What the produce industry would like to see under the new Trump administration

Washington apple crop update

Apples fight for shelf space in a packed produce department

Where does Washington's apple industry stand at the beginning of 2025? "The state's crop has demonstrated resilience despite the challenges posed by…

Cold temperatures across U.S. help winter squash demand

Unlike some commodities which are seeing softer demand due to the colder temperatures across the country, winter squash is seeing the opposite. "Cooler…

What the produce industry would like to see under the new Trump administration

Today, president-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States. So with a new administration in place, how is the…

Divine Flavor brings on new melons category manager

Divine Flavor, a produce distributor and grower based in Nogales, has added Jeremy Giovannetti to its sales team. Giovannetti will oversee category…

US closes borders to Spanish peppers

The US government has closed the border to Spanish peppers. The decision came unexpectedly and without warning. Coexphal, the Association of Fruit and…

Mexico and EU update trade deal to counter potential US tariffs under Trump administration

Mexico and the European Union have announced an updated Global Trade Agreement aimed at enhancing trade and investment between the two entities. This…

Andrés Rodríguez, Chile's agricultural attaché in the United States:

"We think this will be a very good season for Chilean fruit exports to the US"

"We think this will be a very good season for Chilean fruit exports to the US. The weather conditions in Chile have been good. In addition, there have been…

IFPA reacts to FDA prevention strategy

Preventing enteric viral outbreaks in fresh and frozen berries

In response to a newly released strategy by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) focused on preventing foodborne illnesses linked to fresh and…

USDA allocates $129.2 million to combat exotic fruit fly outbreaks and protect $14.8 billion industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is deploying emergency funding to counter the growing…

California wildfires threaten $275 billion in agricultural losses, impacting key crops near Los Angeles

The wildfires currently ravaging California, particularly around Los Angeles, have not only led to extensive economic repercussions but also pose a…

National Retail Report - Specialty Crops

Citrus and winter produce shine in this week's retail ads with 275,851 total promotions

A beautiful array of citrus was showcased this week as retailers focused on winter's bounty. Pummelos, clementines, dekopons, satsumas, Meyer lemons,…

USApple announces 2025 NextGen Apple Fellowship class

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) announces the newest members of its leadership development program, the NextGen Apple Fellowship. Seven fellows…

Brazil’s orange juice exports drop 19.7% despite 42.7% revenue surge

Brazil, recognized as the top global supplier of orange juice, is concluding its second successive harvest with a downturn in export volumes. The first half of…

Israel Sánchez Flores, of Frutopía Mx:

"We want to be a viable alternative for European consumers of aromatic herbs"

Europe's aromatic herbs market is constantly expanding and remains open to new sourcing options, driven by a demand for fresh, quality products of…

Jamaica invests $100 million in cold storage to boost food security and stabilize prices

Jamaica's agriculture sector is poised for advancement with the government's commitment to erect additional cold storage facilities across the island…

"Chilean cherries with large fruit specifications have emerged as the dominant choice in the market in recent years"

"Data shows a remarkable growth of 30-50% in Chilean cherries arriving at the Chinese market by sea this season. Larger sizes, particularly the 3J…

Wayne Mudge - Cape Five Exports

“As soon as we diversified towards the East our business took off”

"It's very competitive to win fruit from the growers. You have to be on your game all the time," says Wayne Mudge, right, CEO of Cape Five Exports, a…

Restrictions on production continue to impact Moroccan watermelon growers

The watermelon sector in Morocco continues to be impacted by water stress and the consequent restrictions on production. As in every season, confusion…

Stable potato volumes from Egypt despite lower yields

The Egyptian potato season is progressing with exports to Arab and African countries and will soon begin in a few days in Europe. According to…

Barbara Jodeau, Jérôme Pomes, BASF-Nunhems

"Our new Melvel melon is a good way to end the season"

BASF-Nunhems presented 5 new varieties at SIVAL this year. These new varieties include the Rapton leek, which "can be peeled more easily and more…

Spring onion season improving after slow end of 2024

It's been a rather volatile season for the spring onions from Egypt, says Amro Yassin of Egyptian produce exporter Stars of Export: "The spring onion…

Maarten van Damme, Dacomex:

"Onion market in limbo after large exports to Africa"

What will the onion market do? "Whoever knows may say," responds Maarten van Damme of Dacomex from Sint-Maartensdijk. "It is a typical January market,…

A wide range of fruits and vegetables at OP Tenute Zuccarella

A new producers' organization founded in southern Italy

As of January 1, 2025, the Italian producers' organization Tenute Zuccarella became fully active in the marketplace. "This achievement is the result of…

Isora García, of Pitaber:

"We have a program to control production peaks and bring promotional periods forward"

The pitaya season has come to an end in the Canary Islands with very positive results. "In order to avoid price fluctuations at times of peak…

Vietnamese durian exports hit by China's stricter standards, 170 tons recalled

Following the implementation of more stringent inspection standards by China, including the requirement for Auramine O testing, Vietnamese durian exporters…

India transforms from importer to exporter, shipping 135,877 tons of frozen fries in 2023-24

In 1992, Lamb Weston, an American processed food company, initiated the import of frozen French Fries (FF) into India, targeting star hotels. Canadian…

Frank van de Geijn, Fruitbewaring.nl:

“Some 50% of fruit cold stores must still be converted from synthetic to natural coolants”

"One of the major developments in fruit storage is switching from synthetic to natural coolants," says Frank van de Geijn of Fruit Bewaring & Advies.…