Category: Produce

Get the freshest updates on the fruits and vegetables sector, from farm practices to market trends. Our coverage includes insights on production, supply chains, and innovations shaping the future of fresh produce.

Higher mango export volumes expected first week of September

Despite forecasts of a decrease in both Mexican and Brazilian mango shipments this 2024 season, the latest mango crop report by the National Mango Board anticipates that overall mango volume shipments from week 35 (08/31/2024) to week 40 (10/05/2024) will be about 6% higher year over year (YOY).

Currently, the Keitt variety is the main mango being shipped to the United States market, making up 91% of exports. There is also a limited supply of Ataulfo/Honey, Kent, Mallika, and Manila Rosa. 

The total mango volume shipped on the week ending 08/24/2024 was approximately 2,730,024 boxes. 

From Mexico, volume shipped was approximately 2,730,024 boxes for a total of 83,565,924 boxes for the season. During the same week last year, volume shipped from Mexico was 2,642,961 boxes for a total of 88,848,359 boxes.

There were no shipments from Brazil this week for logistical reasons, for a total of 372,713 boxes for the season. During the same week last year, volume shipped from Brazil was 573,421 boxes for a total of 1,076,377 boxes. 

Mexican mango season began the second week of January and will run until the last week of October with a projection of approximately 90.1 million boxes. Last season’s main varieties were Tommy Atkins (34%), Ataulfo/Honey (27%), Kent (25%), Keitt (11%), and others (3%). 

Brazilian mango season began the first week of August and will run until the last week of December, with a projection of approximately 10 million boxes. Last season’s main varieties were: Tommy Atkins (81%), Kent (7%), Keitt (6%) and Others (6%). 

Mexican provinces, Jalisco, Nayarit, South Sinaloa and North Sinaloa, are currently harvesting and/or packing. Brazil is currently harvesting and/or packing.

The 2024 Mexican season is expected to be about 5% lower YOY, and the 2024 Brazilian season is expected to be about 19% lower YOY.



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Hydrofarm names Ushio Preferred Brand to expand partnership



helping growers with HID lights continuing to thrive

Hydrofarm, an independent manufacturer and distributor of branded hydroponics equipment and supplies for controlled environment agriculture, proudly announces an elevated partnership with Ushio America, active in semiconductor and lighting technologies, for the U.S. market. “As Ushio ascends to “Preferred Brand” status within Hydrofarm’s extensive portfolio of over 300 brands, this collaboration signals a new era of innovative lighting solutions for growers across the nation.”

Ushio’s High-Intensity Discharge (HID) technology has been behind some of Hydrofarm’s most successful products, including the Agrosun HPS DE lamp, one of the partnership’s top-selling items in 2023/2024. “This enhanced alliance with Hydrofarm strengthens the availability of both LED and HID technologies, solidifying our joint leadership in the horticultural industry.”

“Ushio’s reputation for innovation and quality aligns perfectly with Hydrofarm’s mission to equip growers with the best products in the industry,” said Mark Parker, Executive Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Hydrofarm. “While many growers embrace LED technology, we also see plenty of traditional growers thrive by leveraging HID grow lights. Advanced methods and applications, such as early re-lamping, hybrid checkerboarding and using HID for a specific cultivar of plants, are being adopted by cultivations of all types and sizes. This strategic partnership not only deepens our decade-long collaboration with Ushio, but also offers advanced HID technology to our vast network, ensuring our customers continue to maximize productivity in the CEA market.”

“We are thrilled to join forces with Hydrofarm as a Preferred Brand, expanding our reach and impact in the horticulture industry,” said Darek Gilczynski, Vice President of Specialty Lighting BU at Ushio America, Inc. “This partnership allows us to deliver our state-of-the-art HID lighting solutions to a broader audience of growers, empowering them to achieve extraordinary results with the most reliable and effective technology available.”

For more information:

Hydrofarm Holdings Group, Inc

Ushio America

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Mid-Ohio Food Collective opens smart farm in the Hilltop



In central Ohio, many families are struggling with food insecurity and hunger. The Mid-Ohio Farm is located right behind the station’s studios and provides produce to its neighbors in a food desert. On Tuesday, the Mid-Ohio Food Collective celebrated another urban farm with the grand opening of its seven-acre “smart farm” in the Hilltop neighborhood.

Experts say the best way to fight food insecurity and hunger isn’t just with food banks, but it’s important to strengthen the local food system. In the Hilltop, that means growing healthy crops in less space and educating the next generation of urban growers. This new “smart farm” will serve as an educational hub and demonstration space for high-tech growing techniques. It focuses on making every acre count by maximizing their space and putting as much of the food they grow into the market as possible.

Mid-Ohio Food Collective CEO Matt Habash said it will be a big teaching tool for the community. “This was a step for us to say where’s our food come from? How do we grow it? How can we educate people? How can we learn new techniques or ways of doing this?” Habash said. “So, it’s a whole new edu-farm, smart farm, kind of work. For us, it’s a way of giving back to the community.”

There’s a seed starting station and a demonstration kitchen. Habash said they want to excite people, particularly kids, about where their food comes from. He said they want to ultimately encourage them to get into careers in agriculture. “That’s a big part of this to us,” Habash said. “We all better be worried about how old our farmers are and, you know, where our food is going to come from in the future.”

Read more at: nbc4i.com

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Naturipe Farms celebrates peak raspberry harvest

Leading global berry producer, Naturipe Farms, announced today that this season’s crop is breaking company records. Coming from both Baja and Central Mexico, their proprietary conventional and organic varieties will be available in high quantities for raspberry lovers everywhere.

According to Fernando Aguiar, Director of Business Development at Naturipe Farms, after cultivating the raspberries for decades, this year’s crop has been some of its best, both in terms of yield and quality. 

According to the press release, the record volumes can be attributed to two things. First, Naturipe Farms has seen customer demand for raspberries rising, and as a response, has expanded its acreage in all growing areas. Secondly, Naturipe’s proprietary raspberry varieties are performing exceptionally well this season thanks to favorable environmental and growing factors. 

Naturipe Farms anticipates strong volumes of both conventional and organic raspberries through the end of the year. 

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Opinion: Spending stalemate snags USDA bill *Stabenow defends farm bill focus * Senate Rs, USDA spar over IRA

For the past three years, the Biden-Harris administration has pitted big farms against small farms, climate grants against farm spending, and now, Agriculture Secretary Vilsack is pitting the food industry against consumers. “It’s important and necessary, I think, for the federal government to be on the side of consumers,” Vilsack told Agri-Pulse recently. 

Who is on the side of farmers and ranchers? We need all sizes of farms and agriculture businesses to be successful in order to have a robust, safe agriculture system.

The agriculture industry in the United States feeds millions here at home and millions more around the globe. Without the companies providing necessary products like safe pesticides, fertilizers, and seeds, our agriculture economy would completely dry up. Without food companies packaging, storing, shipping, and selling agricultural products, we would be a food-insecure country. 

I enjoy the local farmers market just as much as anybody and I believe we should be supporting local food and farmers as much as possible. However, without our dynamic domestic and global supply chains, which rely on shelf-stable products, agriculture production at scale, and complex logistics, many of our global consumers are only three meals from severe hunger.

During the COVID pandemic, we were reminded just how important our food system is to ensure every American has access to safe and affordable food. Now that our agricultural system has been forgotten and taken advantage of, food prices are reaching all-time highs.

Burdensome regulations, bad energy policy, and a lack of effort to make new trade agreements have forced farmers like myself to expect the worst farm income in many of their lifetimes. Meanwhile, billions are being spent on slush money “climate grants” for nonprofits in D.C., and Chinese solar panels are being subsidized on good farmland.

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz support the removal of stepped-up basis, which would make it nearly impossible for young farmers to take over their operations. All of these policy actions could end the family farm’s existence as we know it today.

Farmers are on the verge of being forced out of agriculture while food prices are already at an all-time high. I believe this is directly caused by the Biden-Harris administration’s new regulations, not the food companies. Can our agricultural system take four more years of policies that do not put farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans first? 

During the Trump administration, taxes were lowered, multiple trade deals were signed, and burdensome regulations were cut. The Trump administration also passed a farm bill – on time. These policies meant farm income jumped to an all-time high, and rural economies were stronger – not weaker. 

There is plenty of room in our agriculture system for every size farm to be successful, and every part of the agriculture supply chain is critical to that success. The ability to live the American Dream of working hard, taking risks, and investing in our future needs to remain alive. It’s in the best interest of U.S. national security and global food security.

It’s time to put farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans first again.

Kip Tom served as the U.S. ambassador to the UN food and agriculture agencies under Donald Trump’s administration. He has been leading the Farmers and Ranchers for Trump Coalition.



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USDA updates guidance on verifying climate-friendly, antibiotic claims on animal product labels

USDA has tightened its guidance on validating animal-raising and environment-related claims on meat and poultry labeling in response to criticism that companies were making claims without backing them up.

The update encourages the use of third-party certification and greater documentation to substantiate some of these claims, such as “grass-fed,” “free-range,” “climate-friendly” and “raised using regenerative agriculture practices.” 

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service reviews the documentation submitted by companies for these claims. The labels can only be used on consumer products if approved by the agency. 

Animal welfare advocates criticized the new guidance, arguing it does not go far enough in ensuring the accuracy of these claims. 

“The USDA’s updated guidelines are largely meaningless in effecting real change,” Zack Strong, acting director and senior attorney for the Animal Welfare Institute’s Farmed Animal Program, said in a statement. 

He said FSIS must require rather than encourage third-party certification of animal welfare claims to protect against deceptive labeling and unfair competition. 

The Environmental Working Group, which petitioned the agency to prohibit misleading climate claims on beef, said the new guidance puts the burden on food companies to demonstrate that their claims “pass the smell test.” 

“Today’s announcement by the USDA is a shot across the bow to the food companies making climate claims on food,” said Scott Faber, EWG’s senior vice president for government affairs, in a statement. “If food companies are going to tell consumers that certain food items are better for the climate, companies had better be able to show us the receipts.” 

FSIS last updated this guidance in 2019 and reopened this process after receiving multiple requests. 

A 2022 study by the Antibiotic Resistance Action Center at George Washington University and Food ID found that a “substantial portion” of cattle marketed as raised without antibiotics actually had traces of these drugs. 

In 2023, FSIS partnered with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service to conduct its own sampling. It found that about 20% of tested cattle from the “raised without antibiotics” market contained residues of antibiotics. 

As a result of these studies and public comments, USDA’s latest guidance recommends producers claiming their meat comes from animals raised without antibiotics or no antibiotics at all, implement routine sampling and testing before slaughter, or obtain third-party certification that involves testing. 

Following the 2023 study, FSIS informed the establishments with cattle that tested positive for antibiotics, advised them to determine the root cause of how the antibiotics were introduced and implement corrective action. 

FSIS and ARS will publish a paper with the complete results of this study in the “near future,” according to a USDA press release. 

The agency may consider additional actions in the future to ensure products with antibiotic labels are being marketed accurately. These could include random sampling and rulemaking, according to the release. 

For more news, visit www.Agri-Pulse.com. 



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Sun World launches two new grape brands

Global variety developer Sun World announced two new table grape brands: Epic Crisp and Applause. The products were presented at the firm’s Mid-to Late-Season Table Grape Field Day on August 22 at their Center for Innovation in Wasco, California. 

These new brands enable producers, marketers, and retailers to increase sales by delivering retailers and consumers a high-quality, delicious, and consistent eating experience, the company said in a release.

The Sugrafiftyfour variety, marketed under the Applause brand, is a mid-season green seedless variety that brings “an unexpected twist with its sweet, tropical fruity flavor”. It offers a unique series of limited edition red, green, and black seedless grapes with different shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors.

As for Sugrafiftysix, marketed under the Epic Crisp brand, the green seedless variety will be available during the mid-season. It offers consumers “a serious crunch with every bite, bursting with sweet, juicy goodness”.

More than 250 grower licensees, retailers, and media partners joined Sun World International for their field day. The annual event brought together licensed growers, marketers, importers, retailers, and media partners from around the globe. 

“Sun World’s Field Day was a milestone in the company’s history as we introduced the Epic Crisp and Applause brands. It was a privilege to showcase these brands to over 250 of our partners from around the globe,” said Jen Sanchez, vice president of marketing at Sun World. “We are excited to see these brands grow in prominence in the coming years as production volumes increase worldwide.” 

Sun World shared a behind-the-scenes look at their commercial, semi-commercial, and pipeline grape varieties in commercial vineyards as well as at their test block at the Center for Innovation. 

“It was an honor to be part of the first audience to have exposure to the Epic Crisp and Applause branding at Sun World’s Field Day,” said Mecia Petersen, market development and communications manager at the South Africa Table Grape Industry. “Exciting developments are happening in the table grape space, and we look forward to seeing what’s next.”

The Field Day allowed licensed growers and marketers to see mid-to late-season varieties in a setting similar to what they would see in their vineyards, helping them make more informed decisions on their future plantings. Sun World also brought together ag tech and industry partners who shared their distinctive offerings with attendees.

In addition to exploring innovative varieties, attendees had the opportunity to witness Tortuga’s cutting-edge automated robots harvesting grapes in Sun World’s fields, a first-time experience for many. 

Additionally, Director of Global Marketing Insights at Sun World Elena Hernandez shared the early success of the global Autumncrisp marketing launch and retail partnerships. Hernandez also shared a sneak peek of retail partnerships this fall. 

“We know and love Autumncrisp grapes, and now it’s time for consumers to experience and savor them by name,” said Kyle Hackett, president of Dayka & Hackett. “Sun World’s Autumncrisp grape marketing campaign showcased how strong grower partnerships and a well-executed retail strategy can elevate an exceptional product from vineyard to the forefront of consumer demand.”

Related articles: Sun World CEO on Biogold acquisition: “There’s an appetite for more innovation in the produce section”



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Ottawa to limit low-wage temporary foreign workers in Canada



The federal government is moving to restrict the number of low-wage temporary foreign workers in Canada, with the exception of some sectors Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement on Monday in Halifax, where the Liberal cabinet is meeting for a summer retreat.

“We are tightening the rules and restricting eligibility to reduce the number of low-wage, temporary foreign workers in Canada, with exceptions in certain industries like health care, construction and food security,” Trudeau said.

Starting Sept. 26, the government will refuse applications for low-wage temporary foreign workers in regions with an unemployment rate of six percent or higher.

For employers, there will be a cap of 10 percent of employees coming from the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program and a reduction of maximum duration of employment from two years to one, according to the Employment and Social Development Canada. This comes after Quebec announced last week its own limits of low-wage temporary foreign workers — a six-month freeze in Montreal that will take effect next month.

Source: msn.com

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Current market activity for California table grapes in Asia

California’s table grape industry has rebounded from last year’s challenging weather, and as the season advances, grapes are already reaching Asian markets, including Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and South Korea, among others, offering high-quality fruit.

Exports are in full swing, and shipments are anticipated to reach their peak during this period of the season.

The state’s production is estimated to reach 94.4 million 19-pound boxes this season. Industry players have indicated to Freshfruitportal.com that the season will be good, with over 20 export market destinations. 

Marketing campaign

The California Table Grape Commission informed that an aggressive global campaign targeting 21 markets worldwide including eight in Asia is designed to motivate retailers to stock and shoppers to purchase California grapes through the fall and early winter. 

The Commission is highlighting California grapes as a healthy snack that complements everyday meals, holiday celebrations, and gift-giving. Marketing efforts are aligned with high-volume promotional periods in each market.

Campaign elements include in-store and digital promotions, shopper app promotions, social media advertising, and influencer outreach. 

“Each market represents a unique opportunity to promote California grapes in a culturally relevant and demand-driving fashion,” said Kathleen Nave, president of the California Table Grape Commission which funds the campaign. 

“The next few months will see high volumes shipped worldwide,” said Nave, adding that using the latest data available, seven of the eight target markets in Asia have already pulled more fruit in 2024 than in 2023. 

Related article: Strong consumption maintains a dynamic table grape season in California



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Peru’s agricultural exports set to exceed $11.5B by year-end

In this installment of the ‘Agronometrics In Charts’ series, we study the growth of Peru’s agricultural exports. Each week the series looks at a different horticultural commodity, focusing on a specific origin or topic visualizing the market factors that are driving change.

Peru’s agricultural sector showcased remarkable resilience and growth in 2023, achieving a record $10.545 billion in exports, marking a 2.9% increase compared to the previous year, despite facing significant global challenges. According to the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri), this positive trend is expected to continue, with projections indicating that agricultural exports will surpass $11.5 billion by the end of 2024.

Over the past 23 years, Peru’s agricultural exports have consistently expanded, with an impressive average annual growth rate of 11.9%, reflecting the dedication and efficiency of Peruvian producers and exporters, bolstered by strategic government support.

The success of Peru’s agro-export industry is largely attributed to a diverse portfolio of products, with 20 key items contributing to 74.6% of the total export value. Notably, grapes, blueberries, and avocados have emerged as the top performers, each generating or nearing $1 billion in annual export revenue.

Grapes led the way with $1.745 billion in exports, primarily shipped to the United States, the European Union, and Asian markets, representing a 28% increase from 2022.

Blueberries followed closely, with exports totaling $1.676 billion, driven by strong demand in the U.S., which accounted for 57% of shipments. Avocados, the third-largest export, brought in $963 million, with the European Union as the largest buyer, followed by the U.S. and various Latin American and Asian countries.

This robust performance underscores the strength and potential of Peru’s agricultural sector, which, supported by continued innovation and diversification, is well-positioned to maintain its upward trajectory and expand its presence in global markets in 2024 and beyond.

Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics.
(Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here)
 

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