Findings from a research program have shown that regular grape consumption is beneficial to heart, brain, skin, colon and immune health.
A study published in 2023 in scientific journal Food & Function that looked at the impact of regular grape consumption on biomarkers for eye health found that eating grapes for 16 weeks improved key markers for eye health in older adults, reports the California a Table Grape Commission of Fresno, CA.
Findings have been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Journal of Cancer Management and Research and Journal of Nutrition Research.
The California Table Grape Commission will focus on the health benefits of the Golden State’s table grapes as it launches its 2024-25 global marketing campaign, said Kathleen Nave, commission president.
The campaign, designed to drive demand for California table grapes, will target the U.S. and 21 export markets.
“Consumer research conducted in 2023 in the U.S. and 12 export markets showed that, in all markets, grape purchasers were motivated to purchase fresh grapes by knowing grapes have health benefits,” the commission noted. “Therefore, health messaging is a key component of the marketing campaign, and a new campaign focused on healthy snacking will launch with the new season.”
The commission is celebrating 25 years of its grape and health research program this year.
The California Table Grape Commission sees no reason why there shouild be good volume grape shipments though the end of the year. The season started in the Coachella Valley the week of May 13.
Hurricane Hilary hammered the grape crop last season, the industry during the peak harvest period, which caused a loss of about 30% of the initial projection for the crop. It was the smallest crop on record since 1994 for the state.
This year, the industry expects good volumes from June through the beginning of January.
The grape commission expects harvesting is to begin in the San Joaquin Valley in late June or early July, lasting into early December. Shipments of table grapes typically peak between August and November.
The initial estimate for the 2024 California table grape season is 94.4 million 19-pound boxes, down slightly from the 2020-2022 average of 96.6 million 19-pound boxes.
When thinking about the future of logistics, especially 3rd Party Logistics, I always stop and consider how analytics plays a role. Well, truth be told, they play a very large and important role in the success of the organization. Analytics help to mitigate risk, direct the need for forecasting accuracy, and drive cost efficiencies. At the end of the day all these things are important, but the biggest reason logistics companies use analytics is to meet ever-evolving customer expectations, underscoring the customer-centric approach of these companies.
Forecasting is a really hot topic in the logistics industry. Different types of organizations use all kinds of forecasting. Manufacturers use demand forecasts to set production schedules and manage inbound raw materials. This helps with routing guides and warehousing. “Through data analytics, logistics companies can identify and mitigate potential risks in the supply chain, such as disruption, delays and quality issues.” There is also a need for volume forecasts for RFPs (Request for Pricing) and pricing decisions. It seems like everyone in logistics wants some type of pricing forecast. Suppliers want forecast pricing to gauge budget levels, truckers want forecast pricing to help with asset placement, and third-party companies want forecast pricing to respond to RFPs and help indicate potential earning numbers.
With the increase in fraud in the logistics industry it is more important than ever to be on your toes when it comes to mitigating risk. Criminals are growing daily and are getting increasingly bold in their thirst to create havoc in the industry. They are using email addresses that closely resemble real company emails, cell phones that cannot be tracked, and teammates on the inside of suppliers to steal goods from warehouses and even steal entire trailers. When these trailers are found, they are empty, and the items are gone. They are targeting not just valuables like electronics but also loads of vacuum cleaners and clothing. These items are easily sold on the second-hand market. Analytics can be used to identify and utilize carriers with the appropriate level of insurance and vendors with good ratings.
Customers, suppliers, and logistics organizations will continue to rely on analytics to improve efficiencies, grow profits, and create forecasting to meet customers’ ever-changing expectations. With the transportation industry being a moving target, investing in in-house analytics is a great solution to streamline data and adapt to market trends.
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Michael Patrick started with the Allen Lund Company in January 2018 as a senior business analyst. He has over 25 years of third-party logistics and supply chain management experience. Patrick has a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from Winthrop University and a Masters in Business Administration from The Citadel.
Florida avocado growers are predicting for the new season volume similar are slightly above a year ago as they gear up for the 2024-25 harvest.
The Avocado Administrative Committee of Florida estimate final production totals for the 2023-24 season will total 21,235 metric tons, down 6.6% from the 2022-23 season.
Florida’s avocado season typically runs from June through December, with some available in January, said Peter Leifermann, vice president of sales and marketing for Homestead, Fla.-based Brooks Tropicals.
Brooks Tropicals of Homestead, FL begins harvest this week and expects a good crop.
The offseason has been abnormally dry and hot, but no wind damage has occurred and this should result in excellent quality.
Brooks Tropicals grows about 30 different varieties of tropical avocados in about 1,200 acres of groves.
J&C Tropicals of Doral, FLexpects to start harvesting around the Fourth of July, which would be a normal start. The company also expects great quality for this season.
J&C Tropicals sources green-skin avocados from a number of local farmers and will have Florida avocados until January.
New Limeco of Homestead, FL expects to be shipping avocados through March. It grows several varieties of green-skin avocados in Florida.
Florida growers say they produce a distinctive avocado, with the primary difference between Florida avocados and avocados from California or Mexico is the fat content.
Florida avocados have about 3 grams compared to 4.6 grams of fat for hass avocados.
The size, taste and productivity also are different.
The average Florida avocado weighs over 1 pound per piece and has a milder taste than other avocados.
The California stone fruit season kicked off in early May with available apricots, nectarines, and peaches.
Organically Grown Co. (OGC) of Eugene, OR reported they had stronger volumes of peaches by mid-May.
Cool nights have provided excellent color, as well as good sugar-to-acid ratios, which results in sweet and juicy fruit.
Overall, growers report the weather has been very good this season, which allowed the harvest to start about a week earlier.
Most California stone fruit is in season between May and mid-September, with plums going a bit longer until October.
Last year, California stone fruit hit the peak of its season in mid-August.
California produces more than 80% of the nation’s stone fruit.
70% of America’s peaches are grown in the state, along with 95% of apricots, 95% of fresh plums, and 99% of nectarines. With some counties in the Central Valley devoting as many as 38,000 acres to stone fruit production, California is known as the stone fruit state.
At a national level, the USDA said in September 2023 U.S. production in 2023-24 is forecast down 76,000 tons to 574,000 the lowest level in at least 40 years.
The projection was due to the three largest producer states ‐ California, South Carolina, and Georgia ‐ all experiencing damaging weather, with South Carolina and Georgia suffering from a second consecutive year of destructive freezes.
Woman with cart choosing fresh sweet yellow peppers in a supermarket, family shopping. Female customer in shop, buyer in market
A new study from Finland has examined the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and sleep duration — and the results are mixed.
Both short and longer sleepers reported consuming fewer fruits and vegetables than normal sleepers, the study shows.
The study, according to the research abstract, examined the association between sleep duration and fruit and vegetable consumption among Finnish adults, considering the role of demographic, socio-economic and chronotype as confounders.
Participants in the study reported their habitual sleep duration and dietary consumption through a validated self-administered questionnaire, the abstract said. The study evaluated data from the “National FinHealth 2017 Study” involving 5,043 adults aged 18 years and above.
Average dietary consumption was compared across three sleep duration categories: short, normal and long. The data revealed short sleepers consumed 37 grams (about 1.3 ounces) per day fewer fruits and vegetables than normal sleepers, while long sleepers consumed 73 grams (almost 2.6 ounces) per day fewer fruits and vegetables than normal sleepers.
“Specifically, short sleep was significantly associated with lower consumption of total fruits and vegetables, green leafy vegetables, root vegetables, and fruit vegetables, with similar patterns observed for long sleepers,” the abstract said.
“In conclusion, this study suggests a consistent pattern where deviation from normal sleep duration was associated with decreased fruit and vegetable consumption, suggesting the need for considering sleep patterns in dietary intervention,” the abstract said.
Researchers said more studies are needed to study the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and sleep duration.
Peak avocado exports for the Columbian traviesa season is occurring and will continue to do so through June. However, the season takes place from April through August for the country, which is a global supplier of hass avocados, the Colombian Avocado Board reports.
Currently during the peak of this season, the U.S. market can expect arrivals of more than 50 containers a week of avocados from Colombia, with volume decreasing gradually over the course of the season, according to a news release.
The growth of the Colombian avocado market comes on the heels of continued year-over-year increases of double and triple digits and maturity of the Colombian growing regions. Today, more than a dozen packing sheds and more than 400 growers are certified to ship hass avocados to the U.S. market, the Colombia Avocado Board says.
Colombian avocados are available year-round and due to the region’s tropical climate and have varied blooms and harvest times with two distinct harvest seasons. The seasons include the traviesa season and the main season that runs September to January.
Colombia has produced and distributed avocados for decades, however, the growth and popularity of Colombian avocados has expanded due to access to U.S. market starting in 2018 along with expanding country infrastructure improvements, the Colombia Avocado Board said. “The 2023 season concluded with its highest shipment totals ever, exceeding 32 million pounds. For 2024, shipments are projected to increase by over 50%, reaching a total volume of 50 million pounds for the entire year.”
Fort Valley, GA — As nut products continue to show strong growth in the snack category, flavored pecans have emerged as a consumer favorite, driving intentional and impulse sales at grocers, convenience stores and retailers.
Pecan Nation and South Georgia Pecan Company, both multi-generational Georgia pecan companies, have recently joined forces in a move that will expand production, ensure quality, and increase efficiencies to better serve their retail partners and foster continued growth.
Georgia is the largest supplier of pecans in the nation – producing one-third of the pecans enjoyed in the U.S. each year. Pecan Nation has been a leader in growing and marketing pecans for over five generations. South Georgia Pecan, which operates facilities in Georgia and Texas, is the largest pecan sheller in the world, and has developed proprietary processes for developing and processing flavored pecans.
“Combining forces with South Georgia Pecan is a massive boost for our brand because it enables us to continue evolving and expanding, while remaining true to the rich history of our delicious pecans,” said Will McGehee, Partner, Pecan Nation. “We think this is a model other farming companies will be interested in as it allows each company to bring its strengths to the partnership, creating an operational juggernaut that will allow us to effectively compete with large CPG companies.”
The partnership between these two industry powerhouses creates a best-in-class collaboration where growers are more closely tied to processors to deliver unrivaled quality products to grocery, convenience and hardware stores as well as other untapped channels.
This total category approach expands Pecan Nation’s capabilities, positioning them to proactively introduce a variety of innovative snacks to the category, and more nimbly react to the needs dictated by the market. The added capacity ensures a consistently available supply of healthy, flavorful snacks.
“Since its inception, Pecan Nation has been emphatic about having the most flavorful pecans around,” said Duke Lane III, Partner, Pecan Nation. “Our partnership with South Georgia Pecan allows our brand to remain at the forefront of flavor and innovation while keeping our pecans affordable and always available for consumers.”
“I’ve known the people at Pecan Nation for years and long admired their work and impact on this industry,” said Jeff Worn, President and CEO, South Georgia Pecan Company. “They have an ambitious vision for our industry and Pecan Nation has changed the game by moving pecans from being primarily a baking ingredient to becoming a significant part of the snack category. Our businesses are well aligned with similar business values, and by coming together, we will elevate Pecan Nation into the undisputed leader of pecans for the snack nut category.”
“This alliance underscores Pecan Nation’s approach and exemplifies the collaborative spirit that we bring to our retail and distributing partners every day,” said Nick Quast, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Pecan Nation. “Today we are available across 15,000 outlets, and our partnership with South Georgia Pecan allows us to strategically build out a larger footprint in the snacking category while staying true to the quality of our pecans.”
As the No. 1 snacking pecan brand with a more than 25% three-year CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate), Pecan Nation can be found online and in snacking aisles at thousands of grocery, convenience and hardware stores around the country. The alignment of Pecan Nation and South Georgia Pecan bridges a divide between the grower, processor, and marketer enabling both companies to bring an unsurpassed level of expertise and industry history together under the Pecan Nation name.
For more information on Pecan Nation visit ThePecanNation.com. For more information on South Georgia Pecan Company visit GeorgiaPecan.com.
About Pecan Nation: Pecan Nation has been growing, harvesting and cooking America’s native nut for five generations, perfecting our process along the way to bring consumers the tastiest pecans around. We offer our delicious pecans in a variety of sweet and savory flavors as well as multiple convenient pack sizes that everyone can enjoy for any occasion. All products are available at ThePecanNation.com, on Amazon, and in snacking aisles at grocery, convenience and hardware stores around the country.
About South Georgia Pecan: Celebrating over a century in business, South Georgia Pecan attributes its longevity to continuous adaptation and innovation within our ever-evolving industry. We are more than just pecans; our commitment to excellence, profound industry knowledge, and extensive experience are evident from the initial customer interaction. Tradition resonates deeply in our values, reflected in how we cherish relationships with growers and customers alike. Experience the exceptional flavors and quality of SGP at our website, georgiapecan.com.
The first vessel carrying South African summer citrus, the MSC Houston, is delivering the fruit from Capetown, South Africa, and is expected to arrive in the U.S. at the Port of Philadelphia this week. Weekly shipments will continue through the end of October, according to a news release. The shipping season launches with clementines followed by navel oranges and star ruby grapefruit.
As of the conclusion of the 2023 season, South African citrus exporters marked 25 years of shipping fruit to the U.S., and what’s more, shipments of citrus fruit from South Africa have more than doubled since 2019, according to a news release.
“We are officially 25 years on the sunny side and commencing into our 26th season with a healthy crop of sweet and delicious citrus fruit headed to the port of Philadelphia in the coming days and more to come throughout the summer months,” Suhanra Conradie, CEO of Summer Citrus from South Africa, said in the release.
“We are serving one of the world’s most demanding markets, and adapting to the current state of the supply chain on any given day is a key factor of our business model. We have gained much momentum with our collaborative approach and intend to keep it going in 2024,” Conradie said.
Summer Citrus from South Africa says it is positioned well to sustain shipping options to cater to the overall growth of the program, splitting its volumes equally between dedicated conventional vessels and container vessels in the Port of Philadelphia. The team’s group of focused service providers span the total supply chain in the U.S. and South Africa.
“I intend to stay in contact throughout our summer with shipping, supply chain and production updates via our Trade Newsletter, which is meant to be shared,” Conradie said. “Any stakeholder seeking to stay in close contact with our program is invited to subscribe.”
The summer season is right around the corner, and the Westside Produce of Firebaugh, CA and Classic Fruit Alliance is anticipating a strong start to their Arizona and California domestic melon harvests, following a successful offshore Guatemalan season. Initial shipments from Arizona started in mid-May.
“2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year,” notes Garrett Patricio, President of Westside Produce. “Entering its second full year, the Westside/Classic Alliance is planning to service more year-round customers through its growing programs. Spring plantings in Arizona were on time, and we expect a bountiful harvest….through June, which coincides well with wrapping up the import season and transitioning customers to domestic supplies. Summer plantings in California have navigated the rainy season well and with increased heat units, will provide a fantastic early-July start on the Westside of the valley.”
With a strong planting start, the alliance is also excited to introduce new varieties and specialty type melons, alongside their traditional supplies. “We are eager to present our new Golden Honeydew to our domestic programs, allowing us the opportunity to supply additional customers with new varieties as well as the trialing of additional specialty melons,” states Tommy Conrado, VP of West Coast Sales at Classic Fruit. “Continuing to serve customers with our traditional cantaloupe and honeydew melons as well as being able to provide them with more options based on variety or specialty, all with excellent quality and flavor profiles, continues to add to our alliance value of providing melons all year long, 52 weeks a year.”
“All in all, assuming yields stay consistent with past years, we expect marketable supplies with increased contract business providing a solid foundation for our overall program,” continues Garrett Patricio. “As we wrap up the offshore season with Classic Guatemala, which produced excellent quality fruit all winter long, we are excited to kickstart harvest out here in the West for the domestic spring/summer season.”
