Per-capita availability of U.S. fresh blueberries and raspberries at the retail level has more than doubled in the past decade, according to USDA data.
From 2010 to 2019, per-capita availability of blueberries at retail has grown from 1 pound to 2.1 pounds, a twofold-plus gain. During the same period, per-capita retail availability of raspberries has also more than doubled, from 0.3 pounds in 2010 to 0.80 pounds in 2019.
Strawberries still represent the most widely consumed fresh berry, with the USDA reporting 5.3 pounds retail per capita in 2019.
However, that number is down about 19% from 6.6 pounds in 2010, the USDA said.
Per-capita consumption of blueberries from 2010 to 2019, in pounds, was:
2010: 1.0;
2011: 1.2;
2012: 1.2;
2013: 1.3;
2014: 1.4;
2015: 1.5;
2016: 1.6;
2017: 1.6;
2018: 1.8; and
2019: 2.1.
Per-capita consumption of fresh raspberries from 2010 to 2019, in pounds, was:
2010: 0.2;
2011: 0.3;
2012: 0.3;
2013: 0.3;
2014: 0.7;
2015: 0.8;
2016: 0.7;
2017: 0.8;
2018: 0.7; and
2019: 0.8.
Per-capita consumption of strawberries from 2010 to 2019, in pounds, was:
Oppy is ready for the Orchard View cherry season which has just got underway from The Dalles, OR. While other cherry growers in the area apparently have reduced crops from Oregon, the Orchard View, located on the Columbia River is more fortunate this season.
Orchard View pointed out in The Dalles, there is a microclimate in the hillsides of the Columbia River Gorge protecting the company from a cold snap and encourages bees to migrate and pollinate as they sense warmer weather.
The harvest just started within the past week, and shipments will continue through July.
Last year Oppy expanded its import stone fruit program from Chile, Argentina and New Zealand, doubling volumes to cater to increasing market demand. With nearly year-round availability, cherry offerings are available May through January for the second time.
Growing, marketing and distributing fresh produce from around the globe for more than 160 years, Oppy of Vancouver, BC has over 50 million boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables grown on every continent moving through its supply chain annually It also offers popular favorites from avocados and berries to apples and oranges year-round, alongside innovative seasonal specialties. Over the years, Oppy has introduced North Americans to a number of items across its diverse produce range, including Granny Smith, JAZZ and Envy apples, as well as green and gold kiwifruit.
Tucked away on protected hillsides along the Columbia River Gorge, Orchard View Cherries grow plump and flavorful. For four generations, the Bailey family has perfected the art of cherry growing.
The company has 14,000 tons of cherry varieties grown annually on over 3,200 acres. Orchard View is unique in that it grows only cherries, unlike many other producers in the region who grow numerous other items, so it can channel specific into cherry production.
Cape Town South Africa – Summer Citrus from South Africa (SCSA) announces the start of its 2022 season with the arrival of its first conventional vessel to the U.S. this week.
The vessel will arrive at PhilaPort, The Port of Philadelphia and contain 3,900 pallets of Clementines and Navel Oranges. Based on market demand, Easy Peelers are now the largest portion of SCSA’s product offering accounting for almost 50% of planned shipments this season.
“Quality of fruit this season is excellent, and volumes are on-par with what we anticipated,” said Suhanra Conradie, CEO of Summer Citrus from South Africa. “Retailers should be prepped, stocked and ready for the busy citrus demand this summer.”
This season does not come without its challenges. Due to logistics and supply-chain hurdles, SCSA is unable to ship containers directly to Packer Avenue, Philadelphia, which would have accounted for almost 30% of shipments for the summer.
“It is no secret that there are issues with the supply chain and logistics, however our sophisticated business model ensures that we are prepared and able to adjusts plans as needed,” said Conradie.
To offset some of the logistical problems, SCSA will be loading a few additional conventional vessels with containers that will be shipped via Port Newark in New Jersey. Additionally, some of the larger importers will be adding the Port of Savannah, GA as the point of entry for containers from Capetown.
“We are thankful to all of our business and logistics partners who make every season possible AND successful,” concluded Conradie.
For more information and to stay up-to-date on citrus from South Africa, subscribe to the newsletter by filling outthis form or for more information, please visitwww.summercitrus.com.
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About Summer Citrus from South Africa (SCSA)
Summer Citrus from South Africa represents a group of South African citrus growers who consolidate their logistics, marketing and sales efforts to bring the finest citrus fruit to market during the U.S. summer season. Established in 1999 and re-branded for expanded marketing efforts in 2016, the group provides Navels, Midknights, East Peelers, Star Ruby Grapefruit and Cara-Cara oranges for the U.S. market. For more information about Summer Citrus from South Africa, visitwww.summercitrus.com and visit the brand’sFacebook,Instagram andTwitter pages.
FOLSOM, Calif. – A new research study published in Nutrients finds that blueberries have cognitive benefits. More specifically, the equivalent of a half cup of fresh blueberries per day, consumed as freeze-dried blueberry powder, was found to help middle-aged individuals against cognitive decline when implemented early in at-risk individuals.1
This is an important finding given that in the United States, nearly six million older adults live with dementia. Since limited treatments for cognitive decline exist, preventative approaches and mitigation of risk through proper nutrition are of increasing importance. Given that neurodegenerative changes associated with cognitive decline start in midlife, this research indicates that blueberries may present an opportunity for early intervention, by targeting modifiable risks like poor nutrition and related metabolic disturbance.
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, “Blueberry Supplementation in Midlife for Dementia Risk Reduction,” looked at the impact of blueberry supplementation to produce measurable cognitive benefits in the context of aging and insulin resistance. Participants were overweight men and women 50 to 65 years old with subjective cognitive decline and moderate insulin resistance. Over the course of 12 weeks, participants were randomly assigned to consume either freeze-dried blueberry powder or placebo powder daily. Participants were asked to consume the powder with either their morning or evening meal, mixing it with water. Pre-and post-intervention assessments of cognition and metabolism and exploratory measures of peripheral mitochondrial function were conducted.
The blueberry group experienced improved performances on measures of lexical access, such as letter fluency as measured by the Controlled Word Association task, improved performances on measures of memory interference, such as fewer recall intrusion errors as measured by the California Verbal Learning Test and reduced memory eroding difficulty in daily life activities, such as reduction of forgetfulness, as measured by the Everyday Memory Questionnaire. The blueberry group also experienced correction of peripheral hyperinsulinemia, which is associated with neurodegeneration in the brain, as well as a significant decline in fasting insulin levels.2
Based on these findings, the study authors suggest that the potential mechanisms for these findings may be associated with anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, the bioactive flavonoid compounds found in blueberries responsible for their vibrant blue color. Importantly, these results provide support that blueberries may induce metabolic and other benefits that could serve as an early intervention for preventing the cognitive decline associated with aging.
“This is the first study of its kind to look at blueberry supplementation in middle-aged individuals at risk for future health problems and late-life dementia,” said Robert Krikorian, PhD, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center and the study’s lead investigator. “Importantly, this research provides evidence that blueberry supplementation can improve cognitive function and correct high insulin levels in these participants with prediabetes.”
The study, which was supported by funding from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, builds on previous research in this area, which has demonstrated improvement in long-term memory performance with blueberry supplementation in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.3 It also supports previous research that found an association between blueberry consumption and improved metabolic function in at risk individuals, such as an improvement in insulin sensitivity.4
Further research is needed to look at blueberry supplementation over a longer time period, with a more robust sample size. Additionally, longitudinal cognitive assessments would be of value to assess the influence of blueberries on the progression of cognitive decline and to more thoroughly investigate the mechanisms of neurocognitive benefit.
“While further studies are warranted, our results provide novel and exciting data regarding the potential of blueberry supplementation as a preventive intervention,” said Krikorian.
With Brain Health Month on the horizon in June, tailored resources from USHBC are available now in the Brain Health toolkit, including ready-made social media content and digital ads, tip sheets, a research deep-dive (including this study), mouthwatering recipes, eye-popping blueberry images and more.
The USHBC had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, or writing of the study. For more information on blueberry nutrition research visit blueberrycouncil.org/health-professionals/health-research/.
About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is an agriculture promotion group, representing blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. The blueberry industry is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at blueberry.org.
Sunkist Growers, a cooperative based in Valencia, CA is once again shipping valencias, the only U.S. grown orange variety available in the summer months. It also hasother summer citrus varieties, including star ruby grapefruit and lemons.
Steady shipments of valencia oranges is seen by the co-op throughout the summer coming from its thousands of grower members across California and Arizona who supply nearly 40 different citrus varieties annually.
California star ruby grapefruit is available now through July, and marsh ruby grapefruit will make its seasonal debut in July.
The company has been selling USDA-certified organic citrus for over 15 years. It has a consistent supply of conventional and organic citrus through the summer and year-round.
The Sunkist organic program includes oranges, lemons, grapefruit, mandarins and tangelos. Also part of the mix are organic navel, cara cara and blood oranges, minneola tangelos, California mandarins and valencia oranges.
Peruvian fresh asparagus continues to enjoy a prominent place in the U.S. market. In 2021, U.S. imports from Peru increased 9% over the previous year, according to USDA statistics, to 224,871,286 pounds. Ranked as a principal source country for fresh asparagus, Peruvian imports account for almost US $274 million annually.
At the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association’s (PAIA) May 12, 2022 meeting, members discussed industry topics and other points related to the continued supply from Peru. “As a significant source of fresh asparagus, Peruvian supply contributes to keeping U.S. retail and foodservice stocked with a consistent, quality supply of this fantastic product,” says Walter Yager of Alpine Fresh in Doral, Florida, and Co-Chair of PAIA. “Our upcoming supplies look excellent and should allow for great promotional and sales opportunities.”
Yager and Co-Chair Jay Rodriguez of Crystal Valley Foods in Miami, Florida, will continue leading PAIA during 2022 and 2023, providing consistency for the association’s vision and activities. “Peru is a significant contributor to the U.S. consumer’s table and we want to ensure an uninterrupted supply of this nutritious item,” says Rodriguez. “For over 20 years, our association has been dedicated to improving trade in Peruvian asparagus. It’s such an important vegetable for our customers, both retail and foodservice, and for consumers as well.”
The association will focus efforts in 2022 on working with trade press, supermarkets and consumers to education more about the benefits of fresh asparagus. As U.S. consumers look for alternative, interesting, and healthy products, the association anticipates increasing consumption and demand for fresh asparagus in 2022.
The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association (PAIA) is an organization of US companies involved in the trade of importing fresh Peruvian asparagus within North America. We are committed to improving the process and present a united forum through which dialogue and progress is achieved. We represent the industry to the trade and focus on issues of political and logistical importance.
As new research confirms that COVID-19 has made people more health-conscious, the potato is trending again with shoppers, scientists and the media. Recent stories in major media outlets such as Today and Parade remind consumers that potatoes are “loaded with nutrients like vitamin C, potassium and B6 and fiber” are “uber-healthy.”
Part of the renewed popularity of potatoes may be an increasing focus on health and fresh food. According to World Economic Forum, recent studies showed that 62% of Americans believe their health is more important than before the pandemic. Additionally, shoppers surveyed in a Post COVID trend study by Deloitte showed shoppers are planning to buy more fresh food and cook more than they did before the pandemic.
While potatoes (white potatoes in particular) are known for their high levels of Potassium and Vitamin C, fiber may be the most compelling reason to stock up on spuds. In addition to the traditional gastrointestinal benefits, fiber can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, reflux, and diverticulitis. Potatoes also contain prebiotic fiber, which is crucial for feeding and sustaining beneficial gut bacteria. All of this is good news for the potato, and the potato is good news for consumers.
While the ‘healthy gut’ discussion is not new, scientists have found that the gut microbiome has a critical role in overall health and wellbeing. Studies by the Unilever Future Health and Wellness team focused on the effects of plant-based diets on the gut microbiome, suggest it can have a positive impact on mental wellbeing, sleep, healthy aging, growth and development, immunity.”
Considered mood-boosting comfort foods, ‘healthy carbohydrates’ such as potatoes can help restore serotonin levels and prevent blood sugar and insulin surges.
“It’s good to see potatoes getting the recognition they deserve,” said Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network. “Whether consumers are embracing a plant-based or whole food diet, or just looking for a healthier way of eating, the potato is a powerful, economical, nutrient-dense, and delicious food.”
South Carolina watermelon shipments got underway in May and North Carolina is joining the watermelon season ramping up this month.
Totaling about 2,500 truckloads in 2021, South Carolina’s red-flesh seedless watermelon crop represents one of the state’s biggest fresh produce crops.
The USDA reported shipments in 2021 of South Carolina red-flesh seedless watermelon beginning in May and ending in August. After minor volume in May, June shipments accounted for 39% of annual volume. July saw peak volume, with about 59% of the annual volume shipped.
In 2021, shipments of South Carolina red-flesh seeded watermelon were active in June and July, with reported shipments of about 33 (40,000 pound) truckloads. Shipments in June accounted for about 80% of 2021 volume.
In the 2021 South Carolina had an estimated watermelon harvested area of about 3,800 acres and production of 1.33 million cwt. The crop yielded $13.4 per cwt, for a total value of $17.75 million.
In North Carolina, the USDA reported that 2021 red-flesh seedless watermelon shipments totaled 4,503 truckloads.
2021 shipments for North Carolina red-flesh seedless watermelons began in June and concluded in October.
The percentage of annual watermelon shipments in 2021 were: June (less than 1%), July (40%), August (54%), September (5%) and October (1%).
North Carolina’s red-flesh seeded watermelon shipments mustered 236 truckloads, with volume reported in July (70% of annual volume) and August (30%).
North Carolina’s harvested watermelon acreage was reported at 9,300 acres in 2021, with the total crop production at 2.5 million cwt valued at $36 million.
Good growing conditions is resulting in fruit and vegetable shipments originating from a number of areas in Georgia.
Baker Farms in Norman Park, GA., focuses primarily on leafy green growing and shipping. Collards are the biggest crop, followed by kale, but other products include cilantro, beets and Swiss chard.
The farm grows year-round, though in July and August sources product from North Carolina, Ohio and Michigan, because of the heat in Georgia. Baker’s produce ships across the country to retail and wholesale accounts and to Canada, though most of it stays on the East Coast.
The company reports this year is shaping up well, with better weather than last year.
At G&R Farms in Glennville, GA this year’s good weather has improved the quality of its sweet onions – Vidalias and Peruvian sweet. G&R reports a 15% to 20% increase in yields on a couple of fields.
Shuman Farms of Reidsville, GA grows, packs and ships Vidalia onions in Reidsville, as well as in Texas, Mexico and Peru. The company is one of the largest Vidalia shippers and harvests 2,350 of the 10,000 acres harvested by the industry. Shuman ships to retailers across the U.S.
The company notes its storages are full and expects good availability throughout the rest of the spring and summer.
Bland Farms, Glennville, GA., also grows a lot of onions, primarily Vidalia, Peru sweet onions and Mexican sweet onions. Bland reports a good harvest this season.
The grower/shipper also produces sweet potatoes in partnership with Sand Candy. This partnership will allow the company to provide customers with a consistent and secure supply of sweet potatoes due to its diversified growing areas in North Carolina and Georgia.
Agriculture is a big factor in the economy of Georgia. In 2020, it contributed $69.4 billion in output to the state’s $1.1 trillion economy. Vegetables contributed 10.1% of that; and fruit and nuts 6.0%, according to the Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development at the University of Georgia in Athens.
On the vegetable side, sweet corn contributes the most to the economy (14.0%), followed by watermelons (12.8%), onions (10.8%), bell peppers (10.8%) and cucumbers 6.4%).
And while Georgia may be known for its peaches, it’s blueberries that provide the most dollars to the state’s $2.2 billion fruit economy. The tiny berries make up 42.4% of the whole, followed by pecans (41.5%), peaches (38.5%), grapes (8.7%) and blackberries (3.7%).
With scores of farms — almost 42,500 — and a lot of farmland (almost 10 million acres), Georgia’s produce grows year-round, though with a dip in the hottest months of July and August.
A drought can adversely affect many sides of the supply chain industry, in particular, produce.
In areas that rely on rainfall for agricultural production, a drought can reduce crop harvest numbers and greatly affect farm profitability. Droughts can also affect the amount of snowfall and water flow needed for diversions to transport water to irrigated farmlands. These nfluences can lead to undesirable outcomes across all levels of the economy.
On a local level, farm income is reduced and the food processing sector is negatively impacted. On a national level, produce experiences price increases. The drought the Western U.S. is now experiencing has a lot to do with climate change and has had an enormous bearing on the agricultural industry. In particular, the Southwestern states of California and Arizona, where about two-thirds of the country’s vegetables, fruits and nuts are produced.
According to the California Department of Food & Agriculture, “California alone averages $50 billion in annual revenue in the agriculture industry.” In the past year, the drought has caused a $1.2 billion direct loss in California agriculture.
The snowfall in Nevada and Colorado mountains are a big contributor to the Colorado River, but with hotter weather in recent years, the snow melts a lot sooner in the year. This has consequently led to snowmelt contributing less and less water with each succeeding year.
The Colorado River is the core of the Southwest. Since the 1920s it has been providing water and power to seven states, including the 30 Native American tribes that reside in the Colorado River Basin. Until recently, the river has been running dry due to the severe drought. Lake Powell and Lake Mead are amongst the largest reservoirs in the United States. In 2000 they were full, but today only sit at 30% capacity, according to Brad Udall at Colorado State University.
Out of major concern, the water leaders in Arizona, Nevada and California signed an infamous drought agreement in 2019 that allows states to cut back on water usage. This cut back has been a huge strain on communities in California and Arizona, shrinking water supplies to tens of millions of people and farms that produce 90% of the country’s green leafed vegetables. Cruel evidence can be seen in Pinal County in Arizona, where acres of once planted land now lay unplanted, deserted by their previous farmers. Farmers fear that a decline in farm productivity, as a result of water shortages, will result in less profit for them.
A consequence of higher costs to maintain water supplies, will lead to higher produce prices for consumers across the country.
“This production increase in costs is affecting local governments as well as workers who transport food products.”, said Danny Merkley, director of water resources for the California Farm Bureau. Dwindling wells and dried up canals from less ground water to go around prompted President Joe Biden to sign the bipartisan infrastructure bill in November. The bill will help provide several billion dollars to Arizona and California farms.
With produce season around the corner, only time will tell which direction this year’s produce season should follow. The produce season in the Southwest will depend on the elasticity of supply and demand. What is certain, though, is this drought is harming our farmlands and as a result we need to better conserve our water usage. If we do not, we’ll find ourselves in an even tighter supply chain.
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Jenilee Curley is a transportation broker in the ALC Phoenix office. She attended Arizona State University and received a degree in Supply Chain Management, before obtaining a Master’s in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Mathematics from Grand Canyon University.
