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Argentine citrus exports experienced significant growth in the first quarter of 2026, according to the country’s Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries. Lemons spearheaded the surge, with volumes rising 76 percent and export value soaring 129 percent to $26 million.
Total citrus shipments reached 50,085 tons—a 50 percent increase in volume. Total export value hit $108 million, marking a 36 percent year-on-year rise, according to data from the Undersecretariats of Agri-Food Markets and Regional Economies of Argentina.
Lemons are currently in peak season, whereas the orange harvest is not expected to start until late July.
Despite adverse weather, the season is benefiting from strong demand in the Northern Hemisphere.
Shipments of white dragon fruit are starting to pick up.
“There was a small gap in fruit from Ecuador for about two weeks and that caused prices to go up,” says Alan Goldberg of A&B Tropical Produce, Miami, FL. “However, now that there is more fruit coming in this week, prices should be back into the high teens. They had been in the low to mid $20s for that short gap.”
The volume coming in from Ecuador is similar to this time last year and both fruit sizing and quality have been average.
Meanwhile, Florida will begin its production of dragon fruit soon and its season usually goes three to four months. “The Florida season is looking good. The growing conditions have been favorable for the most part, so we may have some earlier than usual dragon fruit production,” says Goldberg, noting that it will continue to ship Ecuadorian white dragon fruit along with fruit from Florida. “That’s because Florida doesn’t put out the kind of production that comes in from offshore. If anything, it just puts a bit of pricing pressure on Ecuador.”
Also given the fact that fuel rates always come into play with pricing on products that are imported–and fuel rates continue to increase–that could put even more pricing pressure on Ecuador.
As for the demand for dragon fruit, it is average though there are hopes that it will strengthen given the warmer weather that is coming on across the country.
California walnut shipments continue as a new season approaches with good volume expected.
Carriere Family Farms of Glenn, CA relates inventories are low, but overall movement continues. Currently, most inshell walnuts from California have been sold, which is good since Chile has entered the market selling primarily inshell walnuts.
California’s storage levels have been depleted, which is good. However there are still walnut kernels still in inventory, with decent movement. The company expects to have less than 100,000 tons of product left in inventory going into new crop. Part of this volume is most likely committed already.
The outlook for the 2026 harvest is a big crop, which is concerning to growers experiencing greater supply than demand.
This has resulted in the past few years, more trees being taken out, with acreage decliningfrom more than 400,000 to about 376,000 producing acres today. Despite the smaller acreage, 2025 saw the 2nd largest crop ever, amounting to about 810,000 tons.
While there is another big crop on the trees, the final crop size will depend on how summer develops. Carriere is hopeful for slightly lower volume compared to 2025. A crop of about 750,000 to 775,000 tons would be manageable, but total acreage needs to continue to drop for the industry to become profitable again.
Researchers investigated whether consuming one avocado per day for six months could affect cognitive function in adults with central obesity.
The study was conducted as an ancillary project of the multicenter Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial (HAT), which examined the effects of avocado consumption on visceral adiposity. Cognitive outcomes were assessed among participants at the Loma Linda University study center.
A total of 251 participants with elevated waist circumference were randomly assigned either to consume one avocado per day (AVO) or avoid avocado consumption (CON) for six months. No additional dietary guidance was provided. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and after the intervention period, including measures of memory, processing speed, executive function, simple reaction time, and working memory reaction time.
A total of 241 participants completed the trial. Participants were 69.7% female and 53.1% white, with a mean body mass index of 33.4 ± 5.7. Ages ranged from 25 to 84 years, with a mean age of 49.6 ± 13.3 years.
The results showed that working memory reaction time improved over the six-month period for all participants. However, researchers found no differences between the avocado and control groups across any of the cognitive domains measured.
The study also found no interaction between age and the intervention. Two-way interactions involving age and time, as well as the three-way interaction between age, time, and intervention group, were not statistically significant.
Researchers noted that avocados contain fiber, carotenoids, antioxidants, polyphenols, and monounsaturated fat, nutrients that have previously been associated with cognitive health.
However, the findings indicate that consuming one avocado per day for six months, without additional lifestyle modifications, did not alter cognitive function in adults with central obesity across the age groups included in the study.
The researchers concluded that further work is needed to determine whether avocados may contribute to healthy cognitive aging when incorporated into broader dietary strategies, particularly among normal-weight individuals and metabolically vulnerable populations.
Chilean kiwifruit exports have shot up 16 percent this season, including product destined for the United States. Meanwhile, a full crop of avocados for exports is being reported from Chile.
The South American country has been struggling since 2012 when disease issues crippled the kiwi industry.
The Chilean Kiwifruit Committee reveals favorable growing and harvest conditions helped the industry achieve one of its key objectives: securing maturity across producing regions.
Growers delayed harvests a few days to increase yields and improve maturity. Favorable fall weather, including the absence of significant frosts and limited rainfall disruption, supported harvest operations.
Despite high quality across production areas, some growers reported a higher share of smaller fruit, due to a longer flowering period, which often leads to uneven fruit development.
The committee reports US demand has returned to historical levels after buyers adopted a more cautious approach in 2025 amid tariff uncertainty. European imports of Chilean kiwis have also increased, supported by lower availability of Greek fruit and quality challenges reported in that market.
Demand remains steady across Latin America, particularly in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina. Meanwhile, India continues to emerge as one of the most important growth markets for Chilean kiwifruit exports.
Avocado Exports
New Zealand is gearing up for a bumper crop of 7.8 million trays for the current 2026/27 season. But this larger-than-usual crop is also set to bring one of the largest export campaigns the sector has seen in recent years, with 4.8 million trays destined for international markets, according to local news outlet SunLive.
New Zealand Avocado reports estimates remain uncertain and are still subject to crop load, harvest timing, fruit quality and changing market conditions. However, if forecasts hold, shipments would approach record volumes set by the industry in 2021.
As a result, the industry has expanded its export plans, and with pack-out rates projected to rise up to 60 percent, the local market might see lower volumes than last year.
Idaho potato shipments for the current season are expected to continue through the middle of August, according to Pleasant Valley Potato of Aberdeen, ID.
Volume is trending down, which is typical for this late in the season.
Shipments of the new crop for the 2026-27 season is not expected to have any significant volume until after Labor Day.
The earliest potatoes are expected from the Western side of the state but the real Idaho volume isn’t expected until the last week of August or until possibly after Labor Day.
Whether a gap in shipping will occur between the old and new crops is a bit up in the air. However, if one occurs it should not be significant.
Meanwhile, growers and shippers in the state are also anticipating the acreage report for the 2026-2027 season that is coming soon, though it’s widely expected acreage will be down for the season.
QDC Fresh, Inc. of Tracy, CA announces the launch of its exclusive Australian citrus program, featuring premium Cara Cara oranges, Navel Oranges, Mandarins, and true Blood Oranges.
Through an exclusive partnership with an industry-leading Australian grower, QDC Fresh will be first to market in 2026 with Australian Cara Cara and Navel oranges into the United States. Fruit has already been harvested and is currently en route to the U.S., with the first arrival scheduled for mid-July.
Known for its exceptional eating quality, Australian citrus delivers a flavor profile and sweetness comparable to premium California-grown citrus. The program’s Cara Cara and Navel oranges are expected to arrive with impressive brix levels ranging from 13.5–15, offering consumers a dynamically flavorful and juicy eating experience.
The company’s Australian citrus program also includes sweet, seedless Mandarins, known for their easy-peel skin and perfect for everyday snacking; and true Blood Oranges, distinguished by their striking deep red flesh and sweet, berry-like flavor profile.
The grower has spent decades perfecting their growing methods, taking advantage of cool river nights that drive dramatic diurnal temperature swings, allowing the fruit to develop high sugar levels while maintaining excellent acidity and balance. The result is citrus with exceptional eating quality, providing a unique and visually appealing option for retailers seeking to differentiate their citrus category.
The launch comes on the heels of QDC Fresh’s recent expansion into Los Angeles, where the company has added bagging capabilities to support a comprehensive citrus offering, making it the only Australian citrus importer in the U.S. with its own bagging machine. In addition to bulk fruit, QDC Fresh will offer a branded bagged citrus program designed to help retailers capitalize on consumer demand and drive incremental sales.
About QDC Fresh, Inc.
QDC Fresh, Inc. is a farm-direct distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables serving retail customers across North and South America, headquartered in Tracy, CA. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and customer partnership, QDC Fresh, Inc. delivers reliable supply chain solutions and value-added programs designed to help retailers grow sales and meet evolving consumer demand.
Good volume with tropical and exotic crops from Florida are being predicted with shipments getting started later this month.
Exotic Growers Inc. of Homestead, FL notes loadings were delayed this season. Normally longan picking would begin in early June but this year, it won’t start until the end of July. While the season on exotic tropicals will finish in September, shipping beyond that will be guavas, avocados, mangoes, sugarcane, coconuts and other conventional tropical items.
This follows the difficult winter the state saw with two back to back freezes earlier this year that were about 10 days apart. A freeze results in the trees having more flowers with items such as longans, lychees, sapodillo, star fruit but also more conventional tropicals such as avocados and mangoes. However, the company lost its passion fruit crop, which it has since replanted.
The Mexican table grape season is pretty much finished, and attention has quickly shifted to California, where growers are preparing for one of the earliest harvests in recent years.
Mirabella Farms reports California vineyards are running approximately 14 to 16 days ahead of last season. The harvest in the Arvin district got underway the last week of June. Most grower-shippers throughout the San Joaquin Valley were harvesting by the final week of June.
Industry estimates currently place the California table grape crop at approximately 96 million boxes. Early indications point to a strong season, with excellent fruit quality and favorable growing conditions throughout the region.
Looking further ahead, weather remains the largest variable for the latter part of the season. Growers are closely monitoring forecasts associated with a potential El Niño weather pattern, which could influence grape-producing regions throughout California and South America.
Watermelon shipments have been unsettled because of lighter yields leading up to the Fourth of July, thanks to unfavorable weather conditions. However, more but normal shipments with better weather are now expected, according to Riverbend Fresh LLC of Kerman, CA.
That abnormal weather is tracing back to the warm spring that produced a mixed set of melons. The desert had poor yields and product came on early, resulting in mixed quality. Then Bakersfield, CA started with light volume.
Looking ahead, more normal production is anticipated for mid to late July. Last year there was overproduction. This year Riverbend anticipates it to be back to normal with more of a reasonable market.
Argentine citrus exports experienced significant growth in the first quarter of 2026, according to the country’s Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries. Lemons spearheaded the surge, with volumes rising 76 percent and export value soaring 129 percent to $26 million.
Total citrus shipments reached 50,085 tons—a 50 percent increase in volume. Total export value hit $108 million, marking a 36 percent year-on-year rise, according to data from the Undersecretariats of Agri-Food Markets and Regional Economies of Argentina.
Lemons are currently in peak season, whereas the orange harvest is not expected to start until late July.
Despite adverse weather, the season is benefiting from strong demand in the Northern Hemisphere.
Shipments of white dragon fruit are starting to pick up.
“There was a small gap in fruit from Ecuador for about two weeks and that caused prices to go up,” says Alan Goldberg of A&B Tropical Produce, Miami, FL. “However, now that there is more fruit coming in this week, prices should be back into the high teens. They had been in the low to mid $20s for that short gap.”
The volume coming in from Ecuador is similar to this time last year and both fruit sizing and quality have been average.
Meanwhile, Florida will begin its production of dragon fruit soon and its season usually goes three to four months. “The Florida season is looking good. The growing conditions have been favorable for the most part, so we may have some earlier than usual dragon fruit production,” says Goldberg, noting that it will continue to ship Ecuadorian white dragon fruit along with fruit from Florida. “That’s because Florida doesn’t put out the kind of production that comes in from offshore. If anything, it just puts a bit of pricing pressure on Ecuador.”
Also given the fact that fuel rates always come into play with pricing on products that are imported–and fuel rates continue to increase–that could put even more pricing pressure on Ecuador.
As for the demand for dragon fruit, it is average though there are hopes that it will strengthen given the warmer weather that is coming on across the country.
California walnut shipments continue as a new season approaches with good volume expected.
Carriere Family Farms of Glenn, CA relates inventories are low, but overall movement continues. Currently, most inshell walnuts from California have been sold, which is good since Chile has entered the market selling primarily inshell walnuts.
California’s storage levels have been depleted, which is good. However there are still walnut kernels still in inventory, with decent movement. The company expects to have less than 100,000 tons of product left in inventory going into new crop. Part of this volume is most likely committed already.
The outlook for the 2026 harvest is a big crop, which is concerning to growers experiencing greater supply than demand.
This has resulted in the past few years, more trees being taken out, with acreage decliningfrom more than 400,000 to about 376,000 producing acres today. Despite the smaller acreage, 2025 saw the 2nd largest crop ever, amounting to about 810,000 tons.
While there is another big crop on the trees, the final crop size will depend on how summer develops. Carriere is hopeful for slightly lower volume compared to 2025. A crop of about 750,000 to 775,000 tons would be manageable, but total acreage needs to continue to drop for the industry to become profitable again.
Researchers investigated whether consuming one avocado per day for six months could affect cognitive function in adults with central obesity.
The study was conducted as an ancillary project of the multicenter Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial (HAT), which examined the effects of avocado consumption on visceral adiposity. Cognitive outcomes were assessed among participants at the Loma Linda University study center.
A total of 251 participants with elevated waist circumference were randomly assigned either to consume one avocado per day (AVO) or avoid avocado consumption (CON) for six months. No additional dietary guidance was provided. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and after the intervention period, including measures of memory, processing speed, executive function, simple reaction time, and working memory reaction time.
A total of 241 participants completed the trial. Participants were 69.7% female and 53.1% white, with a mean body mass index of 33.4 ± 5.7. Ages ranged from 25 to 84 years, with a mean age of 49.6 ± 13.3 years.
The results showed that working memory reaction time improved over the six-month period for all participants. However, researchers found no differences between the avocado and control groups across any of the cognitive domains measured.
The study also found no interaction between age and the intervention. Two-way interactions involving age and time, as well as the three-way interaction between age, time, and intervention group, were not statistically significant.
Researchers noted that avocados contain fiber, carotenoids, antioxidants, polyphenols, and monounsaturated fat, nutrients that have previously been associated with cognitive health.
However, the findings indicate that consuming one avocado per day for six months, without additional lifestyle modifications, did not alter cognitive function in adults with central obesity across the age groups included in the study.
The researchers concluded that further work is needed to determine whether avocados may contribute to healthy cognitive aging when incorporated into broader dietary strategies, particularly among normal-weight individuals and metabolically vulnerable populations.
Chilean kiwifruit exports have shot up 16 percent this season, including product destined for the United States. Meanwhile, a full crop of avocados for exports is being reported from Chile.
The South American country has been struggling since 2012 when disease issues crippled the kiwi industry.
The Chilean Kiwifruit Committee reveals favorable growing and harvest conditions helped the industry achieve one of its key objectives: securing maturity across producing regions.
Growers delayed harvests a few days to increase yields and improve maturity. Favorable fall weather, including the absence of significant frosts and limited rainfall disruption, supported harvest operations.
Despite high quality across production areas, some growers reported a higher share of smaller fruit, due to a longer flowering period, which often leads to uneven fruit development.
The committee reports US demand has returned to historical levels after buyers adopted a more cautious approach in 2025 amid tariff uncertainty. European imports of Chilean kiwis have also increased, supported by lower availability of Greek fruit and quality challenges reported in that market.
Demand remains steady across Latin America, particularly in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina. Meanwhile, India continues to emerge as one of the most important growth markets for Chilean kiwifruit exports.
Avocado Exports
New Zealand is gearing up for a bumper crop of 7.8 million trays for the current 2026/27 season. But this larger-than-usual crop is also set to bring one of the largest export campaigns the sector has seen in recent years, with 4.8 million trays destined for international markets, according to local news outlet SunLive.
New Zealand Avocado reports estimates remain uncertain and are still subject to crop load, harvest timing, fruit quality and changing market conditions. However, if forecasts hold, shipments would approach record volumes set by the industry in 2021.
As a result, the industry has expanded its export plans, and with pack-out rates projected to rise up to 60 percent, the local market might see lower volumes than last year.
Idaho potato shipments for the current season are expected to continue through the middle of August, according to Pleasant Valley Potato of Aberdeen, ID.
Volume is trending down, which is typical for this late in the season.
Shipments of the new crop for the 2026-27 season is not expected to have any significant volume until after Labor Day.
The earliest potatoes are expected from the Western side of the state but the real Idaho volume isn’t expected until the last week of August or until possibly after Labor Day.
Whether a gap in shipping will occur between the old and new crops is a bit up in the air. However, if one occurs it should not be significant.
Meanwhile, growers and shippers in the state are also anticipating the acreage report for the 2026-2027 season that is coming soon, though it’s widely expected acreage will be down for the season.
QDC Fresh, Inc. of Tracy, CA announces the launch of its exclusive Australian citrus program, featuring premium Cara Cara oranges, Navel Oranges, Mandarins, and true Blood Oranges.
Through an exclusive partnership with an industry-leading Australian grower, QDC Fresh will be first to market in 2026 with Australian Cara Cara and Navel oranges into the United States. Fruit has already been harvested and is currently en route to the U.S., with the first arrival scheduled for mid-July.
Known for its exceptional eating quality, Australian citrus delivers a flavor profile and sweetness comparable to premium California-grown citrus. The program’s Cara Cara and Navel oranges are expected to arrive with impressive brix levels ranging from 13.5–15, offering consumers a dynamically flavorful and juicy eating experience.
The company’s Australian citrus program also includes sweet, seedless Mandarins, known for their easy-peel skin and perfect for everyday snacking; and true Blood Oranges, distinguished by their striking deep red flesh and sweet, berry-like flavor profile.
The grower has spent decades perfecting their growing methods, taking advantage of cool river nights that drive dramatic diurnal temperature swings, allowing the fruit to develop high sugar levels while maintaining excellent acidity and balance. The result is citrus with exceptional eating quality, providing a unique and visually appealing option for retailers seeking to differentiate their citrus category.
The launch comes on the heels of QDC Fresh’s recent expansion into Los Angeles, where the company has added bagging capabilities to support a comprehensive citrus offering, making it the only Australian citrus importer in the U.S. with its own bagging machine. In addition to bulk fruit, QDC Fresh will offer a branded bagged citrus program designed to help retailers capitalize on consumer demand and drive incremental sales.
About QDC Fresh, Inc.
QDC Fresh, Inc. is a farm-direct distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables serving retail customers across North and South America, headquartered in Tracy, CA. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and customer partnership, QDC Fresh, Inc. delivers reliable supply chain solutions and value-added programs designed to help retailers grow sales and meet evolving consumer demand.
Good volume with tropical and exotic crops from Florida are being predicted with shipments getting started later this month.
Exotic Growers Inc. of Homestead, FL notes loadings were delayed this season. Normally longan picking would begin in early June but this year, it won’t start until the end of July. While the season on exotic tropicals will finish in September, shipping beyond that will be guavas, avocados, mangoes, sugarcane, coconuts and other conventional tropical items.
This follows the difficult winter the state saw with two back to back freezes earlier this year that were about 10 days apart. A freeze results in the trees having more flowers with items such as longans, lychees, sapodillo, star fruit but also more conventional tropicals such as avocados and mangoes. However, the company lost its passion fruit crop, which it has since replanted.
The Mexican table grape season is pretty much finished, and attention has quickly shifted to California, where growers are preparing for one of the earliest harvests in recent years.
Mirabella Farms reports California vineyards are running approximately 14 to 16 days ahead of last season. The harvest in the Arvin district got underway the last week of June. Most grower-shippers throughout the San Joaquin Valley were harvesting by the final week of June.
Industry estimates currently place the California table grape crop at approximately 96 million boxes. Early indications point to a strong season, with excellent fruit quality and favorable growing conditions throughout the region.
Looking further ahead, weather remains the largest variable for the latter part of the season. Growers are closely monitoring forecasts associated with a potential El Niño weather pattern, which could influence grape-producing regions throughout California and South America.
Watermelon shipments have been unsettled because of lighter yields leading up to the Fourth of July, thanks to unfavorable weather conditions. However, more but normal shipments with better weather are now expected, according to Riverbend Fresh LLC of Kerman, CA.
That abnormal weather is tracing back to the warm spring that produced a mixed set of melons. The desert had poor yields and product came on early, resulting in mixed quality. Then Bakersfield, CA started with light volume.
Looking ahead, more normal production is anticipated for mid to late July. Last year there was overproduction. This year Riverbend anticipates it to be back to normal with more of a reasonable market.