Posts Tagged “feature”
The U.S. mango market continues to experience strong growth, driven by increased harvest volumes, particularly from Guatemala and Nicaragua.
Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic are actively harvesting and packing mangoes for export to the United States.
The U.S. market primarily receives shipments of two mango varieties: Tommy Atkins, accounting for approximately 71% of shipments, and Ataulfo/Honey, representing around 23%.
Limited supplies of other varieties such as Haden, Kent, Mingolo, Manila, Nam Doc Mai, and Thai are also available.
As for size classifications, Ataulfo/Honey large sizes are 16 and larger, while small sizes are 18 and smaller.
Round mangoes vary from extra large (size 7+), large (sizes 8-10), and small (size 12 and smaller).
Trade
For the week ending April 26, total mango shipments to the U.S. reached approximately 3,928,010 boxes. Season-wise, the approximate volumes shipped are:
- Mexico: 3,099,478 boxes this week, totaling about 26,576,534 boxes for the season.
- Guatemala: 482,848 boxes shipped this week, with a season total of roughly 2,826,059 boxes.
- Nicaragua: 114,000 boxes this week, cumulative 580,675 boxes season-to-date.
- Dominican Republic: 152,156 boxes this week, totaling approximately 655,103 boxes for the season.
From Week 18 (starting May 3) through Week 22 (ending May 31), overall mango shipments are projected to be about 19% higher than last year. Arrival patterns are expected to continue from Week 19 to Week 23.
Specifically, the 2025 season is expected to see significant growth compared to 2024:
- Mexico: about 8% increase YOY.
- Guatemala: approximately 23% increase YOY.
- Nicaragua: a dramatic increase of around 87% YOY.
For Altar Cross Farms of Ivanhoe, NC has expanded its family owned organic blueberry production by 63 percent this year. With growing demand from both national and local retailers for its organic berries, the company expanded production and is now harvesting from 65 certified organic acres.
Happy Dirt of Durham, NC is an organic produce grower and distributor, handling the majority of Altar Cross Farms’ sales, serving a wide network of wholesale and retail partners across the Southeast.
This season marked the most productive blueberry crop Altar Cross Farms has had in five years, reports Roy Sykes, who co-owns the farm with his wife, Donna Sykes, and operates it with their daughters.
Altar Cross Farms is planted with a diverse varietal mix, including O’Neal, Duke, Legacy, New Hanover and Powder Blue to supports a harvest window stretching from mid-May through August.
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The 2025-26 California table grape season got underway in mid-May in the Coachella Valley in Southern California. As Coachella comes to an end any day now, loadings willshift north to the San Joaquin Valley, where grapes are harvested into December.
Good volume shipments are predicted this season.
To support the season, the California Table Grape Commission launched a global marketing campaign strategically developed to motivate the trade to stock and promote California table grapes, while inspiring consumers in the U.S. and across 21 export markets to choose more California grapes more often.
To encourage retailer participation, the campaign offers a comprehensive suite of promotional tools and incentives. These include bonus opportunities, digital promotions, a registered dietitian (RD) retail program, contests, point-of-purchase materials, and in-store sampling.
On the consumer side, the campaign features advertising on multi-retailer shopper apps, digital coupons and rewards, influencer and RD collaborations, and targeted social media advertising that highlights recipes, snacking ideas, and the health benefits of California-grown fresh grapes.
“Grapes from California enjoy a long season, with plenty of opportunity for promotion, from summer celebrations to fall gatherings,” said Ian LeMay, commission president.
“With a product that has global appeal, strong demand, and a strategic marketing campaign executed by a dedicated team, the commission is yet again ready to continue promoting California table grapes in markets around the world,” said LeMay.
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The tiny town of Hatch in Southern New Mexico gets to rockin’ this time of the year with sweet onions through July, followed it famous Hatch chili peppers during and August and September.
But while Hatch chiles might steal the spotlight, another New Mexico staple quietly complements the heat: sweet, mild onions grown in the same fertile valleys. Together, these crops tell a story of local flavor, agricultural tradition and growing national appeal.
Hatch chile season might not officially begin until late July, but Melissa’s Produce says Hatch sweet onions offer retailers a flavorful head start. Available from late May through July, these sweet, yellow onions are grown in New Mexico’s legendary Hatch Valley, where rich soil and ideal growing conditions create a flavor that’s sweet, mellow and perfect for summer grilling season, according to a news release.
Grown exclusively in the Hatch Valley of southern New Mexico, Hatch chiles thrive in the area’s unique combination of high desert climate, rich volcanic soil and temperature swings between hot days and cool nights. The territory gives Hatch chiles their signature flavor: earthy, slightly smoky and ranging from mild to hot, depending on the variety.
While technically a type of New Mexican green chile, Hatch chiles are distinguished by their place of origin, and for some fans, no other chile compares.
Their short season, typically from August through September, adds to their allure, fueling a cult-like following among food lovers who count the days until fresh Hatch chiles are back in stores and farmers markets.
Hatch sweet onions are available from late May through July. These sweet, yellow onions are grown in New Mexico’s legendary Hatch Valley, where rich soil and ideal growing conditions create a flavor that’s sweet, mellow and perfect for summer grilling season, according to a news release.
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The first annual commemoration of independence was held in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777. In a letter to his daughter (also named Abigail), John Adams wrote that day was celebrated “with a festivity and ceremony becoming the occasion,” according to the Library of Congress.
Massachusetts made July 4 an official state holiday in 1781, the first state to do so. And July 4 became more widely observed by Americans following the War of 1812 (which again pitted the United States against the British.)
Independence Day became the most important nonreligious holiday for many Americans by the 1870s, and Congress passed a law making Independence Day a federal holiday on June 28, 1870.
The Georgia Ports Authority hosted its 56th annual Georgia International Trade Conference, bringing together over 400 customers, business partners, and industry leaders to discuss the latest developments in maritime and logistics.
President and CEO Griff Lynch presented the timeline of GPA’s development over 80 years, which has seen a 784% growth in container volume to 5.6 million TEU since 1995, and highlighted how the new lay berth option at Ocean Terminal in the Port of Savannah will serve as a differentiator.
Next month, the new 1650’ lay berth will enable vessels to enter the port and tie up alongside before proceeding to Garden City Terminal during heavy traffic times.
“Two years ago, we embarked on a program to add more container capacity for the future by transforming Ocean Terminal from a three small ship berth for containers, RoRo, and bulk cargo into a two large ship container berth,” stated Lynch.
Vessels carrying RoRo and bulk cargo have relocated 90 minutes south to the Port of Brunswick, allowing the Port of Savannah to become a 100% container facility.
“We knew there might be some growing pains, but we’ve turned the corner now and our operations are getting back to their full potential as Ocean Terminal will continue to provide more capacity in phases,” Lynch said.
GPA financed Ocean Terminal’s $1.6bn capital improvement project through the issuance of bonds, taking advantage of favorable conditions in 2020 -2022.
GPA holds the highest bond rating of any Southeastern port, reflecting the confidence of financial markets in GPA’s future and growth strategy.
“Ocean Terminal plays a strategic role in our future vision,” said GPA Chairman Kent Fountain. “We’re pleased to see the engineering and construction progress, especially the lay berth capabilities that will come online next month.”
The potential effects of proposed tariffs were also discussed at the conference. GPA is in discussions with customers to address changing market conditions and the use of Garden City Terminal West in the Port of Savannah as a strategic on-terminal storage location for customers who want to flex supply chain speeds to market conditions.
The $200 million, 100-acre facility was opened in 2024, adding storage space for 20,000 containers. In the Port of Brunswick, 215 acres of new, on-terminal land parcels and storage sites were added, along with ample space for additional future storage needs.
Lynch also updated the audience on how the Port of Savannah has addressed vessel backlogs. Vessel operations have now overcome challenges caused by weather events, including an unusual Savannah snowstorm in late January, as well as river closures due to fog in February.
The ongoing improvements at Ocean Terminal in Savannah have enabled berth space at Garden City Terminal to be freed up, resulting in two weekly services returning to Ocean Terminal, effective May 1, bringing the total to four ship calls per week at Ocean Terminal.
The Port of Savannah was the fastest-growing port on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts in 2024, with a throughput of 5.6 million TEU.
This year, in February and March, GPA experienced record volumes in Savannah. Savannah averages 32-33 ship calls a week, generating 42 double-stack trains per week to inland markets with the industry’s best rail dwell times on port, averaging just 22 hours in March 2025.
“Customers are bringing new business to Georgia because of our world-class service, facilities, and speed at the port,” Lynch said.
Garden City Terminal handles 14,000-16,000 truck gate moves per day. Drivers moving a single container can be on and off the port in an average of 35 minutes. Dual export-import truck moves take only 57 minutes on average. Garden City Terminals’ gates are open from 04:00 hours to 18:00 hours, enabling many truckers to perform 6-8 port visits a day for trucking imports and exports to local distribution centers, which is a financial differentiator for inventory levels and supply chain velocity.
Other trends discussed were the acceleration of source shifting in overseas markets which included an example of how GPA is uniquely situated and qualified to accommodate trade growth between India and the U.S. India to Savannah transits are 10-14 days faster via the Suez Canal and 3-5 days taster via the Cape of Good Hope than India to U.S. West Coast routings. Other trends mentioned were the U.S. population shift to the South, with Georgia being one of the fast-growing states, and the manufacturing shift to the Southeast U.S., where Georgia is a pacesetter.
Lynch also illustrated how GPA is well-positioned for the future, with the current container terminal capacity of 5.6 million TEU in Savannah, set to increase to 7.5 million TEU by 2030 and 9 million TEU by 2035. Specific highlights are:
Savannah: Garden City Terminal
Ship berths
2025: 7 container berths
2030+: 12 container berths (100% increase)
Yard capacity
2025: 105,000 containers in 2025
2030+: 190,000 (80% increase)
Truck lanes
2025: 53
2030+: 100 lanes (72% increase)
Ondock rail
2025: 10x 10,000’ trains
2030+: 15 x 10,000’ trains (50% increase)
Savannah harbor improvements: Deepening by 5’ and creation of passing zones for ships.
Talmadge Bridge (over the Savannah River): Raising height above the main channel—a partnership with the Georgia Dept. of Transportation, completion date 2029.
Savannah: Ocean Terminal berth capacity
2025: 1 lay berth, serving 1.5 big ships per week (15% increase)
2026: 2 lay berths, serving 3 big ships per week (30% increase)
2027: 1 lay berth, 1 working berth, serving 4.5 big ships per week (45% increase)
2028: 2 working berths, serving 6 big ships per week (60% increase)
Savannah Container Terminal
2030+: 3 big ship berths
Brunswick: Colonel’s Island
2027: Fourth berth opens for RoRo ships.
2030: Rail expansion to 600,000 units per year.
With approximately 40% of the California avocado crop harvested by late May, the California Avocado Commission anticipates continued strong shipments through the summer. There were robust volumes in June and the crop forecast predicts this to continue in July, ranging from 11 to nearly 17 million pounds weekly, before gradually declining from August into September.
The California Avocado Commission’s marketing campaign includes consumer advertising, social media, public relations and influencer activities as well as customized programs for participating retailers and foodservice operators.
The Commission reports that advertising impressions through April alone exceeded 31 million, and its social media performance is surpassing both CAC’s goals and industry benchmarks.
About the California Avocado Commission
Created in 1978, the California Avocado Commission of Irvine, CA strives to enhance the premium positioning of California avocados through advertising, promotion and public relations, and engages in related industry activities. Ethically sourced California avocados are sustainably farmed and locally grown for exceptional quality and freshness, by about 3,000 growers in the Golden State.
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The Northwest Cherry Growers reports there is a “potential for at least 22 million 20 lb. boxes, marking a 13% increase compared to last year’s harvest.”
Over 2,500 growers across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Montana harvest Northwest-grown sweet cherries, which account for over 70% of the nation’s fresh cherry supply.
According to the organization, Northwest cherries started earlier this year; however, this shift is not expected to impact fruit quality. The season is projected to continue through late August or early September.
With the season in full swing, daily shipments are expected to surpass 350,000 boxes.
Altar Produce of Calexico, CA reports it is significantly expanding its specialty vegetable offerings with plans for green onions, Brussels sprouts and broccoli.
As part of the initiative, the company has announced growth on its year-round green onion program, designed to meet the rising global demand with consistent supply, scalable volume and tailored presentations. With operations rooted in strategic growing regions, the program ensures continuous availability and optimal freshness for retail, foodservice and wholesale partners, according to a news release.
“Our ability to pack in any presentation format requested by our clients — from consumer-ready retail packs, foodservice to customized bulk solutions — reflects our deep commitment to flexibility and customer service 52 weeks per year,” said Rodrigo Torres, director of global sales for Altar Produce. “We’re focused on delivering value beyond the field.”
Altar Produce says the program is supported by its investment in infrastructure and production capacity, enabling the company to scale up volume without compromising quality. Each step in the supply chain is reinforced by stringent quality controls and industry certifications, guaranteeing premium, uniform product standards year-round, the company says.
Beyond green onions, Altar Produce is expanding its portfolio with a strong focus on Brussels sprouts and broccoli. These categories reflect consumer trends and market opportunities where the company’s expertise in field operations, postharvest management and logistics can deliver exceptional results, according to the release.
Frank Donio Inc. of Hammonton, NJ is a 90-year old company with a network of family-owned farms, and a group of growers who have been in business for generations.
In a typical year, the company reports the New Jersey season will yield an average of 12 to 14 million pounds of fresh and frozen blueberries.
Sunny Valley International of Glassboro, NJ has long been a supplier of imported and domestic blueberries, with good supplies in the category 12-months a year due to winter programs from Peru and Chile among others, plus spring programs in Georgia and North Carolina.
The grower/shipper started shipping in mid June and has strong volume. It, as well as other Jersey growers are expecting have 30-40 percent more fruit than last year.
The company is expecting a great supply between the second week of June through late July for East Coast retailers.
Sunny Valley is also the exclusive marketer for the Jersey Fruit Cooperative, marketing blueberries for nine family-owned blueberry growers in New Jersey.
Sonny Boy Produce Landisville, NJ typically ships about 6.5 million pounds of blueberries a year. It grows and ships Jersey blues, plus works with other companies from other growing areas to supply blueberries during other times of the year. The company also is expressing optimism for the shipping season.
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