Posts Tagged “feature”
Mixed berry yields are tightening throughout the industry. Blueberry demand outpaces available supplies. Blackberry and raspberry volume is average, but quality is generally good, with minimal defects despite recent heat, according to an April 2 press release from Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Blueberries
- Prices are elevated
- The Chilean and Peruvian seasons have ended; import shipments have officially concluded
- Mexican-grown supplies are meeting current demands
- The Florida/Georgia growing region is set to begin production next week on a limited basis
- Stocks will remain snug through April, then increase once California’s San Joaquin Valley season starts in early May
Blackberries/Raspberries
- Markets are up
- Harvesting is past its seasonal peak in Central Mexico; labor challenges are also impacting overall availability
- Limited production has begun in Baja, Mexico
- Expect tight stocks through March; volume will start to increase in April
Strawberries
California’s key growing regions—Santa Maria, Oxnard, Salinas, and Watsonville—are benefiting from clear forecasts and ideal growing conditions. Quality is improving across all districts. Pricing is beginning to trend downward as supplies increase.
Santa Maria, California
- Markon First Crop (MFC) Strawberries are available
- Berry size is medium; counts have gotten smaller, averaging 18 to 22 pieces per 1-pound clamshell
- Quality is good; issues include bruising and white shoulders
- Prices will inch down as weather conditions improve
- Oxnard, California
- MFC Strawberries are available
- Berry size is medium; counts have gotten smaller, averaging 18 to 22 pieces per 1-pound clamshell
- Defects are minimal; growers report some white shoulders and packing-related bruising
- Markets will ease as weather conditions improve
- Watsonville/Salinas
- Berry size is large; counts range from 10-15 berries per 1-pound clamshell
- Volume is increasing daily
- Most of the damaged fruit has been culled
- Prices will begin to decrease as weather conditions improve
With the Southern Hemisphere’s prune harvest now complete, Sunsweet Growers forecasts a six percent tightening in global supply for the 2025/26 season, totaling 193,000 metric tons. This shortfall is set to stabilize prices and protect profit margins, especially for the coveted larger, premium fruit.
The estimate marks the third year of a smaller production trend, sitting 10 percent below the 2023/24 crop.
The company reports that Chile, the leading producer and exporter of dried plums, has produced an average-sized crop of approximately 75,000 metric tons of marketable fruit.
However, this is not enough to balance out the unexpectedly small harvests from Argentina and California.
Argentina’s prune production has declined again due to reduced planted area and adverse weather, including frost, Zonda winds, and hail. The company estimates the current harvest at 15,000 metric tons, similar to the 2024/2025 harvest. Last year, producers harvested less than half of the projected 32,000 tons.
Further north, California harvested a smaller crop in August 2025 compared to the previous two years, with an estimated output of 64,000 metric tons. The decrease, the company said, is the result of accumulated stress from the prior year.
On a brighter note, Sunsweet Growers emphasized that California’s fruit quality is exceptional, with high sugar content and excellent size.
As total production is expected to fall short by about 12,000 metric tons, consumption remains steady. According to the company, the trend toward healthier snacking continues to support strong demand for prunes. But that’s not necessarily a good thing, as supply-demand imbalance is expected to increase costs, particularly as carryover inventories are projected to reach historic lows.
The California pistachio industry’s volume is expected to slow over the next five years, while farmgate value is expected to increase, Rabobank’s market insights branch, RaboResearch, reports.
According to the financial entity, the industry is entering a mature phase, with bearing acreage growth expected to level off by 2030. As output declines, prices are projected to increase, which forecasts say will push the industry over the $3 million valuation this season.
According to RaboResearch, the average annual California pistachio output will remain below two billion pounds this season, and production in the next five years will track under that threshold.
The 2025/26 season is projected to reach 1.6 billion pounds, a 40 percent year-over-year increase, though still below the initial 1.8 billion-pound industry estimate.
For 2026/27, the report projects a more conservative output range between 970 million and 1.23 billion pounds.
This season’s California pistachio projected outcome contrasts with the 2020/21 and 2022/23 seasons, when supply exceeded consumption and pricing suffered.
April 13th has been set as the official pack date for the 2026 Vidalia onion season, marking the day growers can begin packing and shipping the world-famous sweet onions to retailers across the country.
“For the 2026 season, growers planted approximately 10,200 acres of Vidalia onions across the production region,” said Omar Cruz, Chairman of the Vidalia Onion Committee. “Our farmers work year-round to grow and harvest a crop that meets the high standards consumers expect from the Vidalia name. We are excited to bring another outstanding crop to market.”
Vidalia onion growers rely on generations of agricultural knowledge combined with modern growing practices to produce the crop. Onions are carefully planted, harvested, and cured before being packed and shipped to grocery stores nationwide.
The Vidalia Onion Act of 1986 established the official growing region and legally protected the “Vidalia” name, ensuring that only onions grown in this specific area of Georgia can be marketed as Vidalia onions.
Vidalia onions are grown exclusively in a 20-county production region in South Georgia, where the area’s unique soil composition and mild climate create the ideal environment for developing the onions’ signature sweet flavor.
The official pack date is carefully determined each year after close monitoring of weather patterns, soil conditions, and crop maturity to ensure that only onions meeting the industry’s strict quality standards reach the market.
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Mexico is the leading supplier of fresh berries and this trend is expected to continue in 2026 as the USDA predicts in a March report, an increase in production of four percent.
Mexico’s total shipments of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries will reach approximately 1.2 million metric tons this year.
This steady growth reflects a broader transformation within Mexico’s berry industry. Producers are investing in improved plant varieties, adopting modern cultivation techniques, and refining harvest schedules to better align with high-demand periods in international markets.
At the center of this expansion are key producing states, including Baja California, Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Michoacán. The San Quintín region in Baja California stands out as a major contributor. In 2025 alone, it produced more than 112,000 metric tons of strawberries, second only to Michoacán, which remains the country’s top producer.
Strawberries continue to dominate Mexico’s berry industry, accounting for 54 percent of total production. However, blueberries are emerging as a fast-growing segment. Mexican growers are increasingly targeting premium export windows, particularly in the spring, when competition from countries like Peru is lower in the US market.
Berry production in Mexico is concentrated in two main periods: from late winter to early summer (January through June), and again in late autumn (November to December). Output typically declines during the summer months, when supplies reach their lowest levels of the year.
ORLANDO, FL — For the one in three (98 million) Americans living with prediabetes, a surprising fresh fruit pairing may hold promise for heart health.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that adding one avocado and a cup of mango to your daily routine may help support key markers of cardiovascular health. Adults with prediabetes who enjoyed this combination daily for eight weeks saw improvements in blood vessel function and diastolic blood pressure – two important indicators of cardiovascular wellness.
Conducted by researchers at Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), the study asked adults with prediabetes to follow an Avocado-Mango (AM) diet – adding one medium Hass avocado and a cup of fresh mango to their daily meals and snacks for eight weeks. A calorie-matched control group followed a similar diet, with avocado and mango replaced by calorically comparable carbohydrate-based foods. Those on the AM diet saw meaningful improvements in blood vessel function, which supports healthy circulation, and diastolic blood pressure, a key factor in long-term heart health, compared to the control group.
Blood vessel function improved significantly in participants on the AM diet. They experienced a significant increase in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) – a key measure of endothelial function (blood vessel health) – to 6.7%, compared with a decline to 4.6% in the control. This suggests a meaningful improvement.
Diastolic blood pressure also significantly improved, particularly among men. In the control group, men saw an average central blood pressure increase of 5 points (mmHg), while those on the AM diet experienced a reduction of about 1.9 points – a difference that can be clinically significant if sustained. These benefits occurred without changes in calorie intake or body weight, suggesting that nutrient-dense fruits like avocado and mango may support cardiovascular health without major lifestyle changes.
“This research reinforces the power of food-first strategies to help reduce cardiovascular disease risk, particularly in vulnerable populations like those with prediabetes,” said Britt Burton-Freeman, PhD, Principal Investigator and Professor at Illinois Tech. “It’s an encouraging message: small, nutrient-dense additions—like incorporating avocado and mango into meals and snacks—may support heart health without the need for strict rules or major dietary overhauls.”
The Avocado-Mango group also saw increases in fiber, vitamin C, and heart-healthy monounsaturated fat – nutrients tied to cardiovascular wellness – without changes in calorie intake or body weight. Select kidney function markers, such as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), also improved. While no significant differences were found in cholesterol, blood sugar, or inflammation, the findings highlight the value of adding nutrient-rich fruits to the diet, especially for those at risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Together, mango and avocado offer a unique combination of nutrients that may help support heart health:
Mango has fiber (2g/serving, 7% DV) and is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin C (50% DV), which may support blood sugar control, weight management, and overall cardiovascular wellness. Avocado is a good source of fiber (3g/serving*, 11% DV), important for managing cholesterol levels, blood sugar and body weight. In addition, avocado contributes heart-healthy fats (6g unsaturated fats), which can lower the risk of heart disease by helping to reduce LDL cholesterol, and potassium (250mg, 6% DV), important for maintaining healthy blood pressure.
The complementary nutrient profiles of these two fruits offer a simple, satisfying way to nourish the body and support cardiovascular wellness.
Looking for ways to enjoy this nutrient-dense combination in everyday meals? Try adding avocado and fresh mango to salads, smoothies, or grain bowls for a flavorful, heart-healthy twist, with easy recipes like Mango Avocado Tuna Ceviche or an Avocado and Mango Topper.
Relief for spring produce loading opportunities is coming, but slowly, according to the website of Pro*Act of Monterey, CA.
Sonora is expected to start in late March with fewer acres planted, while the California desert may begin slightly earlier than normal due to warm weather.
Georgia remains several weeks out, expected in late May. Until
then, expect elevated pricing and continued tightness across the pepper category.
Tomatoes are following a similar pattern, with supply disruptions stacking
across regions.
Mexican production slowed following the mid-March national holiday and is now
further constrained by extreme heat in Sonora and Sinaloa. Harvest crews are
starting earlier in the day, but shortened picking windows are limiting overall output.
Quality remains mixed, with some growers pulling from older or previously
abandoned fields.
Florida continues to feel the impact of recent freezes, winds, and frost damage.
Volume is extremely limited across rounds, romas, and grape and cherry tomatoes,
and additional grading is required to meet specifications.
Rounds are seeing the most pressure on larger sizes, particularly 4×4 and 4×5. Romas
have slightly better availability on medium sizes but remain tight overall. Grape and
cherry tomatoes are also tightening as both domestic and Mexican supplies are
constrained at the same time.
Expect tomato markets to remain firm with upward pricing pressure and continued
volatility through mid- to late April, as new regions gradually come online.
Overall, the market is working through a difficult transition window. Florida is slow to
recover, Mexico is weather-constrained, and supply gaps are showing up across
multiple commodities. We’re expecting continued tight availability, elevated pricing,
and variability in quality and packouts.
A new scientific review published by researchers in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at the Illinois Institute of Technology highlights the role of pecans in heart-healthy diets. The data reinforces the nut’s importance within current nutrition and wellness trends.
The research, funded by the American Pecan Promotion Board and published in the journal Nutrients, analyzed 52 studies released between 2000 and 2025, including human clinical trials on cardiometabolic effects and other health outcomes associated with the nuts’ consumption. The data also identified key areas for future research, including the role of fruit in satiety and its impact on weight loss.
According to the analysis, various studies on humans indicate that regular consumption of pecans in snack portions is associated with better key performance indicators of cardiovascular health, particularly in the lipid profile.
Among the observed benefits are reductions in total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-HDL cholesterol. These effects are related to the nut’s content of unsaturated fats, fiber, and bioactive compounds.
Furthermore, the nut is a rich source of polyphenols—natural antioxidants—that might help reduce lipid oxidation, a process linked to oxidative stress and the development of cardiovascular diseases.
The review also cites emerging evidence of pecans’ positive effect on post-meal lipid metabolism, reinforcing their cardioprotective potential.
Blood sugar, satiety, and body weight
Regarding the effects on glycemic control, the results are mixed. While some studies suggest improved insulin response and blood sugar control when the nut replaces refined carbohydrates, the researchers note that more studies are required to establish definitive conclusions.
However, several studies indicate that pecan consumption can increase satiety, which opens opportunities for its use in appetite management strategies.
Regarding body weight, available evidence indicates that the consumption of the fruit is not associated with weight gain, and observed changes remain within normal variability.
Improvement in diet quality
Another relevant finding of the review is that people who include pecans in their diet tend to score higher on the Healthy Eating Index, which reflects better overall nutrition.
Data from the NHANES study—representative of the US population—show that pecans are easily integrated into balanced eating patterns, especially when substituting less healthy snack options.
“What stands out in the research is the consistent relationship between pecan consumption and improved markers of heart health and diet quality. The findings on satiety and weight control also provide valuable information in a context where interest in appetite regulation and GLP-1 therapies is growing,” said Britt Burton-Freeman, director of the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Beyond the scientific results, the authors emphasized that pecans are a practical and accessible option for incorporating plant-based nutrients into the daily diet.
The market remains under pressure as Florida continues to recover from freeze
damage and Mexico struggles with extreme heat. The combination is limiting supply,
impacting quality, and keeping both pepper and tomato markets elevated as March
winds down, according to the website of Pro*Act of Monterey, CA
Bell peppers remain one of the most challenged categories.
Mexico, the primary supplier, is dealing with excessive heat that is slowing
production and limiting harvestable yields. Shortened harvest windows are
reducing overall output, while quality is mixed with increased insect pressure and
fewer premium packs available. Larger sizes and No. 1 grade product are especially
tight, pushing more volume into choice-grade supplies.
Florida is contributing very little volume following winter freeze damage. Many
March fields were lost or set back, and what remains requires heavy grading.
Supplies are inconsistent, with growers focused on managing through reduced
yields until new fields begin in April.
Red bell peppers are even tighter, and recent harvesting decisions are compounding
the issue. Over the past several weeks, growers have been pulling red fields early
while fruit is still green to help cover green bell demand. That shift is now catching
up to the market. True red volume is limited, and quality is being impacted, with
increased reports of “chocolating” and inconsistent color development. Florida
offers little relief, with extremely light, day-to-day volume and variable quality.
Markon First Crop (MFC) Red and Yellow Potatoes are available in Idaho and North Dakota. Red potatoes are in good supply with larger sizes dominating packouts. Yellow potatoes are limited in multiple regions due to higher demand and lower yields. Increasing prices are expected over the next six to eight weeks, especially for yellow potatoes, according to Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
Idaho, North Dakota, Colorado, Washington
- MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available
- Reds: Quality is very good, B size prices are rising
- Yellows: Yields are lower as growers are culling stocks with pressure bruising, air checks, greening and lenticles, and Markets are climbing for all sizes and grades
North Dakota
- MFC Red and Yellow Potatoes are available
- Reds: Quality is good; skins are dark, Prices are holding steady with a slight market increase in B size supplies
- Yellows: Quality is good, Strong demand is pushing up prices
Colorado and Washington
- Supplies are adequate in both regions but demand is shifting from East Coast
- Reds: Quality is good with light pink skin and occasional blemishes, Increasing demand is affect markets
- Yellows: Quality is good, Prices are inching up
Florida
- Availability across all colors and sizes is tight as growers navigate the impacts of the January freeze
- Reds and Yellows: Quality is very good, Expect elevated markets for all sizes, colors, and grades through April
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