Posts Tagged “feature”
Most California Pear Growers will continue to have a dependable market for their crop as Pacific Coast Producers (PCP) of Sacramento, CA has announced it plans to maintain canned pear volume following its recent acquisition of Del Monte’s shelf-stable fruit assets.
The development provides some continuity for pear processing volumes that have long been a cornerstone of the industry.
“In recent years, Del Monte had contracted for nearly 40 percent of the pears used in canned products,” said Chris Zanobini, Executive Director of the California Pear Advisory Board. “With the closure of their Modesto facility, maintaining that tonnage in the system was critical. Pacific Coast Producers’ plan to contract a significant portion of that volume, will help keep the industry operating at sustainable levels and provide some certainty for growers heading into the season.”
Approximately two-thirds of California’s pear crop is utilized in processed products such as canned pears and fruit cocktail. While processing capacity in the state has consolidated in recent years, PCP’s expanded role helps ensure a continued outlet for that fruit.
Pacific Coast Producers is an agricultural cooperative owned by 160 family farmers in Northern California. The company operates facilities in California and Oregon and employs more than 4,000 people. Since 1971, PCP has focused on delivering quality fruit products while supporting the long-term viability of its grower-owners and partners.
PCP is expected to contract with both cooperative members and independent growers, providing flexibility and continuity across the industry.
In a recent statement, PCP said: “We are committed to a viable agricultural community in our state. We have increased our purchases of West Coast fruit to ensure a reliable supply for our customers while maintaining the quality consumers expect.”
California pear growers continue to navigate a competitive global market, with imports—particularly from Argentina—remaining a factor. Industry leaders are actively working on trade policy to support fair market conditions.
Approximately 60 pear farming families remain in California today, continuing a long-standing tradition of pear production. The 2026 crop is expected to be early and plentiful, and growers are well positioned to supply both fresh and processed markets.
The Brazilian mango industry is facing a difficult start to the year due to heavy rains in the São Francisco Valley, the country’s primary production region. “Approximately 60% of my harvest was destined for the domestic market due to quality concerns,” stated Ronaldo Araujo, CEO of Sebastião da Manga.
According to Araujo, the rain primarily affected the fruit’s external quality, emphasizing that the issue was not quantity but exportability. “We experienced significant losses because of the rain, leading us to focus on the local market to avoid client problems,” he said. In Brazil, consumers are more tolerant of mangoes with minor imperfections, which helped us temporarily redirect the fruit.
The São Francisco Valley, responsible for 90% of Brazil’s mango exports, has been hit the hardest by the weather.
This development aligns with the decreased availability of Mexican mango in the global market, creating an opportunity for Brazil. “Mexico’s production is lower this year, and anthracnose issues are also affecting supply. That’s why the United States is sourcing produce from Brazil to load in May and June,” Araujo stated. The rising demand in North America might result in higher prices.
Brazil maintains its position as a year-round supplier thanks to its continuous production cycle, unlike other countries with more seasonal supplies, such as Peru or Ecuador. “Brazil is the only country that produces mango 12 months of the year; the others work in windows,” the grower pointed out.
Tommy Atkins and Palmer varieties still dominate Brazilian plantations, with Tommy Atkins being more sensitive to rainfall. “The Palmer mango is a little more resistant,” he added.
The sector is optimistic that exports will recover in the second half of the year, supported by higher-quality fruit and more favorable weather. “We expect quality to be very good for export,” Araujo stated.
Rosy Red Valencias, an exciting new citrus variety native to California’s Central Valley, will be available at Bee Sweet Citrus of Fowler, CA later this spring.
Discovered in 2009 by Bee Sweet Citrus grower Nancy Lange, this variety is an excellent choice for customers seeking unique produce to enhance their summer selection.
“The Rosy Red is truly unique. As the only Valencia orange with beautifully tinted juice, it boasts a vibrant rosy blush and a striking coral-colored flesh,” said Bee Sweet Citrus grower Nancy Lange. “Its beautiful pigmentation comes from lycopene, a carotenoid known for its nutritional benefits. With its delicious flavor and healthful qualities, Rosy Reds are sure to delight consumers.”
Similar to Bee Sweet’s Royal Red oranges and Cara Cara Navel oranges, Rosy Red Valencias feature a unique coral-colored interior and a blushed rind.
Their blush is most pronounced during the summer months, and harvest runs from May through August. Their sweet flavor makes them perfect for fresh eating, while their abundant juice content is excellent for juicing.
“Rosy Reds were first discovered as a spontaneous variation on a single limb of a Valencia tree. We’re grateful that Nancy not only noticed the emergence of Rosy Reds, but also led its development and production,” stated Bee Sweet Citrus Sales Representative Joe Berberian. “We’re proud to include Rosy Reds in our citrus line-up and hope our customers enjoy their unique flavor while they’re in season.”
Rosy Red Valencias are available in both bag and bulk options. The packaging has been thoughtfully created to highlight the variety’s unique qualities and is sure to draw attention in the produce aisle.
Initial projections for the Northwest cherry 2026 season have been revised downward, but not that much.
Early-season estimates predicted between 22 and 23 million boxes have been adjusted to 21.5 million boxes.
This represents a roughly seven percent reduction from initial projections. This is due to the natural and highly expected agronomic stress on cherry trees after 2025’s bumper season; and on the other, there was freeze damage.
Low temperatures hit Washington’s Yakima Valley and parts of Oregon during the first half of April, which cut volume projections for early varieties, such as Rainier, Yellow cherry, or Early Robbins. For example, Chelan, whose yield usually sits at six tons per acre, is projected to decrease to between three and four tons per acre.
The shipping season is expected to start at the end of May, with a light harvest before volumes ramp up significantly during the first week of June.
By the end of that first week of June, volumes would ramp up pretty hard and be available into August with heavier volumes. The peak shipping season is projected to fall between June 15 and July 20.
CMI Orchards of Wenatchee, WA reports similar information to the Northwest Cherry Association and is looking forward to a crop with good quality.
Baloian Farms of Fresno, CA began harvesting its California Flat Sweet Red Onions in early May, marking the start of what the company anticipates to be a strong domestic season.
The program features Baloian’s Italian Flat Sweet Red Onion, grown from an exclusive heirloom seed cultivated for more than three generations. Known for its high Brix sweetness, distinctive flat shape, and strong shelf appeal, the item continues to gain traction among retailers seeking differentiated, high-flavor onion offerings.
“As consumers continue to look for more flavor-forward produce options, our Flat Sweet Reds deliver both taste and visual appeal,” said Reiley Johnstone at Baloian Farms. “We’re seeing increased interest from retailers looking to elevate their onion category with unique items that drive repeat purchases.”
Harvest will begin in Fresno, with promotable volumes expected throughout the May through October window. Baloian Farms offers a range of pack options and supports retail ad planning and seasonal programs.
The California season comes at a time when demand for premium and specialty onions continues to grow, particularly among shoppers seeking sweeter, versatile varieties for both fresh and culinary use.
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Baloian Farms is a fourth-generation, vertically integrated family farm specializing in providing premium quality produce year-round. We work from the ground up—growing, harvesting, packing, food safety, quality control, cooling, and distribution. We meticulously monitor every step of the process, every day, to maintain our reputation as a world-class grower, shipper, and distributor of fresh vegetables.
Elgin, MN – Honeybear Brands, a leading grower, marketer and developer of premium conventional and organic apples, pears and cherries, is urging retailers to remind shoppers to eat more fiber rich apples, in an effort to help them reduce their risk of certain cancers, including Colon Cancer.
And in addition to cancer protection, emerging research shows fiber can even protect our brains – slowing down symptoms of cognitive decline.
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S. and the risk is growing in younger adults – 1 in 5 diagnoses are now occurring in people under 55, and the American Cancer Society is urging regular screenings start at age 45 rather than 50.
But In the US, about 97% of men and 90% of women do not eat enough fiber. The American diet features processed food, and low-fiber, high-fat meals. A high-fiber diet can mitigate risk, providing a preventative measure against colon cancer. Apple peels are packed with fiber thanks to phytochemicals — such as flavonoids and polyphenols — which has been shown to fight certain cancers.
“We know shoppers are looking to make informed choices. They are aware of fiber’s contribution to good gut health, which supports overall health,” said Kristi Harris, Marketing Director, Honeybear Brands. “And with apples, it’s easy to sneak more fiber into our diets. Whether you take an apple with you as an on-the-go snack, slice it up instead of chips for lunch or add to a dish for dinner, apples deliver on taste and health in spades. Plus, they are very affordable.”
About Honeybear Brands
Honeybear Brands is a multi-generational grower, marketer, and innovator of premium conventional and organic apples, pears, and cherries. With operations rooted in the world’s finest growing regions, Honeybear combines sustainable farming practices with state-of-the-art packing facilities strategically located across the U.S. to deliver fresher, faster, and packed-to-order fruit. A robust year-round import program further ensures consistent supply and exceptional quality for retail partners and consumers alike.
Honeybear Brands is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wescott Agri Products.
Sweet corn volume has improved from its historically low numbers earlier this spring.
Back in March, supplies were extremely low as a result of a multi-day freeze that hit the state of Florida early February. However, volume has improved. “It’s all a matter of supply and demand,” says Geoff Taft with Pioneer Growers Cooperative of Belle Glade, FL.
“Right now, we are experiencing really good volume out of Southern Florida,” he added. The Bell Glade area is going full stride and will have great volume until Memorial Day. While this region got hammered by the freeze, most corn got replanted and that’s being harvested now. “This is all post-freeze corn.”
From Bell Glade, the sweet corn season will transition to Bainbridge, Georgia. There will be a bit of overlap between the regions as Bainbridge is expected to kick off between May 15 and May 20. Early on in the growing season, cold weather somewhat slowed down the Bainbridge crop, but it is now fully back on schedule. “Sweet corn out of Bainbridge is looking very good and will play an important role for the 4th of July holiday.” After that, the season will probably continue for another week before it wraps up. Simultaneously, Pioneer Growers will have corn deal out of Poulan, GA.
Bell peppers
An item that was recently added to the company’s offering is bell pepper. Harvest started out of Bell Glade last Fall and is still going. After a successful first bell pepper season out of Bell Glade, Pioneer Growers has lined up a deal in Quitman, GA with harvest starting at the end of the May.
Transition to Georgia
This time of year is marked by a crop transition from Florida to Georgia. In addition to sweet corn and bell peppers, cabbage is finishing up in Bell Glade and moving to Bainbridge. The same is happening with green beans and broccoli crowns. Bagged and chopped green beans are available while broccoli crowns can be purchased in bulk or solo wrapped.
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly between the United States and Iran, are continuing to affect global logistics markets through higher fuel costs, risk surcharges, and capacity pressure.
According to Shypple, while the sector has already adapted to longer transit times caused by rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope, the current market environment is adding further pressure on freight costs and supply chain planning.
The company said freight markets remain volatile. Asia-Europe rates are declining on some routes as carriers lower prices to fill vessels, while rates from India and the Middle East continue to rise. Fuel and insurance costs are also increasing through higher Bunker Adjustment Factors and War Risk Surcharges.
Shypple procurement analyst Dennis Wietsma said importers are increasingly being forced to choose between long-term contracts with added surcharges or volatile spot markets.
“Do you opt for the security of a long-term contract, knowing you will still pay emergency surcharges on top of it? Or do you dare to ride the volatile spot market, where rates might drop, but you pay top dollar the moment a new geopolitical escalation occurs?”
According to the company, one of the biggest operational challenges is unreliable ETA data from carriers. Shipping lines are still calculating transit times based on former Suez Canal routing, resulting in delays being added later in the shipment process.
“In a market where shipping lines offer less control and transparency, independent track & trace is no longer a luxury, but a necessity,” said Tim de Groot.
The report noted that many non-food importers are moving away from just-in-time logistics and building inventory buffers of up to three months to reduce supply risks.
For fresh produce importers, however, long-term storage is not an option. According to Shypple, refrigerated cargo sectors such as fruit, vegetables, and plants are relying more heavily on fixed shipping allocations and stable trade routes from Central America and South America.
Shypple account manager Lesley van de Water said real-time shipment tracking is becoming increasingly important for supply chain management.
“You can’t prevent changes from happening, but thanks to the tracking, you can adjust immediately.”
New Zealand-based global fruit supplier T&G Fresh reports that its 2026 Satsuma mandarin season is among the strongest in recent years.
The company expects an output of approximately 3,500 tons, significantly increasing nationwide volumes.
In a press release, the firm cultivates the variety across three orchards in Northland (currently being harvested), and sells fruit in supermarket from grower partners in the area and in Gisborne. Approximately half of the total crop will be sold domestically, with the remainder exported.
“This year’s growing conditions have been ideal, with a good balance of rainfall and dry periods helping develop excellent size, color, and flavor in the fruit,” said Ben Smith, T&G Fresh’s general manager of growing. “We’re seeing high brix levels and low acidity, which translates to sweet, juicy mandarins that taste fantastic. Combined with the larger fruit size, it’s a great result for shoppers.”
Harvesting began in Northland over the Easter weekend, marking the start of the season. Picking in Gisborne, NZ, is expected to commence in late April. T&G Fresh anticipates a consistent supply of Satsuma mandarins through mid-to-late July.
T&G is one of the largest growers and marketers of Satsumas in New Zealand, which the company says is one of the most eagerly anticipated and sought-after citrus products, according to industry body Citrus New Zealand.
May marks one of the most exciting times of year at Legend Produce, as the company officially begins its domestic harvest of Origami cantaloupes in the Arizona desert, according to the company based in Scottsdale, AZ.
Following several months of imports, the arrival of this premium melon signals the return of fresh, U.S.-grown fruit—and this season is off to an outstanding start.
Fields are producing beautiful, high-quality melons with strong yields, vibrant appearance, and a flavor profile that is already turning heads across the industry.
Origami continues to set itself apart as a truly unique variety, delivering both early-season durability and exceptional eating quality.
Current harvests are measuring an impressive 15-16 Brix, offering the high sugar levels that translate into the bold sweetness consumers crave. Origami consistently delivers a balanced profile—rich aroma, smooth texture, and a clean, memorable finish that defines premium cantaloupe.
“There is no other variety on the market that performs like Origami this time of year,” Managing Member Barry Zwillinger explains. “We’ve seen other melons come in early with decent numbers, but they simply don’t match the flavor and aroma profile. Origami holds its integrity in the field and delivers the full eating experience customers expect. Year after year, retail data confirms it—consumers choose Origami, and our customers are asking for it by name.”
With production underway in Yuma, Arizona and California, Legend Produce is positioned to deliver a consistent, high-quality supply of Origami cantaloupes throughout the domestic season.