Author Archive
Over 30 different fruits and vegetables are produced in Georgia each year, and growers are very optimistic about this summer shipping season.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture reports blueberries, peaches, watermelons and sweet corn are all looking good.
Corbett Brothers Farms LLC of Lake Park, GA shipped watermelon and sweet corn for the first time last year and have them again this summer and loadings get underway on May 20 and continue until July 4.
The company has already started harvesting squash, cucumbers, bell pepper and specialty peppers and wi eggplant. The summer season will end around the Fourth of July, and the fall season will kick off in early September with the same commodities.
Bland Farms of Glennville, GA finished its Vidalia onion harvest in early May and has planting Sand Candy sweet potatoes in Georgia and North Carolina. It now has a year around sweet potato program.
When the Vidalia sweet onion season ends in August, Bland Farms will transition to its Peru premium sweet onion program, which will last through February. Then, the sweet onion seaspm will move to Mexico.
The company also sources sweet onions from Nevada and California.
Shuman Farms of Reidsville, GA will ship Vidalia onions through Labor Day
Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA has released these “Live from the Fields” reports on South Georgia cucumbers and squash May 15, 2025:
- Harvesting is ramping up for cucumbers in south Georgia
- MFC Cucumbers are available in various pack sizes
- Quality is very good; supplies are ample
- Supplies are expected to remain available through mid-June
View a Markon “Live from the Fields” video regarding Markon First Crop (MFC) Zucchini and Yellow Squash currently being packed out of the South Georgia growing region.
- Harvesting is ramping up for various dry vegetable crops in Southern Georgia
- MFC Zucchini, and Yellow Squash are available in various pack sizes
- Quality is very good; supplies are ample
- Recent rain and thunderstorms had little or no impact on production
- Supplies are expected to remain available through mid-June *****
- ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The 2025 crop of Chilean apples from Honeybear Brands—a leading grower, marketer, and developer of conventional and organic apples, pears, and cherries—is now available in the U.S. market.
Among the varieties shipped from South America are Honeycrisp and the exclusive Pazazz, which the company says deliver premium taste and eating quality that consumers will enjoy throughout spring and summer.
This year’s imported season kicked off with a wide range of conventional and organic varieties, including Gala, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Fuji and Honeycrisp apples, as well as Bartlett and Bosc pears.
“Honeybear Brands is the leading apple importer from the Southern Hemisphere, ensuring retailers have premium conditioned fruit to meet shopper expectations year-round,” said Don Roper, vice president of sales and marketing at Honeybear Brands.
Pazazz is a late-season apple that retains its texture and flavor long after other premium varieties. It is ideal as a snack and for culinary preparations.
In December 2024, the USDA said apple production in Chile is forecast mostly unchanged at 920,000 tons as high yields from sufficient winter rainfall and chill hours offset decreased acreage. Additionally, exports are forecast to increase only slightly to 535,000 tons for the 2024-25 season.
Chile is the leading exporter of fresh apples to the U.S., with a 44.7% market share. According to USDA data, the country has averaged over 126 million pounds of apples exported to the U.S. annually in the last five years.
Canada is in second place with almost 50 million pounds of apples annually.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Coming off of record shipments last season California blueberries are entering its peak volume period this week with both organic and conventional fruit.
The California Blueberry Commission reports 74.5 million pounds were shipped in 2024.
California Giant Berry Farms of Watsonville, CA reports peak loadings of organic will occur the first two weeks and lasting June, while peak conventional loadings are now underway.
California Giant Berry Farms is anticipating its conventional fruit harvest to be up more than 30% compared with 2024.
Overall, this year nationwide production is projected at 721 million pounds, down slightly from 740.5 million pounds in 2024.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The final loading shipments of South American table grapes have been exported and delivered to the U.S. for grower-shipper, Divine Flavor of Nogales, AZ. A few weeks ago the company turned its attention from Chile to their principal growing regions of Jalisco and Sonora, Mexico.
In recent years, April through May has emerged as a pivotal window for Divine Flavor, with their Jalisco operation kicking off right as the Chilean season concludes with its final shipments. A consistent supply of fresh, high-quality premium varieties—like Autumncrisp, Cotton Candy, and Sweet Globe (all proprietary green seedless grapes)—has played a vital role in supporting a seamless transition for their North American retail partners.
The company notes historically the red seedless would exceed green seedless demand, but slowly that has shifted to a point where in most cases greens now double the demand of reds. Part of this is due to the popularity of the Autumncrisp variety, as well as Sweet Globe, Cotton Candy, among others.
Last April, Mexico Table Grapes Association (AALPUM) announced around 23 million boxes for 2025 (about a 1.3% increase from 2024), and there, it was reported Sonora could see a delay on early-season varieties to start the season, but with volumes picking up in June.
With the early varieties, the Sonoran grape season will see some delays on reds and a smaller crop of Flames than from previous years. But once it approaches the mid-season of harvest, reds will bounce back with better volume, and there will be good volume in June. The company expects to have about an 18% increase from Sonora program.
Divine Flavor finished its last grape shipments from Chile around the end of April (with inventories going into the first weeks of May). Their Jalisco grape program is currently midway through its harvest and will go until the end of May. The company will start its Sonoran grape program with the first organic grapes from Mexico around the middle of May which will go into the end of July.
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating blueberries and other flavonoid-rich foods may support healthy aging, including a lowered risk for poor mental health.
The study, led by researchers from Queen’s University, Belfast N. Ireland; Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; and Rush University Medical Center, highlights the associations between the intake of flavonoids and flavonoid-rich foods, including blueberries, and three indicators of healthy aging (frailty, impaired physical function and poor mental health).
The survey involved more than 85,000 men and women over the age of 60 and showed that blueberries, strawberries, apples, oranges, and tea promote healthier aging.
“From a public health standpoint, a modest yet achievable adjustment, involving an increase of 3 servings per day in flavonoid-rich foods, translated to a 6% to 11% lower risk across the healthy aging indicators in women, and a 15% lower risk of poor mental health in men,” said Aedín Cassidy, Ph.D., nutrition and preventive medicine chair, and director for interdisciplinary research, Queen’s University Belfast and The Institute for Global Food Security.
Researchers conducted the study using data from two U.S.-wide prospective cohort studies, the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS).
The study followed 62,743 females from 1990-2014 and 23,687 males from 2006-2018 and included their data when they reached 60 years or older. Dietary flavonoid intake was calculated from food frequency questionnaires collected when participants started and every four years over 24 years for the NHS and over 12 years for the HPFS.
Every four years, participants also completed health surveys to assess conditions related to frailty, including fatigue, poor strength, reduced aerobic capacity, presence of chronic illnesses, and weight loss. Physical impairment was assessed based on questions related to physical limitations in performing various moderate and vigorous activities.
Mental health was assessed and scored using questions from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression and the Geriatric Depression Scale.
In the NHS, intakes of total flavonoids, compared to the lowest, were associated with a 15% lower risk of frailty, a 12% lower risk of developing impaired physical function, and a 12% lower risk of developing poor mental health. A lowered risk of these outcomes was also associated with a higher habitual intake of specific foods and beverages: tea, red wine, apples, blueberries, and oranges.
In the males with HPFS, high intakes of tea and blueberries and moderate intakes of red wine were associated with a lowered risk of poor mental health. Still, there were no associations between average intakes of any other flavonoid-rich foods and either frailty or impaired physical function.
The researchers also looked at changes due to decreased consumption of flavonoid-rich foods. In the NHS, the greatest decrease in intakes of tea, blueberries, and apples was associated with a 7%, 31%, and 16% higher risk of developing frailty, respectively. Increasing intakes of blueberries by 0.5 servings per day was associated with a 12% lower risk of frailty.
A limitation of the study is that it only focused on middle-aged and older, predominantly white women and men. Future studies in diverse population groups with broader intakes of flavonoid-rich foods are needed.
This research contributes to the growing evidence that consuming flavonoid-rich foods like blueberries throughout one’s life is an important part of a healthy diet.
“Our findings underscore the potential for simple dietary modifications to impact overall quality of life and contribute to healthy aging,” Cassidy explained.
Zespri got an early start again this year with the first shipment of SunGold Kiwifruit arriving in the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Philadelphia in mid-April. Green Kiwifruit started arriving in early May.
Following favorable growing conditions, the 2025-26 harvest is projected to see an increase to over 200 million trays across varieties to be sold worldwide.
With the season underway, kiwi is the #1 fastest growing fruit in the fruit bowl and Zespri is the #1 selling kiwi brand in the category, more than five times the next best-selling brand.* Demand is strong due to Zespri’s ongoing retail partnerships, successful in-store displays, and the introduction of their brand characters, the Zespri KiwiBrothers.
Zespri shipped over 50K display units nationwide last season as retailers recognize their power in driving incremental sales. Key retailers are seeing an average sales lift of 110% during promotions featuring displays. Moreover, Zespri branded kiwifruit is preferred by shoppers and including SunGold and Green Kiwifruit varieties in the set drives incremental growth. When both varieties are merchandised together, sales increased by 32% compared to another green kiwi brand. When SunGold and Green Kiwi organic varieties are included in a display, there is an automatic halo effect of favorable consumer perception.
SunGold Kiwifruit continues to be the main driver of growth for the brand, with dollar sales in the U.S. increasing +42% and volume sales +36% versus a year ago.**To build on their success, Zespri is expanding its portfolio with a soft introduction of the RubyRed Kiwifruit in the U.S. The new variety will bring a unique flavor experience with a naturally sweet berry flavor, which is a differentiator from the SunGold Kiwifruit. RubyRed Kiwi is high in antioxidant vitamin C and includes anthocyanins which are natural plant nutrients that give it its vibrant red color.
ABOUT ZESPRI GROUP, LTD.
Zespri is 100 percent owned by current and former kiwifruit growers and has a global team of 850 based in Mount Maunganui and throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas. Our purpose is to help people, communities and the environment thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit, and we work with 2,800 growers in New Zealand and 1,500 growers offshore to provide consumers with fresh, healthy and great-tasting Zespri Green, SunGold Kiwifruit and Zespri Organic Kiwifruit.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
A recent study has revealed that incorporating avocados into the diet can positively influence the microbiota of adults living with abdominal obesity, without requiring any caloric restrictions, and thus improving gut health.
Conducted as part of the Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial (HAT), the 26-week randomized controlled trial involved 1,008 participants who were split into two groups: one that consumed one avocado daily and another that maintained their usual dietary habits.
Fecal samples from a subset of 230 participants were collected at the start of the study, after four weeks, and after the 26-week period. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, utilized advanced shotgun metagenomics sequencing to assess the gut microbiota composition and diversity.
The findings indicated that participants in the avocado-consuming group experienced a notable increase in gut microbiota diversity by the four-week mark, a change that persisted throughout the study. Particularly, individuals with lower scores on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015), reflecting less nutritious dietary habits at the outset, showed a more significant increase in microbiota diversity when consuming avocados compared to those in the control group.
At the end of the study, the avocado group demonstrated significant changes in beta diversity, suggesting shifts in the overall composition of gut bacteria. At the species level, notable increases were observed in beneficial gut bacteria, including Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bacterium AF16_15. However, functional analysis indicated no significant differences in metabolic pathways between the two groups.
The study, which highlights the potential prebiotic benefits of avocados, suggests that incorporating this nutrient-rich fruit could be particularly advantageous for individuals with lower diet quality scores. These findings open new avenues for dietary interventions aimed at improving gut health in people with abdominal obesity.
The San Joaquin Valley, where nearly 80% of California’s cherries are grown, has issued a disaster declaration for the crop following rain in March and April that disrupted pollination.
According to CBS News, 43% of cherry crops in the region have been damaged. James Chinchiolo, vice president of the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau Federation and owner of Lodi Blooms, said the county is “definitely having a light crop overall.”
He added that this year’s statewide crop could be down by as much as 50%.
The San Joaquin County agriculture commissioner has submitted the disaster declaration to the California Office of Emergency Services, which will review whether the county experienced abnormal conditions this season in order to confirm the request.
If the USDA secretary approves the disaster declaration, it would allow growers to access assistance, likely in the form of low-interest loans, according to San Joaquin County Agriculture Commissioner Kamal Bagri.
CBS News reports the county estimates nearly $98 million in financial losses.
“We’re open to accepting support,” Chinchiolo said. “That’ll help us maintain a healthy operation, keep the folks that work for us employed, and ensure that we can continue to take care of these trees to produce again for another year.”
The California cherry season typically goes from late April to early June.
Initial reports this season indicated a late start, with a decrease in volumes, but they highlighted the availability of high-quality fruit, with large sizes and excellent appearance.
Weather conditions have helped to launch an earlier start to “miniature” (dwarf mangos) from the Colombia’s Caribbean Coast. Production season is typically from early March until June each year, with exports beginning after the second week’s harvest.
Goldenberry Farms of Miami, FL has branded their Sugar Mango brand of miniature mangos since 2021, which has grown in popularity with more than 20 large retailers in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. This year, the focus of the brand is traceability and improved product differentiation.
Miniature mangos are sourced from small family mango farms on the Caribbean Coast.
“Small producers are responsible for 40% of the agricultural yield in counties such as Ecuador and Colombia, however generally do not have access to export markets,” says Michelle Anders, communications director for Goldenberry Farms.
Goldenberry Farms SA exports “Sugar Mango” branded mini mangos to the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, and Hong Kong. The brand includes unique presentations, only first quality fruit is able to be included in the branded export programs.
ABOUT
Goldenberry Farms® is a leading grower, packer, and shipper of high quality tropical fruit, as well as the owner of various IP, shelf life technologies, and commercial trade brands. The company has growing regions near both Medellin and Bogota Colombia, Ecuador, and the Caribbean, exporting via air and sea to distributors and retailers in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Domestic melon shipper Westside Produce of Firebaugh, CA is a grower that ships cantaloupes and honeydews the year around.
Due to its partnership with Classic Fruit, from November to mid-May, cantaloupes, honeydews, and watermelons come from Guatemala—before California’s season starts.
Most of the company’s melons are grown in California’s San Joaquin Valley and the deserts of Yuma, Arizona, and Southern California.
Westside’s first harvest begins in the southern desert areas, either in Southern California or Yuma, Arizona around late May to early June. Then the operations move into the Central Valley of California around the 1st of July, and will be here until the middle of October, before returning to Arizona for October and November shipments.
Yields are expected to be above average this year based on weather conditions so far—around 900 cartons per acre for cantaloupes and 1,200 to 1,300 cartons per acre for honeydews, which are typical for Westside Produce.
Last year, the company averaged about 850 cartons per acre for cantaloupes and between 1,100 and 1,200 cartons per acre for honeydews.
The crop grows in a relatively short cycle of about 75 to 90 days.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Over 30 different fruits and vegetables are produced in Georgia each year, and growers are very optimistic about this summer shipping season.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture reports blueberries, peaches, watermelons and sweet corn are all looking good.
Corbett Brothers Farms LLC of Lake Park, GA shipped watermelon and sweet corn for the first time last year and have them again this summer and loadings get underway on May 20 and continue until July 4.
The company has already started harvesting squash, cucumbers, bell pepper and specialty peppers and wi eggplant. The summer season will end around the Fourth of July, and the fall season will kick off in early September with the same commodities.
Bland Farms of Glennville, GA finished its Vidalia onion harvest in early May and has planting Sand Candy sweet potatoes in Georgia and North Carolina. It now has a year around sweet potato program.
When the Vidalia sweet onion season ends in August, Bland Farms will transition to its Peru premium sweet onion program, which will last through February. Then, the sweet onion seaspm will move to Mexico.
The company also sources sweet onions from Nevada and California.
Shuman Farms of Reidsville, GA will ship Vidalia onions through Labor Day
Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA has released these “Live from the Fields” reports on South Georgia cucumbers and squash May 15, 2025:
- Harvesting is ramping up for cucumbers in south Georgia
- MFC Cucumbers are available in various pack sizes
- Quality is very good; supplies are ample
- Supplies are expected to remain available through mid-June
View a Markon “Live from the Fields” video regarding Markon First Crop (MFC) Zucchini and Yellow Squash currently being packed out of the South Georgia growing region.
- Harvesting is ramping up for various dry vegetable crops in Southern Georgia
- MFC Zucchini, and Yellow Squash are available in various pack sizes
- Quality is very good; supplies are ample
- Recent rain and thunderstorms had little or no impact on production
- Supplies are expected to remain available through mid-June *****
- ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The 2025 crop of Chilean apples from Honeybear Brands—a leading grower, marketer, and developer of conventional and organic apples, pears, and cherries—is now available in the U.S. market.
Among the varieties shipped from South America are Honeycrisp and the exclusive Pazazz, which the company says deliver premium taste and eating quality that consumers will enjoy throughout spring and summer.
This year’s imported season kicked off with a wide range of conventional and organic varieties, including Gala, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Fuji and Honeycrisp apples, as well as Bartlett and Bosc pears.
“Honeybear Brands is the leading apple importer from the Southern Hemisphere, ensuring retailers have premium conditioned fruit to meet shopper expectations year-round,” said Don Roper, vice president of sales and marketing at Honeybear Brands.
Pazazz is a late-season apple that retains its texture and flavor long after other premium varieties. It is ideal as a snack and for culinary preparations.
In December 2024, the USDA said apple production in Chile is forecast mostly unchanged at 920,000 tons as high yields from sufficient winter rainfall and chill hours offset decreased acreage. Additionally, exports are forecast to increase only slightly to 535,000 tons for the 2024-25 season.
Chile is the leading exporter of fresh apples to the U.S., with a 44.7% market share. According to USDA data, the country has averaged over 126 million pounds of apples exported to the U.S. annually in the last five years.
Canada is in second place with almost 50 million pounds of apples annually.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Coming off of record shipments last season California blueberries are entering its peak volume period this week with both organic and conventional fruit.
The California Blueberry Commission reports 74.5 million pounds were shipped in 2024.
California Giant Berry Farms of Watsonville, CA reports peak loadings of organic will occur the first two weeks and lasting June, while peak conventional loadings are now underway.
California Giant Berry Farms is anticipating its conventional fruit harvest to be up more than 30% compared with 2024.
Overall, this year nationwide production is projected at 721 million pounds, down slightly from 740.5 million pounds in 2024.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
The final loading shipments of South American table grapes have been exported and delivered to the U.S. for grower-shipper, Divine Flavor of Nogales, AZ. A few weeks ago the company turned its attention from Chile to their principal growing regions of Jalisco and Sonora, Mexico.
In recent years, April through May has emerged as a pivotal window for Divine Flavor, with their Jalisco operation kicking off right as the Chilean season concludes with its final shipments. A consistent supply of fresh, high-quality premium varieties—like Autumncrisp, Cotton Candy, and Sweet Globe (all proprietary green seedless grapes)—has played a vital role in supporting a seamless transition for their North American retail partners.
The company notes historically the red seedless would exceed green seedless demand, but slowly that has shifted to a point where in most cases greens now double the demand of reds. Part of this is due to the popularity of the Autumncrisp variety, as well as Sweet Globe, Cotton Candy, among others.
Last April, Mexico Table Grapes Association (AALPUM) announced around 23 million boxes for 2025 (about a 1.3% increase from 2024), and there, it was reported Sonora could see a delay on early-season varieties to start the season, but with volumes picking up in June.
With the early varieties, the Sonoran grape season will see some delays on reds and a smaller crop of Flames than from previous years. But once it approaches the mid-season of harvest, reds will bounce back with better volume, and there will be good volume in June. The company expects to have about an 18% increase from Sonora program.
Divine Flavor finished its last grape shipments from Chile around the end of April (with inventories going into the first weeks of May). Their Jalisco grape program is currently midway through its harvest and will go until the end of May. The company will start its Sonoran grape program with the first organic grapes from Mexico around the middle of May which will go into the end of July.
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating blueberries and other flavonoid-rich foods may support healthy aging, including a lowered risk for poor mental health.
The study, led by researchers from Queen’s University, Belfast N. Ireland; Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; and Rush University Medical Center, highlights the associations between the intake of flavonoids and flavonoid-rich foods, including blueberries, and three indicators of healthy aging (frailty, impaired physical function and poor mental health).
The survey involved more than 85,000 men and women over the age of 60 and showed that blueberries, strawberries, apples, oranges, and tea promote healthier aging.
“From a public health standpoint, a modest yet achievable adjustment, involving an increase of 3 servings per day in flavonoid-rich foods, translated to a 6% to 11% lower risk across the healthy aging indicators in women, and a 15% lower risk of poor mental health in men,” said Aedín Cassidy, Ph.D., nutrition and preventive medicine chair, and director for interdisciplinary research, Queen’s University Belfast and The Institute for Global Food Security.
Researchers conducted the study using data from two U.S.-wide prospective cohort studies, the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS).
The study followed 62,743 females from 1990-2014 and 23,687 males from 2006-2018 and included their data when they reached 60 years or older. Dietary flavonoid intake was calculated from food frequency questionnaires collected when participants started and every four years over 24 years for the NHS and over 12 years for the HPFS.
Every four years, participants also completed health surveys to assess conditions related to frailty, including fatigue, poor strength, reduced aerobic capacity, presence of chronic illnesses, and weight loss. Physical impairment was assessed based on questions related to physical limitations in performing various moderate and vigorous activities.
Mental health was assessed and scored using questions from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression and the Geriatric Depression Scale.
In the NHS, intakes of total flavonoids, compared to the lowest, were associated with a 15% lower risk of frailty, a 12% lower risk of developing impaired physical function, and a 12% lower risk of developing poor mental health. A lowered risk of these outcomes was also associated with a higher habitual intake of specific foods and beverages: tea, red wine, apples, blueberries, and oranges.
In the males with HPFS, high intakes of tea and blueberries and moderate intakes of red wine were associated with a lowered risk of poor mental health. Still, there were no associations between average intakes of any other flavonoid-rich foods and either frailty or impaired physical function.
The researchers also looked at changes due to decreased consumption of flavonoid-rich foods. In the NHS, the greatest decrease in intakes of tea, blueberries, and apples was associated with a 7%, 31%, and 16% higher risk of developing frailty, respectively. Increasing intakes of blueberries by 0.5 servings per day was associated with a 12% lower risk of frailty.
A limitation of the study is that it only focused on middle-aged and older, predominantly white women and men. Future studies in diverse population groups with broader intakes of flavonoid-rich foods are needed.
This research contributes to the growing evidence that consuming flavonoid-rich foods like blueberries throughout one’s life is an important part of a healthy diet.
“Our findings underscore the potential for simple dietary modifications to impact overall quality of life and contribute to healthy aging,” Cassidy explained.
Zespri got an early start again this year with the first shipment of SunGold Kiwifruit arriving in the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Philadelphia in mid-April. Green Kiwifruit started arriving in early May.
Following favorable growing conditions, the 2025-26 harvest is projected to see an increase to over 200 million trays across varieties to be sold worldwide.
With the season underway, kiwi is the #1 fastest growing fruit in the fruit bowl and Zespri is the #1 selling kiwi brand in the category, more than five times the next best-selling brand.* Demand is strong due to Zespri’s ongoing retail partnerships, successful in-store displays, and the introduction of their brand characters, the Zespri KiwiBrothers.
Zespri shipped over 50K display units nationwide last season as retailers recognize their power in driving incremental sales. Key retailers are seeing an average sales lift of 110% during promotions featuring displays. Moreover, Zespri branded kiwifruit is preferred by shoppers and including SunGold and Green Kiwifruit varieties in the set drives incremental growth. When both varieties are merchandised together, sales increased by 32% compared to another green kiwi brand. When SunGold and Green Kiwi organic varieties are included in a display, there is an automatic halo effect of favorable consumer perception.
SunGold Kiwifruit continues to be the main driver of growth for the brand, with dollar sales in the U.S. increasing +42% and volume sales +36% versus a year ago.**To build on their success, Zespri is expanding its portfolio with a soft introduction of the RubyRed Kiwifruit in the U.S. The new variety will bring a unique flavor experience with a naturally sweet berry flavor, which is a differentiator from the SunGold Kiwifruit. RubyRed Kiwi is high in antioxidant vitamin C and includes anthocyanins which are natural plant nutrients that give it its vibrant red color.
ABOUT ZESPRI GROUP, LTD.
Zespri is 100 percent owned by current and former kiwifruit growers and has a global team of 850 based in Mount Maunganui and throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas. Our purpose is to help people, communities and the environment thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit, and we work with 2,800 growers in New Zealand and 1,500 growers offshore to provide consumers with fresh, healthy and great-tasting Zespri Green, SunGold Kiwifruit and Zespri Organic Kiwifruit.
*****
ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
A recent study has revealed that incorporating avocados into the diet can positively influence the microbiota of adults living with abdominal obesity, without requiring any caloric restrictions, and thus improving gut health.
Conducted as part of the Habitual Diet and Avocado Trial (HAT), the 26-week randomized controlled trial involved 1,008 participants who were split into two groups: one that consumed one avocado daily and another that maintained their usual dietary habits.
Fecal samples from a subset of 230 participants were collected at the start of the study, after four weeks, and after the 26-week period. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, utilized advanced shotgun metagenomics sequencing to assess the gut microbiota composition and diversity.
The findings indicated that participants in the avocado-consuming group experienced a notable increase in gut microbiota diversity by the four-week mark, a change that persisted throughout the study. Particularly, individuals with lower scores on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015), reflecting less nutritious dietary habits at the outset, showed a more significant increase in microbiota diversity when consuming avocados compared to those in the control group.
At the end of the study, the avocado group demonstrated significant changes in beta diversity, suggesting shifts in the overall composition of gut bacteria. At the species level, notable increases were observed in beneficial gut bacteria, including Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bacterium AF16_15. However, functional analysis indicated no significant differences in metabolic pathways between the two groups.
The study, which highlights the potential prebiotic benefits of avocados, suggests that incorporating this nutrient-rich fruit could be particularly advantageous for individuals with lower diet quality scores. These findings open new avenues for dietary interventions aimed at improving gut health in people with abdominal obesity.
The San Joaquin Valley, where nearly 80% of California’s cherries are grown, has issued a disaster declaration for the crop following rain in March and April that disrupted pollination.
According to CBS News, 43% of cherry crops in the region have been damaged. James Chinchiolo, vice president of the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau Federation and owner of Lodi Blooms, said the county is “definitely having a light crop overall.”
He added that this year’s statewide crop could be down by as much as 50%.
The San Joaquin County agriculture commissioner has submitted the disaster declaration to the California Office of Emergency Services, which will review whether the county experienced abnormal conditions this season in order to confirm the request.
If the USDA secretary approves the disaster declaration, it would allow growers to access assistance, likely in the form of low-interest loans, according to San Joaquin County Agriculture Commissioner Kamal Bagri.
CBS News reports the county estimates nearly $98 million in financial losses.
“We’re open to accepting support,” Chinchiolo said. “That’ll help us maintain a healthy operation, keep the folks that work for us employed, and ensure that we can continue to take care of these trees to produce again for another year.”
The California cherry season typically goes from late April to early June.
Initial reports this season indicated a late start, with a decrease in volumes, but they highlighted the availability of high-quality fruit, with large sizes and excellent appearance.
Weather conditions have helped to launch an earlier start to “miniature” (dwarf mangos) from the Colombia’s Caribbean Coast. Production season is typically from early March until June each year, with exports beginning after the second week’s harvest.
Goldenberry Farms of Miami, FL has branded their Sugar Mango brand of miniature mangos since 2021, which has grown in popularity with more than 20 large retailers in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. This year, the focus of the brand is traceability and improved product differentiation.
Miniature mangos are sourced from small family mango farms on the Caribbean Coast.
“Small producers are responsible for 40% of the agricultural yield in counties such as Ecuador and Colombia, however generally do not have access to export markets,” says Michelle Anders, communications director for Goldenberry Farms.
Goldenberry Farms SA exports “Sugar Mango” branded mini mangos to the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean, and Hong Kong. The brand includes unique presentations, only first quality fruit is able to be included in the branded export programs.
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Goldenberry Farms® is a leading grower, packer, and shipper of high quality tropical fruit, as well as the owner of various IP, shelf life technologies, and commercial trade brands. The company has growing regions near both Medellin and Bogota Colombia, Ecuador, and the Caribbean, exporting via air and sea to distributors and retailers in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.
Domestic melon shipper Westside Produce of Firebaugh, CA is a grower that ships cantaloupes and honeydews the year around.
Due to its partnership with Classic Fruit, from November to mid-May, cantaloupes, honeydews, and watermelons come from Guatemala—before California’s season starts.
Most of the company’s melons are grown in California’s San Joaquin Valley and the deserts of Yuma, Arizona, and Southern California.
Westside’s first harvest begins in the southern desert areas, either in Southern California or Yuma, Arizona around late May to early June. Then the operations move into the Central Valley of California around the 1st of July, and will be here until the middle of October, before returning to Arizona for October and November shipments.
Yields are expected to be above average this year based on weather conditions so far—around 900 cartons per acre for cantaloupes and 1,200 to 1,300 cartons per acre for honeydews, which are typical for Westside Produce.
Last year, the company averaged about 850 cartons per acre for cantaloupes and between 1,100 and 1,200 cartons per acre for honeydews.
The crop grows in a relatively short cycle of about 75 to 90 days.
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ALLEN LUND COMPANY, TRANSPORTATION BROKERS, LOOKING FOR REEFER CARRIERS: 1-800-404-5863.