The FPAA is putting more emphasis on social media this season as it continues its efforts to support members who provide the U.S. and Canada with a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables from Mexico.
It’s been nearly two years since the COVID-19 pandemic burst onto the scene, and produce distributors like those in Nogales, Ariz., embarked on what many likened to one long rollercoaster ride.
Arizona’s Santa Cruz County, which encompasses the city of Nogales and its assortment of produce houses, was one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
Pacific Organic Produce has locked in an exclusive deal with one of the most sophisticated packers and growers in Sonora, Mexico, said Delilah Romo, commodity manager for Sonoran citrus.
The Oppenheimer Group expects a great season this year for its Mexican winter pepper program, which already has begun out of Jalisco, said Aaron Quon, executive category director of greenhouse.
Rio Rico, Ariz.-based MAS Melons & Grapes LLC will conduct limited trials of a melon called orange candy starting in late February, said salesman Mikee Suarez.
Nogales, Ariz.-based Divine Flavor is excited about its Persian cucumber program, said Michael DuPuis, quality assurance and public relations coordinator.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The West Mexico winter produce deal hasn’t gotten off to a stellar start, but distributors are hopeful that the picture will brighten as the season progresses.
Vandervoet & Associates Inc. will have valencia oranges from northwest Mexico for the first time this year, starting with early varieties in January and then regular valencias in late winter/early spring.
Nogales, Ariz.-based MAS Melons & Grapes LLC recently absorbed the former Bay Area Produce Inc. of Rio Rico, Ariz., said Mike Suarez, salesman with MAS, a grower-shipper of melons, grapes and squash.
Nogales, Ariz.-based Vandervoet & Associates Inc. expects to have a full season of valencia oranges from West Mexico for the first time over the coming season, said Scott Vandervoet, partner.
There’s a new North American Free Trade Agreement, but “NAFTA 2.0” likely will not change the flow of fresh produce across the U.S.-Mexico border, suppliers say.
Mexico dealt with some of the problems that plagued colleagues in the states, encountering several rain events — including three hurricanes in a five-week period early in the fall planting season.
The Nogales, Ariz.-based Fresh Produce Association of the Americas has a number of local issues on its plate as the fall/winter west Mexico produce season gets underway.
Demand for cucumbers from west Mexico is heavy throughout the season, and distributors say they should have plenty of product to meet that demand this year.
F.o.b. prices were less than stellar, but quality was good and supplies plentiful as the west Mexico squash deal got underway. Many distributors got off to an earlier start than usual.
