in recent years, with lower trending volume reported in the past five years.
Medium and large companies grow Peruvian avocados year-round along the coastal regions of the long South American country, while small farms are nestled in the mountains.
Expanded melon output is expected this summer from Los Angeles-based Pacific Trellis Fruit/Dulcinea Farms, according to Josh Leichter, CEO.
While avocados have been around since before written history, the commercial export of the fruit to the U.S. is relatively new. Here’s a timeline of notable events in the U.S.-Peru avocado relationship.
Cool temperatures may delay the start of field-grown vine-ripened Arkansas tomatoes until about June 10-15.
Parma, Idaho-based Owyhee Produce expects stable onion volume compared with year-ago levels.
The 2021 Michigan apple crop could resemble the 2020 version, said Don Armock, president of Riveridge Produce Marketing Inc., Sparta, Mich.
President Joe Biden said on June 24 that the White House has struck a deal on what he called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework.
Each Mid-Atlantic state has a slogan and hashtag for its produce — a promotional technique more valuable than ever with more eyeballs online and on phones during the recent isolating year.
Big new cranes are coming to the Port of Oakland.
More tomatoes crossed the border at Nogales, Ariz., during the 2019-20 season than any other commodity, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Some distributors of West Mexico produce are more optimistic about a Joe Biden presidency than others, but no one seems dejected over the change in administrations.
Nogales, Ariz.-based Fresh Produce Association of the Americas has taken part in a COVID-19 testing event, is planning a series of webinars and has announced two promotions.
Tomato acreage will be up about 10% this season for Nogales, Ariz.-based Calavo Growers Inc. thanks to some added roma plantings, said Brian Bernauer, director of tomato sales and operations.
Ciruli Bros. LLC, Rio Rico, Ariz., has increased its plantings of cucumbers, green bell peppers and eggplant, said partner Chris Ciruli.
More tomatoes crossed the border at Nogales, Ariz., during the 2019-20 season than any other commodity, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Nogales, Ariz.-based Divine Flavor is excited about its Persian cucumber program, said Michael DuPuis, quality assurance and public relations coordinator.
‘Tis the season for the Allen Lund Co.
Take a look at the Mexican produce business updates from companies such as Calavo, Ciruli Bros., Fresh Farms and more.