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Putting peaches in storage increases the risk of chilling injury. Symptoms include bleeding, browning, and a mealy texture and are developed if peaches are stored for more than two weeks. That risk in combination with their short shelf-life creates a dilemma for growers when unanticipated fluctuations of supply occur. “Balancing supply inconsistency with the risks of holding fruit is a fine line that needs to be walked.”
At the consumer level, chilling injury is basically unknown, but its symptoms are one of the primary reasons consumers report dissatisfaction with the category. Often, it is invisible until the fruit is cut. Inconsistency of production patterns at the grower level has a direct link to inconsistency of quality at the consumer level, resulting in a dramatic, long-term impact on the category year over year.
In his research, Ioannis Minas, Associate Professor of Pomology at Colorado State University addresses this issue. Lots of research has been done on chilling injury, but it cannot be avoided. His theory is that we are dealing with chilling injury because we can’t predict the production peaks. That’s when he and Verdant Technologies started talking. The need for stone fruit to travel through the supply chain at a high pace coupled with the many varieties ripening at different times, could Verdant’s technology assist in making the supply chain more efficient?
HarvestHold Fresh
During the testing phase, Verdant’s 1-MCP technology was applied to different types of stone fruit. The technology is basically a plastic sheet that is encapsulated with 1-MCP, which is very easy to apply. Pilot treatments were done with a large grower in Colorado and the benefits immediately showed. It slows down softening, browning and the development of mealiness,” shared Minas. The technology, called HarvestHold Fresh®, is applied immediately at the packing line. The sheet is put in the box, and it works by itself during storage, cooling, and transportation. Following Colorado, California nectarines – both yellow and white – were included in the trials.
While the results with peaches were favorable, the results with nectarines were even better, shared Minas. The University is now working on getting more data for other stone fruits, including plums, and the first results are very promising.
The application of HarvestHold roughly gives the fruit an additional week in the supply chain. At the end of the day, HarvestHold for stone fruit allows growers and shippers to better manage the volatility in supply as it provides them with additional storage time without compromising the quality of the end product. Fruit lasts longer, stays firmer, and tastes better, says Matthew Aronson, Chief Revenue Officer at Verdant Technologies.
The 2026 vegetable growing season in Salinas, CA is progressing much better that at this time last year.
Ippolito International of Salinas, CA reports Salinas vegetable crops are in excellent quality and in ample supply. The fields are in good shaping and the weather has supported crop growth at a manageable pace.
Steady supplies are expected with good volumes and pricing with strong demand for items such as Brussels sprouts and sweet baby broccoli, both of which are seeing strengthening demand year over year.
In 2025, the season saw inconsistent weather, with higher-than-normal temperatures and even some intermittent rain. That challenged supply levels as the company tried to produce a consistent, quality pack. This year, things seem to be moving along with a bit less drama.
However, Ippolito notes this year still has its challenges. February in the region was very warm which led to an earlier than normal Salinas harvest–10-14 days earlier than planned. That early start proved to be the biggest challenge this season. This has resulted in different crops each having their own peaks and valleys.
Hatch Chile loadings got underway in mid July pretty much on schedule, although with lighter volume. Overall volume is expected to be down slightly this season, according The Hatch Chile Store in Las Cruces, NM. The actual product is grown about 40 miles south of Las Cruces at Hatch, NM.
Volume this season will look a little lighter, particularly at the start of the season, due to some curly top that the plants developed which ultimately reduces yields.
The season is on schedule and small volumes were being shipped in mid July and have ramped up since. Shipments of chile peppers will continue until the end of October.
The Hatch Chile Store reports the earliest chile is always have a slightly shorter shelf life than the later chile. In September, the quality starts to go up and the seeded chile shipped in September and October has a longer shelf life. It’s easier to ship and there is less disease pressure because the days are cooler and the plants aren’t as stressed.
Watermelon volume across the U.S. has improved significantly throughout the first two weeks of July, following tight to short supplies for most of June. This was due primarily to a major shortfall in production from the Southern Arizona and California crops, and a much earlier end to spring production from Mexico, according to Stella Farms of Scottsdale, AZ.
The company reports production continues at above average levels from the Southeastern U.S. and new growing areas start in Missouri, North Carolina, and Central California, watermelon supply levels are now average, to above average, for this time of year.
However, overall supply is lower compared to this time last year when volumes were very, very high. Overall, supply is still about average from Western U.S. growing regions, and a bit above average from the Eastern U.S. growing regions.
In the East, production has transitioned from Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama to the next growing regions in North Carolina, Missouri, and Arkansas, and that transition is going smoothly with all new regions starting on time, as expected. There also is production which started recently from Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, and Delaware, which is on time, if not a little early.
Shipments of finger limes from California got underway in late May, which is an early start, according to Shanley Farms of Morro Bay, CA as the company is sending produce to both domestic and international markets.
This year’s production looks similar to a year ago. Steady volumes of finger limes are expected through December barring any extreme weather conditions. Peak loadings typically occur in the fall.
Shanley Farms this season has formed a partnership with Fruition Sales of Orange Cove, CA which is now handling sales. This allows Shanley to focus on the growing side of the business.
California’s San Joaquin Central Valley hit peak shipments about three weeks ago with good supply on field bell peppers.
Baloian Farms of Fresno, CA reports an early start from Fresno, which was about two weeks earlier than normal.
Coastal bell pepper supplies also underway with an earlier than usual start.
Overall, the vegetable grower/shipper has similar volume to last year. How long the season will run is up in the air. If there is cooler weather in the fall, the season show go longer. However, it could be an early end to the season because of the early start.
Bell pepper shipments also have started in the in the Carolinas, while Georgia has finished up production. Other regions such as Tennessee and New Jersey also have starting and Canadian field production is also underway.
Citrus from South Africa has now packed about 65 percent of its estimated volumes and has shipped close to the same amount.
Since early June, it has had weekly container arrivals into Philadelphia, with a weekly service into Savannah, operated by MSC. It has also loaded 2x its dedicated vessels with Seatrade. The first of these arrived just after 4th of July, and the second arrived the last week of July.
The product entered the U.S. market during the 1st week of June with sufficient supply. While each season is different, the Summer Citrus from South Africa organization remains committed to managing supply and demand as it complements domestic U.S. production when it is unavailable.
Planning for its 2026 season began very early, as this program requires a focus and a massive amount of coordination and effort to execute it well. Early on, the organization was able to inform the trade that it did not have the bumper crop from last year, especially on oranges. However the organization prides itself on having premium product and that it will maintain continual communications to the trade as information becomes available.
New York cabbage shipments got underway the second week of July, pretty much on time, relates Hansen Farms of Stanley, NY.
New York started after the main growing regions of North Carolina and Georgia finished up. Michigan may have started a little earlier than New York, plus there is Canadian production. All of this is leaving supply average though it is developing.
A significant part of Hansen Farms’ business is with contract customers. The company notes high fuel rates are difficult for growers and shippers. However, those costs also are hurting everyone from the consumer back to the farm. Processors and receivers are having to pay extra money for trucks, noting that the company is currently installing a new packing line for retail packs which should help with efficiency.
Greg Paul Produce Sales of Stockton, CA began shipping potatoes about two weeks earlier than usual this season and expects to continue until September 5.
The strategy was for some of the shipper’s proprietary varieties to get into an earlier window than they have in the past and it it successfully worked out.
The company has a minor increase in acreage because of some field rotation ability. However overall in Northern California, there was a significant acreage decrease following the departure of a major grower/shipper/packer in the region with approximately 1,000 acres going out of business last year.
n turn, demand is expected to be strong for red, white and gold potatoes for a number of reasons, including the closure of that business.
The current Russet potato situation is also factoring into that demand. While Russets are not a type of potato the company grows/ships, what happens with this variety impacts the category given its dominance in the category.
The lightest volume in Mexican mango shipments to the U.S. in recent years is occurring as production continues to fall well below historical levels. While mangos remain available, reduced production has limited promotional opportunities and pushed prices sharply higher, according to Continental Fresh of Miami, FL.
Volumes from Mexico are down substantially compared to a normal year. Recent production in one week ran about 44 percent below the same week last year. Shortages are being felt throughout the supply chain.
The smaller crop is primarily the result of poor flowering and unfavorable weather conditions earlier in the season, particularly across western Mexico, where several key production regions have harvested significantly fewer boxes than expected.
At present, Mexico is the only significant origin supplying fresh mangos to the U.S. market, leaving buyers with few alternatives. As a result, growers and shippers are carefully managing inventories to fulfill existing retail and foodservice commitments rather than pursuing additional spot market opportunities.
Putting peaches in storage increases the risk of chilling injury. Symptoms include bleeding, browning, and a mealy texture and are developed if peaches are stored for more than two weeks. That risk in combination with their short shelf-life creates a dilemma for growers when unanticipated fluctuations of supply occur. “Balancing supply inconsistency with the risks of holding fruit is a fine line that needs to be walked.”
At the consumer level, chilling injury is basically unknown, but its symptoms are one of the primary reasons consumers report dissatisfaction with the category. Often, it is invisible until the fruit is cut. Inconsistency of production patterns at the grower level has a direct link to inconsistency of quality at the consumer level, resulting in a dramatic, long-term impact on the category year over year.
In his research, Ioannis Minas, Associate Professor of Pomology at Colorado State University addresses this issue. Lots of research has been done on chilling injury, but it cannot be avoided. His theory is that we are dealing with chilling injury because we can’t predict the production peaks. That’s when he and Verdant Technologies started talking. The need for stone fruit to travel through the supply chain at a high pace coupled with the many varieties ripening at different times, could Verdant’s technology assist in making the supply chain more efficient?
HarvestHold Fresh
During the testing phase, Verdant’s 1-MCP technology was applied to different types of stone fruit. The technology is basically a plastic sheet that is encapsulated with 1-MCP, which is very easy to apply. Pilot treatments were done with a large grower in Colorado and the benefits immediately showed. It slows down softening, browning and the development of mealiness,” shared Minas. The technology, called HarvestHold Fresh®, is applied immediately at the packing line. The sheet is put in the box, and it works by itself during storage, cooling, and transportation. Following Colorado, California nectarines – both yellow and white – were included in the trials.
While the results with peaches were favorable, the results with nectarines were even better, shared Minas. The University is now working on getting more data for other stone fruits, including plums, and the first results are very promising.
The application of HarvestHold roughly gives the fruit an additional week in the supply chain. At the end of the day, HarvestHold for stone fruit allows growers and shippers to better manage the volatility in supply as it provides them with additional storage time without compromising the quality of the end product. Fruit lasts longer, stays firmer, and tastes better, says Matthew Aronson, Chief Revenue Officer at Verdant Technologies.
The 2026 vegetable growing season in Salinas, CA is progressing much better that at this time last year.
Ippolito International of Salinas, CA reports Salinas vegetable crops are in excellent quality and in ample supply. The fields are in good shaping and the weather has supported crop growth at a manageable pace.
Steady supplies are expected with good volumes and pricing with strong demand for items such as Brussels sprouts and sweet baby broccoli, both of which are seeing strengthening demand year over year.
In 2025, the season saw inconsistent weather, with higher-than-normal temperatures and even some intermittent rain. That challenged supply levels as the company tried to produce a consistent, quality pack. This year, things seem to be moving along with a bit less drama.
However, Ippolito notes this year still has its challenges. February in the region was very warm which led to an earlier than normal Salinas harvest–10-14 days earlier than planned. That early start proved to be the biggest challenge this season. This has resulted in different crops each having their own peaks and valleys.
Hatch Chile loadings got underway in mid July pretty much on schedule, although with lighter volume. Overall volume is expected to be down slightly this season, according The Hatch Chile Store in Las Cruces, NM. The actual product is grown about 40 miles south of Las Cruces at Hatch, NM.
Volume this season will look a little lighter, particularly at the start of the season, due to some curly top that the plants developed which ultimately reduces yields.
The season is on schedule and small volumes were being shipped in mid July and have ramped up since. Shipments of chile peppers will continue until the end of October.
The Hatch Chile Store reports the earliest chile is always have a slightly shorter shelf life than the later chile. In September, the quality starts to go up and the seeded chile shipped in September and October has a longer shelf life. It’s easier to ship and there is less disease pressure because the days are cooler and the plants aren’t as stressed.
Watermelon volume across the U.S. has improved significantly throughout the first two weeks of July, following tight to short supplies for most of June. This was due primarily to a major shortfall in production from the Southern Arizona and California crops, and a much earlier end to spring production from Mexico, according to Stella Farms of Scottsdale, AZ.
The company reports production continues at above average levels from the Southeastern U.S. and new growing areas start in Missouri, North Carolina, and Central California, watermelon supply levels are now average, to above average, for this time of year.
However, overall supply is lower compared to this time last year when volumes were very, very high. Overall, supply is still about average from Western U.S. growing regions, and a bit above average from the Eastern U.S. growing regions.
In the East, production has transitioned from Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama to the next growing regions in North Carolina, Missouri, and Arkansas, and that transition is going smoothly with all new regions starting on time, as expected. There also is production which started recently from Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, and Delaware, which is on time, if not a little early.
Shipments of finger limes from California got underway in late May, which is an early start, according to Shanley Farms of Morro Bay, CA as the company is sending produce to both domestic and international markets.
This year’s production looks similar to a year ago. Steady volumes of finger limes are expected through December barring any extreme weather conditions. Peak loadings typically occur in the fall.
Shanley Farms this season has formed a partnership with Fruition Sales of Orange Cove, CA which is now handling sales. This allows Shanley to focus on the growing side of the business.
California’s San Joaquin Central Valley hit peak shipments about three weeks ago with good supply on field bell peppers.
Baloian Farms of Fresno, CA reports an early start from Fresno, which was about two weeks earlier than normal.
Coastal bell pepper supplies also underway with an earlier than usual start.
Overall, the vegetable grower/shipper has similar volume to last year. How long the season will run is up in the air. If there is cooler weather in the fall, the season show go longer. However, it could be an early end to the season because of the early start.
Bell pepper shipments also have started in the in the Carolinas, while Georgia has finished up production. Other regions such as Tennessee and New Jersey also have starting and Canadian field production is also underway.
Citrus from South Africa has now packed about 65 percent of its estimated volumes and has shipped close to the same amount.
Since early June, it has had weekly container arrivals into Philadelphia, with a weekly service into Savannah, operated by MSC. It has also loaded 2x its dedicated vessels with Seatrade. The first of these arrived just after 4th of July, and the second arrived the last week of July.
The product entered the U.S. market during the 1st week of June with sufficient supply. While each season is different, the Summer Citrus from South Africa organization remains committed to managing supply and demand as it complements domestic U.S. production when it is unavailable.
Planning for its 2026 season began very early, as this program requires a focus and a massive amount of coordination and effort to execute it well. Early on, the organization was able to inform the trade that it did not have the bumper crop from last year, especially on oranges. However the organization prides itself on having premium product and that it will maintain continual communications to the trade as information becomes available.
New York cabbage shipments got underway the second week of July, pretty much on time, relates Hansen Farms of Stanley, NY.
New York started after the main growing regions of North Carolina and Georgia finished up. Michigan may have started a little earlier than New York, plus there is Canadian production. All of this is leaving supply average though it is developing.
A significant part of Hansen Farms’ business is with contract customers. The company notes high fuel rates are difficult for growers and shippers. However, those costs also are hurting everyone from the consumer back to the farm. Processors and receivers are having to pay extra money for trucks, noting that the company is currently installing a new packing line for retail packs which should help with efficiency.
Greg Paul Produce Sales of Stockton, CA began shipping potatoes about two weeks earlier than usual this season and expects to continue until September 5.
The strategy was for some of the shipper’s proprietary varieties to get into an earlier window than they have in the past and it it successfully worked out.
The company has a minor increase in acreage because of some field rotation ability. However overall in Northern California, there was a significant acreage decrease following the departure of a major grower/shipper/packer in the region with approximately 1,000 acres going out of business last year.
n turn, demand is expected to be strong for red, white and gold potatoes for a number of reasons, including the closure of that business.
The current Russet potato situation is also factoring into that demand. While Russets are not a type of potato the company grows/ships, what happens with this variety impacts the category given its dominance in the category.
The lightest volume in Mexican mango shipments to the U.S. in recent years is occurring as production continues to fall well below historical levels. While mangos remain available, reduced production has limited promotional opportunities and pushed prices sharply higher, according to Continental Fresh of Miami, FL.
Volumes from Mexico are down substantially compared to a normal year. Recent production in one week ran about 44 percent below the same week last year. Shortages are being felt throughout the supply chain.
The smaller crop is primarily the result of poor flowering and unfavorable weather conditions earlier in the season, particularly across western Mexico, where several key production regions have harvested significantly fewer boxes than expected.
At present, Mexico is the only significant origin supplying fresh mangos to the U.S. market, leaving buyers with few alternatives. As a result, growers and shippers are carefully managing inventories to fulfill existing retail and foodservice commitments rather than pursuing additional spot market opportunities.