Author Archive
In a recent apple holdings report, the U.S. Apple Association, notes the number of fresh apples in storage as of Feb. 1, 2025, is 92.7 million bushels, which is 5% less than inventories reported in February 2024 but still 12% more than the five-year average.
Gerlach said processing apples are also down 5% year over year at 37.5 million bushels, but still 8% higher than the five-year average.
Washington state still tops the list with 107,395,238 bushels of apples in holding. That number is down slightly from the 2023-24 season, but still higher than the five-year average, according to the report. The state moved 2,839,525 bushels of fresh apples in regular storage and 9,129,998 bushels of fresh apples in controlled-atmosphere storage.
New York is second with 10,282,460 bushels of apples in holding. That number is slightly higher than the 2023-24 season and higher than the five-year average. The state moved 247,163 bushels of fresh apples in regular storage and 327,749 bushels of fresh apples in controlled-atmosphere storage.
Michigan has 6,143,000 bushels of apples in holding, which is down from both 2023-24 and the five-year average. The state moved 39,528 bushels of fresh apples in regular storage and 1,936,749 bushels of fresh apples in controlled-atmosphere storage.
Gala tops the varieties in holding, with 19,396,774 bushels of fresh and processing apples, which is higher than the 2023-24 season and the five-year average. Red delicious is second with 17,068,616 bushels of fresh and processing apples in holding, which is down from 2023-24 and the five-year average.
Granny smith is third with 15,331,791 bushels of fresh and processing apples in holding, which is down from 2023-24, but up from the five-year average. Honeycrisp is fourth with 12,659,696 bushels of fresh and processing apples in holding, which is down from the 2023-24 and five-year average figures. Cosmic Crisp rounds out the top five with 12,447,619 bushels of apples in holding, which is up from both 2023-24 and the five-year average.
Fresh Farms of Rio Rico, AZ looks to continue its double-digit growth as the company transitions its extensive grape program from South America to Mexico in late April and then to California later this season.
The grower/shipper notes Mexico plays a crucial role in the company’s operations, as it provides the highest volume of grapes during the season.
A part of Grupo Molina, a family-owned company based in Hermosillo, Mexico, Fresh Farms also offers a wide variety of vegetables, including hard and soft squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, peppers and watermelons.
The company is placing a particular focus this year on tomatoes, with a significant increase in production, along with growth in other vegetable varieties, both organic and conventional.
Naturipe Farms has announced the ramp-up of shipments for Sweet Selections Blackberries, offering retailers a premium blackberry option.
These berries are grown in Mexico and feature sweet and large berries of the proprietary “Fenomenal” variety, developed through Naturipe’s breeding program.
With supplies increasing steadily through May, the company expects a consistent and reliable supply of Sweet Selections Blackberries, ensuring they can confidently meet customer demand with this premium product, the company said in a release.
Sweet Selections Blackberries are designed to meet the increasing demand for high-quality, sweet blackberries.
Persistent rain has cancelled harvesting in the Santa Maria/Oxnard, California, growing regions for Sunday, February 16 through Tuesday, February 18. Demand exceeds supply in all California growing regions, according to a news release from Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
The Santa Maria and Oxnard regions received almost two inches of rain in the last week. Suppliers did not harvest again until Wednesday, February 19.
Quality will be a challenge, with concerns including excessive bruising and pin rot.
Shippers will rely on transfers of Mexican-grown fruit to supplement California shipments through next week. Last week also saw days that were too rainy to harvest in the Santa Maria and Oxnard growing regions.
Mango producer and marketer Sembriexport is aiming to continue making strides in the Ecuadorian mango industry. With 1,606 producing acres and an additional 370 in development, the company is committed to fostering growth in Ecuador’s mango industry.
Last year was an off season with production of about 8 million boxes of mangoes. This year Ecuador is exporting a total of 15 million boxes.
The primary mango variety exported from Ecuador is Tommy Atkins, accounting for approximately 60% of shipments.
Two years ago, Ecuador’s exported 14 million boxes, with the recent increase coming from both higher production and the entry of new companies into the export market.
Sembriexport has exported 1.8 million boxes of mangoes this seaon with nearly all of its volume going to the U.S. This is in line with the national trend, as 97% of Ecuador’s mango exports are destined for the U.S., with the rest going to Canada and other countries.
Ecuadorian mango production has climbed from 12 million to 15 million boxes over the past six to seven years, reflecting a steady rise in Ecuador’s export business.
Since Peru, Mexico, and Brazil, compete in the same markets as Ecuador Sembriexport sees a need to export to other markets as well.
CASTROVILLE, CA– Ocean Mist Farms, North America’s leading grower and shipper of fresh artichokes, reports strong artichoke supplies from its winter growing region in Coachella, California.
“The quality looks good, and we expect ample supply of our seasonal Frost-Kissed artichokes over the next couple weeks,” said Commodity Account Manager, Ben Wilson.
Continuing, “This is a great opportunity for retailers to take advantage of these volumes and promote artichokes, especially sought-after Frost-Kissed® artichokes.”
Frosted artichokes develop their unique markings naturally when temperatures drop into the 30s °F or below, causing a slight blistering or darkening of the outer skin. Similar to a sunburn, this browning is purely cosmetic and peels away once cooked, revealing the familiar vibrant green artichoke.
The browning of the exterior petals in no way affects the eat-ability or quality of the artichoke, and actually enhances the nutty flavor, which many consumers prefer, making these winter gems a very desirable item that’s only available for a limited time.
About Ocean Mist Farms
Established in 1924, Ocean Mist Farms is a fourth-generation family-owned business located in Castroville, California. This company – the largest grower/shipper of fresh artichokes in No. America – celebrated their milestone 100-year anniversary in 2024. Committed to consistently delivering the highest standards in the industry for their Gold Standard artichokes, the company also offers a full line of 30+ premium fresh vegetable commodities and value-added products including their new award-winning Roastables Ready-to-Roast kits and Season & Steam lines.
Maersk has said that, even after the ceasefire agreement and the announcement from the Houthi organization to stop attacks on ships, the logistics organization will continue to avoid the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
Although Yemen’s Houthis said they would limit their attacks on the Red Sea corridor to only Israeli-affiliated ships after a ceasefire, uncertainty and tensions remain high.
The Houthis announcement was sent to shipping companies and other organizations last week.
The Danish company said the safety of its crew, vessels, and cargo is an utmost priority and that it will continue to sail around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope.
“Returning to the area without fully ensuring safe passage could result in our networks needing to be adjusted again, which would prove complicated both operationally and indeed for supply chain management,” the company added.
They also announced that the Gemini Cooperation and their East West network started phasing in via the Cape of Good Hope as planned on February 1, 2025.
Sun Pacific Marketing Cooperative Inc. of Pasadena, CA was launched in the Central San Joaquin Valley in 1969. It is looking forward to a good citrus shipping season this year.
The firm’s product line includes navel oranges, lemons, Cuties brand mandarins, Tinkled Pink cara cara oranges and Vintage Sweet heirloom navels.
Sun Pacific also has some organic citrus items, including navels and Cuties.
Organic citrus volume is up year compared to the same time last year, and is led by organic grapefruit, easy-peel mandarins and navel oranges.
Quality is reported excellent this season for most of the company’s items, although sizing for oranges and lemons will be a bit smaller than last year.
IRVINE, CA – The 2025 California avocado harvest is now projected to be in the range of 375 million pounds, which is the largest crop estimate for the locally grown fruit since 2020.
Recent extremely high winds in California slightly dampened very early season projections, but the industry is still optimistic for a particularly good season. Investment by California avocado growers who have increased planting of new trees and improved the average per acre yield is contributing to this optimism.
Fruit sizing and the actual harvest total will be influenced by natural factors, and growers are hoping for beneficial rain and sunshine to come. Meanwhile some growers started picking now in time to support Super Bowl promotions with retailers. However, peak availability of California avocados is expected to occur spring through summer this year.
About the California Avocado Commission
Created in 1978, the California Avocado Commission strives to enhance the premium positioning of California avocados through advertising, promotion and public relations, and engages in related industry activities. CAC represents about 3,000 growers in the Golden State. The California Avocado Commission serves as the official information source for the California avocado industry.
Mexico is currently experiencing extremely long border crossing delays into the U.S. at most entry points due to a scheduled customs system update this past weekend, according to Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
In a press release, the company reports crossing delays began Monday, February 10, as Mexican customs agents began having problems generating documents as a result of the update. A contingency plan is in place to clear loads and cross shipments; however, the process is very slow going.
The result is long truck lines on Wednesday, February 12, with reports of trucks waiting as long as eight hours at South Texas points of entry. Expect late shipments into the McAllen, Texas, area this week, and in some instances, products arriving into U.S. warehouses a day late.
Outbound produce shipments in major points of entry cities, such as Nogales, AZ, and McAllen, TX, will be delayed for the rest of this week. It’s recommended to notify domestic carriers of potential delays in advance.
In a recent apple holdings report, the U.S. Apple Association, notes the number of fresh apples in storage as of Feb. 1, 2025, is 92.7 million bushels, which is 5% less than inventories reported in February 2024 but still 12% more than the five-year average.
Gerlach said processing apples are also down 5% year over year at 37.5 million bushels, but still 8% higher than the five-year average.
Washington state still tops the list with 107,395,238 bushels of apples in holding. That number is down slightly from the 2023-24 season, but still higher than the five-year average, according to the report. The state moved 2,839,525 bushels of fresh apples in regular storage and 9,129,998 bushels of fresh apples in controlled-atmosphere storage.
New York is second with 10,282,460 bushels of apples in holding. That number is slightly higher than the 2023-24 season and higher than the five-year average. The state moved 247,163 bushels of fresh apples in regular storage and 327,749 bushels of fresh apples in controlled-atmosphere storage.
Michigan has 6,143,000 bushels of apples in holding, which is down from both 2023-24 and the five-year average. The state moved 39,528 bushels of fresh apples in regular storage and 1,936,749 bushels of fresh apples in controlled-atmosphere storage.
Gala tops the varieties in holding, with 19,396,774 bushels of fresh and processing apples, which is higher than the 2023-24 season and the five-year average. Red delicious is second with 17,068,616 bushels of fresh and processing apples in holding, which is down from 2023-24 and the five-year average.
Granny smith is third with 15,331,791 bushels of fresh and processing apples in holding, which is down from 2023-24, but up from the five-year average. Honeycrisp is fourth with 12,659,696 bushels of fresh and processing apples in holding, which is down from the 2023-24 and five-year average figures. Cosmic Crisp rounds out the top five with 12,447,619 bushels of apples in holding, which is up from both 2023-24 and the five-year average.
Fresh Farms of Rio Rico, AZ looks to continue its double-digit growth as the company transitions its extensive grape program from South America to Mexico in late April and then to California later this season.
The grower/shipper notes Mexico plays a crucial role in the company’s operations, as it provides the highest volume of grapes during the season.
A part of Grupo Molina, a family-owned company based in Hermosillo, Mexico, Fresh Farms also offers a wide variety of vegetables, including hard and soft squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, peppers and watermelons.
The company is placing a particular focus this year on tomatoes, with a significant increase in production, along with growth in other vegetable varieties, both organic and conventional.
Naturipe Farms has announced the ramp-up of shipments for Sweet Selections Blackberries, offering retailers a premium blackberry option.
These berries are grown in Mexico and feature sweet and large berries of the proprietary “Fenomenal” variety, developed through Naturipe’s breeding program.
With supplies increasing steadily through May, the company expects a consistent and reliable supply of Sweet Selections Blackberries, ensuring they can confidently meet customer demand with this premium product, the company said in a release.
Sweet Selections Blackberries are designed to meet the increasing demand for high-quality, sweet blackberries.
Persistent rain has cancelled harvesting in the Santa Maria/Oxnard, California, growing regions for Sunday, February 16 through Tuesday, February 18. Demand exceeds supply in all California growing regions, according to a news release from Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
The Santa Maria and Oxnard regions received almost two inches of rain in the last week. Suppliers did not harvest again until Wednesday, February 19.
Quality will be a challenge, with concerns including excessive bruising and pin rot.
Shippers will rely on transfers of Mexican-grown fruit to supplement California shipments through next week. Last week also saw days that were too rainy to harvest in the Santa Maria and Oxnard growing regions.
Mango producer and marketer Sembriexport is aiming to continue making strides in the Ecuadorian mango industry. With 1,606 producing acres and an additional 370 in development, the company is committed to fostering growth in Ecuador’s mango industry.
Last year was an off season with production of about 8 million boxes of mangoes. This year Ecuador is exporting a total of 15 million boxes.
The primary mango variety exported from Ecuador is Tommy Atkins, accounting for approximately 60% of shipments.
Two years ago, Ecuador’s exported 14 million boxes, with the recent increase coming from both higher production and the entry of new companies into the export market.
Sembriexport has exported 1.8 million boxes of mangoes this seaon with nearly all of its volume going to the U.S. This is in line with the national trend, as 97% of Ecuador’s mango exports are destined for the U.S., with the rest going to Canada and other countries.
Ecuadorian mango production has climbed from 12 million to 15 million boxes over the past six to seven years, reflecting a steady rise in Ecuador’s export business.
Since Peru, Mexico, and Brazil, compete in the same markets as Ecuador Sembriexport sees a need to export to other markets as well.
CASTROVILLE, CA– Ocean Mist Farms, North America’s leading grower and shipper of fresh artichokes, reports strong artichoke supplies from its winter growing region in Coachella, California.
“The quality looks good, and we expect ample supply of our seasonal Frost-Kissed artichokes over the next couple weeks,” said Commodity Account Manager, Ben Wilson.
Continuing, “This is a great opportunity for retailers to take advantage of these volumes and promote artichokes, especially sought-after Frost-Kissed® artichokes.”
Frosted artichokes develop their unique markings naturally when temperatures drop into the 30s °F or below, causing a slight blistering or darkening of the outer skin. Similar to a sunburn, this browning is purely cosmetic and peels away once cooked, revealing the familiar vibrant green artichoke.
The browning of the exterior petals in no way affects the eat-ability or quality of the artichoke, and actually enhances the nutty flavor, which many consumers prefer, making these winter gems a very desirable item that’s only available for a limited time.
About Ocean Mist Farms
Established in 1924, Ocean Mist Farms is a fourth-generation family-owned business located in Castroville, California. This company – the largest grower/shipper of fresh artichokes in No. America – celebrated their milestone 100-year anniversary in 2024. Committed to consistently delivering the highest standards in the industry for their Gold Standard artichokes, the company also offers a full line of 30+ premium fresh vegetable commodities and value-added products including their new award-winning Roastables Ready-to-Roast kits and Season & Steam lines.
Maersk has said that, even after the ceasefire agreement and the announcement from the Houthi organization to stop attacks on ships, the logistics organization will continue to avoid the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
Although Yemen’s Houthis said they would limit their attacks on the Red Sea corridor to only Israeli-affiliated ships after a ceasefire, uncertainty and tensions remain high.
The Houthis announcement was sent to shipping companies and other organizations last week.
The Danish company said the safety of its crew, vessels, and cargo is an utmost priority and that it will continue to sail around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope.
“Returning to the area without fully ensuring safe passage could result in our networks needing to be adjusted again, which would prove complicated both operationally and indeed for supply chain management,” the company added.
They also announced that the Gemini Cooperation and their East West network started phasing in via the Cape of Good Hope as planned on February 1, 2025.
Sun Pacific Marketing Cooperative Inc. of Pasadena, CA was launched in the Central San Joaquin Valley in 1969. It is looking forward to a good citrus shipping season this year.
The firm’s product line includes navel oranges, lemons, Cuties brand mandarins, Tinkled Pink cara cara oranges and Vintage Sweet heirloom navels.
Sun Pacific also has some organic citrus items, including navels and Cuties.
Organic citrus volume is up year compared to the same time last year, and is led by organic grapefruit, easy-peel mandarins and navel oranges.
Quality is reported excellent this season for most of the company’s items, although sizing for oranges and lemons will be a bit smaller than last year.
IRVINE, CA – The 2025 California avocado harvest is now projected to be in the range of 375 million pounds, which is the largest crop estimate for the locally grown fruit since 2020.
Recent extremely high winds in California slightly dampened very early season projections, but the industry is still optimistic for a particularly good season. Investment by California avocado growers who have increased planting of new trees and improved the average per acre yield is contributing to this optimism.
Fruit sizing and the actual harvest total will be influenced by natural factors, and growers are hoping for beneficial rain and sunshine to come. Meanwhile some growers started picking now in time to support Super Bowl promotions with retailers. However, peak availability of California avocados is expected to occur spring through summer this year.
About the California Avocado Commission
Created in 1978, the California Avocado Commission strives to enhance the premium positioning of California avocados through advertising, promotion and public relations, and engages in related industry activities. CAC represents about 3,000 growers in the Golden State. The California Avocado Commission serves as the official information source for the California avocado industry.
Mexico is currently experiencing extremely long border crossing delays into the U.S. at most entry points due to a scheduled customs system update this past weekend, according to Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA.
In a press release, the company reports crossing delays began Monday, February 10, as Mexican customs agents began having problems generating documents as a result of the update. A contingency plan is in place to clear loads and cross shipments; however, the process is very slow going.
The result is long truck lines on Wednesday, February 12, with reports of trucks waiting as long as eight hours at South Texas points of entry. Expect late shipments into the McAllen, Texas, area this week, and in some instances, products arriving into U.S. warehouses a day late.
Outbound produce shipments in major points of entry cities, such as Nogales, AZ, and McAllen, TX, will be delayed for the rest of this week. It’s recommended to notify domestic carriers of potential delays in advance.