Posts Tagged “feature”
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.
The US avocado market continues to expand in 2026, supported by strong import volumes, especially from Mexico, and modest domestic growth.
According to the USDA’s Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook (March 2026), California is expected to produce 330 million pounds of avocados in the 2025–26 marketing year, a one percent increase from the previous season. About 94 percent of this crop consists of Hass or Hass-like varieties, reinforcing their dominance in the US market.
Despite this growth, the US avocado market remains heavily dependent on imports. In 2025, the United States imported a record 2.87 billion pounds of fresh avocados, marking a seven percent increase from 2024 and surpassing the previous record set in 2023.
Mexico alone accounted for 83 percent of import volume and 88 percent of total import value, highlighting its critical role in supplying the US market year-round.
Supply conditions in early 2026 have further shaped the market. Between January and mid-March, avocado shipments from Mexico were 24 percent higher than during the same period in 2025. In addition, larger avocados accounted for 50 percent of shipments, up from 40 percent a year earlier.
This increase in both volume and fruit size has placed downward pressure on prices, with average shipping-point prices for larger Hass avocados falling to around $1 per pound, roughly one-third of the price seen a year earlier.
Seasonal imports from other countries also influence the US avocado market. In 2025, Peru supplied 218 million pounds, accounting for about 7 percent of total shipments, with most arriving between June and August. Colombia contributed an additional four percent, with shipments spread more evenly throughout the year. These imports often coincide with California’s peak season, increasing overall supply and contributing to lower prices.
Overall, the USDA report shows that the US avocado market in 2026 is characterized by record import dependence, increasing supply, and falling prices. While these trends benefit consumers by increasing availability and affordability, they also create competitive pressure on domestic producers, particularly in California.
With the citrus season underway in the Southern Hemisphere, the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) released a statement projecting a 15 percent increase in citrus imports this season.
To gear up for the surge, the ports are ramping up investments in cold chain facilities and enhanced vessel services.
Savannah and Brunswick ports now offer new shipping routes connecting West and South Africa to Savannah, with a 26-day transit time.
Georgia Ports Authority’s CEO, Griff Lynch, states that the ports are prepared for initial arrivals from South Africa, South America, and other regional markets, expected to begin in May and June.
“This year, we will be serving a broader portfolio of citrus customers and cold chain shippers,” Lynch adds. “We’ve added new vessel services to citrus markets, and we have a new $4.5 million temperature-controlled, CBP inspection site opening in June, which is on our Garden City Terminal for ease of use.”
US Customs and Border Protection operations at the Port of Savannah will expand to include a 4,000-square-foot refrigerated space for inspections of chilled cargo. This will allow produce importers to choose on-port or off-dock inspections at refrigerated warehouses.
This feature is part of a new 300,000-square-foot facility at Garden City Terminal, which opened in February and is being expanded to support temperature-controlled cargo requiring inspections by the US Department of Agriculture and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
According to market data agency Verified Market Reports, growth is driven primarily by the health trend, an increasing demand for organic and locally sourced fruits and vegetables, and a shift toward convenient, at-home, healthy eating.
North America leads in produce box demand, accounting for approximately 38 percent of total market revenue.
According to the report, in the US specifically, consumers seek consistent access to a diverse, high-quality range of national produce, which isn’t always easy depending on the state and region.
Violet Jordan, Sourcing and Fulfillment Manager at Chicago’s independent grocery store Forty Acre Fresh Market, has watched the business blossom from a subscription service into a bustling storefront.
Yet, the appetite for produce boxes remains as strong as ever.
She explained that the store opening prompted some customers to change their produce box subscriptions—from every week to every other week—so they could pick out products available at the brick-and-mortar location. To her, this reflects the audience’s commitment to healthy eating and a personal engagement with the local food system.
Forty Acre Fresh Market serves all of the Windy City, offering subscriptions that include local herbs and vegetables as well as a rotating selection of produce sourced nationwide.
“There aren’t many fruits grown in Chicago,” Jordan explained. “We’re sourcing from different growers, from here, the Midwest, Illinois—as long as it’s good quality, which is what our customers care about the most.”
But just as great-tasting produce, seasonality is also a crucial element driving subscriptions, she says.
“People want to cook in sync with the weather,” Jordan added. “Once we kind of hit fall and winter, I’m bringing in a lot more winter squashes or pumpkins. Once we get summer, I like to bring in some watermelon; a lot more fresh stuff.”
She explained that Forty Acre Fresh Market offers three types of produce boxes at different price points, which change weekly based on availability. However, the subscription model offers flexibility that greatly benefits the business, but demands a certain level of trust from the subscriber.
For example, after this year’s freezes in Florida, blueberries were scarce, so the team reached out to customers to ask about their preferred alternative—blackberries or strawberries.
“Sometimes our stock shifts with what we’re able to get in the price range—because we don’t want to get things that are super expensive and then have to pass that cost on to customers,” she explained.
Jordan noted that berries and greens are essential in the produce box, peaches are popular in summer, and watermelons are consistently well-received. She explained that a major benefit of the subscription is outsourcing decision-making to someone who understands seasonality and knows which categories and items to pick each time.
Overall, she believes the produce subscription box trend offers a unique experience, with continued demand driven by convenience and expert selection of seasonal produce.
Peruvian avocado exports soared by 38 percent in 2025, but expectations are lower for this year.
The 2026 Peruvian Hass avocado season is projected to close with exports exceeding 765 thousand metric tons (MT), a six percent increase from the 723 thousand MT exported in 2025, according to ProHass.
Europe will remain the main destination for Peruvian Hass avocados. with shipments to the continent estimated at 488 thousand MT, equivalent to 64 percent of the total exported volume. However, Europe’s explosive 39 percent growth in 2025 is unlikely to be repeated, forcing exporters and importers to plan their commercial operations accordingly and ensure an orderly supply during the season.
The United States is expected to receive six percent more fruit, equivalent to about 107 thousand MT, while Asia is projected to reach nearly 82 thousand MT, an eight percent increase over the previous year. This consolidates Asia’s growing relevance to the Peruvian Hass avocado industry, especially in markets such as China, Korea, and Japan.
Meanwhile, Chile and Argentina will jointly account for around 86 thousand MT, maintaining their complementary roles within the sector’s export strategy.