Chilean avocado growers are expected to export similar to volume to that exported during the past two seasons.
The Chilean Avocado Importers Association of San Carlos, CA reports about 65 million pounds of avocados will be exported to the U.S. during the 2019-20 season .
Shipments have started within the past week.
The U.S. is Chile’s second-largest export market for avocados following Europe. Peak volume will come later this month and continue into early 2020.
These will include programs with partners like Pandora, Mind Body Green, Tasty and Hulu.
Broccoli has won for the second consecutive year in Green Giant’s annual poll of Americans’ favorite vegetable,
More than 5,000 consumers, from ages 13 to 73, took the frozen/canned vegetables company’s survey, and broccoli placed first in 39 states. The results were released in connection with National Eat Your Vegetables Day earlier this year, according to a news release.
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Here are some interesting findings from the survey, which was open-ended, letting consumers choose any vegetable:
Potatoes ranked first only in Arkansas, a loss of four states from last year;
Of the 7 states choosing corn, Iowa wasn’t included. (Yes sweet corn and field corn are vastly different, but still …);
Despite the juicing craze that’s boosted celery prices to new heights, the fad didn’t elevate the stalk to the top in any state;
Cucumbers did not carry a single state, unlike in 2018, when New Mexico and Louisiana residents chose them above other vegetables; and
The “orange” candidate: Nevada and North Dakota opted for carrots;
Asparagus led Alaska polling and cauliflower was the favorite in Montana, the first times for both vegetables.
The survey, conducted through Suzy, a company that offers an online consumer insights platform, took place April 26-May 10, according to the release.
U.S. pumpkin loadings have gotten underway across North America with peak shipments coming later in September and October.
The 2017 U.S. Census of Agriculture reported a total of 93,563 acres of pumpkins were harvested from 15,224 farms that year, up from 90,165 acres harvested from 15,840 farms in 2012.
Fresh market pumpkin acres harvested in 2017 totaled 75,341.
Bay Baby Produce Inc. of Mount Vernon, WA., began harvest of pumpkins and ornamental squash in mid-August. The initial pickings were for pie pumpkins for bulk shipments and painting, followed by wee be little pumpkins. Those can be sold as-is and also painted. This is followed by later varieties including the long-stem ornamental tiger stripe, casper and sparkler pumpkins.
Bay Baby Produce ships from its Washington state farm to all parts of the U.S. and also exports to Canada, Taiwan and Japan. The company reports retail buyers are buying pumpkins earlier in the season due to demand.
At Wallendal Farms of Grand Marsh, WI, the firm will start its pumpkin harvest this week.
Schmieding Produce Co. LLC, Springdale, Ark., is expecting normal volume in early September.
Schmieding sells mostly to retail but also ships to some distributors and some pumpkin patches.
The company offers ornamental heirloom varieties, including cinderella and fairy tale pumpkins in addition to the standard jack-o-lantern pumpkins.
Normal volume of Florida avocado shipments are expected this season following a down year caused primarily by Hurricane Irma.
Florida shippers are expected to load about 800,000 bushels of green-skin avocados between June and April.
Last year’s crop was reduced by about 40 percent as a result of the hurricane.
Brooks Tropicals of Homestead, FL ships about 40 percent of that volume, which has a trademark on the name SlimCado for its green-skin avocados, which are hydrocooled to extend shelf life. The name was selected at least in part because SlimCados are promoted by the company to have less fat and fewer calories than hass avocados.
They are shipped from Florida starting in June and continuing through March. Additionally, they are sourced from the Dominican Republic between October and May.
While the majority of SlimCados are shipped to markets in the South and on the East Coast, more of the fruit is going to markets in the west.
J&C Tropicalsl of Miami gland normal avocado shipments once again. The company reports July and August as two the biggest months for volume, with good volume to continue through December.
J&C Tropicals, which ships the fruit nationally, will start bringing in similar varieties from the Dominican Republic in the fall.
Florida avocados are bigger than hass, weighing on average about 1 pound.
Comstock Park, Mich. – Michigan-based Heeren Bros., Inc., and Walsma & Lyons announces a joint-venture merger that positions the new organization to become one of the Midwest’s leading full-service produce and distribution, brokerage, refrigerated transportation and logistics companies.
Re-branded as Vine Line Produce Distribution, the companies’ combined business lines include Heeren Bros. Produce, Vine Line Logistics, Vine Line Trucking and Walsma & Lyons.
“Based on shared vision, values and strengths, the merger between Heeren Bros. and Walsma & Lyons is a dynamic move,” said Joseph D’Ottavio, CEO of Vine Line Produce Distribution. “We are excited about the strategic advantages of working together, while building on core competencies to pursue future growth.”
Like Heeren Bros., Walsma & Lyons is a family-owned and operated business with deep roots in the Western Michigan region. Founded in 1955, it is a produce brokerage distribution business that provides a full line of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as tailored solutions for meeting customers’ unique needs. Company owner Gary Lyons has over 40 years of experience in all aspects of the produce industry.
“The produce and transportation landscape is ripe for a company that is willing and able to invest in multiple distribution facilities. Vine Line Produce Distribution has never been more agile and focused on meeting customers’ produce and transportation needs in an ever-changing market,” said Gary Lyons, President of Vine Line Produce Distribution.
Headquartered in Comstock Park, Michigan, Vine Line Produce Distribution operates out of a 180,000 sq. ft, LEED Certified, state-of-the-art facility that combines wholesale distribution with cold storage and packaging. A second 46,000 sq. ft. facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, provides direct distribution into Central Midwest and Western markets.
Established in 1933, Heeren Bros. has a long history in produce distribution, as well as strong partnerships with Michigan apple growers in packing, shipping and storing the state’s largest fruit crop. The company is currently owned by 42 North Partners, a Grand Rapids private equity firm, which guided the recent merger with Vine Line Logistics. 42 North Partners is led by Mike and Sue Jandernoa. It invests in projects that provide a catalyst for the growth and vitality of the entrepreneurial community with a focus on Western Michigan.
MCLEAN, Va. — Gladstone Land Corporation (Nasdaq: LAND) (“Gladstone Land” or the “Company”) announced that it has acquired approximately 1,000 gross acres of farmland in Coalinga, California, for $33 million. The farm consists of 911 planted acres of mature pistachio trees. In connection with the acquisition, the Company also entered into an eight-year, triple-net lease with RTS Agri Business and Canoas Creek Pistachios. This is the first closing of a two-part acquisition; the second closing is scheduled to occur during the fourth quarter of 2019 and is slightly larger than this one.
“We are excited to be adding another large pistachio orchard in the San Joaquin Valley,” said Bill Reiman, Managing Director of Gladstone Land. “More than just adding another property to our farmland holdings, we are also adding another high-quality grower-tenant. This transaction has been very smooth, and it has been a pleasure to work with Rod Stiefvater, Paul Nugent, and their broker, Cameron Kay. Rod and Paul farmed this property prior to its development as a pistachio orchard, and they are excited to continue their operations on the property into the foreseeable future. This is a large holding with its own solar facilities to help reduce energy costs, and the farm has added value due to the water infrastructure that allows the grower to deliver surface water to the orchard.”
“This is our second large acquisition of the quarter,” said David Gladstone, President and CEO of Gladstone Land. “We continue to build our diverse portfolio of farmland focused primarily on healthy foods, such as fresh produce and nuts, and we are very encouraged by the number of large, high-quality farms we have been able to acquire recently. This orchard has just reached peak production and is a great representation of our ability to partner with esteemed operators and purchase farms that we expect will produce steady rental income and allow us to continue growing the dividends we pay to our shareholders.”
About Gladstone Land Corporation: Founded in 1997, Gladstone Land is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns farmland and farm-related properties located in major agricultural markets across the U.S. and leases its properties to unrelated third-party farmers. The Company reports the fair value of its farms on a quarterly basis. The Company currently owns 93 farms, comprised of approximately 81,000 acres in 10 different states, valued at approximately $768 million. The farms are predominantly located in regions where its tenants are able to grow fresh produce annual row crops, such as berries and vegetables, which are generally planted and harvested annually. The Company also owns farms growing permanent crops, such as almonds, apples, figs, olives, pistachios, and other orchards, as well as groves of blueberries and vineyards, which are generally planted every 10 to 20-plus years and harvested annually. The Company may also acquire property related to farming, such as cooling facilities, processing buildings, packaging facilities, and distribution centers. The Company pays monthly distributions to its stockholders and has paid 78 consecutive monthly cash distributions on its common stock since its initial public offering in January 2013. The current per-share distribution on its common stock is $0.04455 per month, or $0.5346 per year. Additional information, including detailed information about each of the Company’s farms, can be found at www.GladstoneFarms.com.
A whopping increase of nearly 20 percent in Washington apple shipments compared to a year ago is forecast for the new season. That would place shipments at 137.3 million boxes.
The estimated 2019 fresh crop is 18 percent larger than the 2018 crop of 116.7 million boxes, according to the Washington State Tree Fruit Association.
“WSTFA members are expecting an ample 2019 apple crop with a good mix of varieties for today’s market,” Jon DeVaney, WSTFA president, said in a news release. “Favorable summer growing weather means that Washington growers are expecting a crop with excellent quality and finish.”
By variety, the crop estimate reported gala is projected to total 23 percent of loadings, with red delicious at 20 percent, fuji at 13 percent and granny smith at 12 percent of total fresh shipments.
The estimate projected Honeycrisp at 12 percent of the state’s fresh crop, while cripps pink is estimated at 5 percent of the total.
Andy Tudor, vice president of business development at Rainier Fruit, Selah, WA, said some industry leaders had been predicting a crop as big as 150 million boxes.
He said apple sizes may be down a bit from last year, with galas projected to have peak sizes of 88s, 100s, and 113s.
“The fruit size is probably not as good as growers wanted it to be this year,” Tudor said.
At the same time, the large Honeycrisp crop has projected peak sizes of 72s to 88s, which are ideal sizes for retail promotion.
The 2019 estimate projects organic apple production at 13% of the total, or 18.3 million boxes, according to the release.
The forecast is based on a survey of WSTFA members, according to the release, and represents a “best estimate” of the total volume of apples that will eventually be packed and sold on the fresh market.
Washington state will also produce its first commercial volume of Cosmic Crisp apples in 2019, said Lynnell Brandt, president of Proprietary Variety Management LLC, Yakima, WA.
Brandt said the 2019 Washington Cosmic Crisp crop is expected near 450,000 boxes, with third leaf fruit (three-year-old trees) released for sales Dec. 1 and second leaf fruit (two-year-old trees) released January 1.
Harvest of the variety will begin in mid-September and continue into October.
With about 11 million trees of Cosmic Crisp planted so far, Brandt said Cosmic Crisp production will rise to about 2 million boxes by 2020 and see further big jumps after that.
Proprietary Variety Management is managing the marketing of the Cosmic Crisp, and the apple will be sold by most if not all Washington shippers.
Plant-based food companies have raised more than $16 billion in the last decade, with record gains of $13 billion in 2017 and 2018 alone, according to the “State of the Industry Report” released recently by non-profit organization Good Food Institute (GFI).
“Investors and entrepreneurs are capitalizing on a global shift in the way meat is produced. The market opportunity here is massive,” GFI Executive Director Bruce Friedrich said. “Shifting consumer values have created a favorable market for alternatives to animal-based foods, and we have already seen fast-paced growth in this space across retail and foodservice markets.”
The report also found that 2018 was a record year of investment activity in the cell-based meat industry—where meat is grown using a small number of animal cells in a lab-setting—which saw 12 startups raise $50 million in capital across 14 deals. Since 2009, 19 plant-based companies were acquired by non-vegan brands, with 10 of these deals—including the 2017 acquisition of plant-based milk producer WhiteWave Foods by Danone for $12.5 billion, the largest deal of its kind to date—occurring in the last two years.
“These industries are accelerating rapidly, and we are about to see them take off. There is a great deal of momentum, which has been brought about by product innovation, greater emphasis on quality, more investment, and a change in consumer values,” GFI Director of Innovation Brad Barbera said.
“There is still so much growth possible, and there are great opportunities that come with that. Investors and entrepreneurs recognize the vast market opportunity on offer to get involved while these industries take form.”
SPARTA, Mich. — Applewood Fresh Growers LLC expects shipments to increase 20 percent over last year for SweeTango®.
As the lead marketer in the Midwest for the variety that comes from the Minnesota breeding program, Applewood Fresh promotes the marriage of the Honeycrisp and Zestar! varieties in SweeTango for its standout flavor and texture.
SweeTango is expected to start in Michigan around September 3rd.
Applewood Fresh is the exclusive seller of the KIKU® and Kanzi® managed varieties in the Midwest. Increased volume of 50 percent is projected for the 2019 season with Kanzi and a 10 percent increase with Kiku.
The newest variety expected to catapult Applewood Fresh’s reputation for excellence is Rave®. The company has grown the juicy, early season Honeycrisp-meets-MonArk cross as a test for the past 3 years. An agreement has been signed with Stemilt, a family-owned fruit tree growing, packing and shipping company based in Wenatchee, WA, to plant significant acreage of the variety in 2 locations in Michigan.
A second packing line at the facility where Applewood Fresh headquarters is located in Sparta, MI, will more than double the capacity for all varieties.
“More capacity allows us to bring on more quality fruit from some of the finest young growers and family operations in the Michigan industry,” says Scott Swindeman, Co-owner of Applewood Fresh Growers “Working together to produce the very finest apples is important to all of us—our growers, Applewood Fresh and our valued customers.
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About Applewood Fresh
Applewood Fresh Growers LLC, a grower, packer, shipper and marketer of the finest Michigan apples, can trace its roots back to 1935 and the founding of affiliate company Applewood Orchards, Inc. With its third generation of family ownership, the company represents growers at primarily family-owned orchards across the state that inspire a mission to bring quality apples to consumers year-round. Applewood Fresh currently ships 21 apple varieties, made possible by its network of 50+ growers.
NAPIERVILLE, Quebec — Most Quebec commercial growers have a mixture of different vegetables when it comes to shipping their produce to domestic customers and exporting to the U.S. and elsewhere.
Delfland of Napierville is shipping shallots from last year’s crop, but the new season will soon start. Movement is expected to be brisk as both France and Holland had less than stellar seasons.
About 50 percent of Delfland’s carrots, onions and shallots are exported, with the remainder shipped to eastern Canadian markets.
Les Fermes Hotee and Van Winden of Napierville began farming 40 years ago with 100 acres, and now has 780 acres. Half of it is iceberg and romaine lettuce, a fourth is onion and the remaining fourth is bok choy, napa cabbage, yellow beets and celeriac.
The company began shipping yellow onions the last week of July.
Some of their crops are processed for fast-food chains Taco Bell, Burger King and Subway, while others go into bagged salads for retail.
In winter, the operation grows product in Florida, but processes it in Quebec, before trucking it six hours south to the New York market. Les Fermes Hotee and Van Winden ships 75 percent of its vegetables to the U.S., and 20 percent to Vegpro in Sherrington to be processed for bags for Quebec’s main retailers — Loblaw, IGA and Metro — and 5 percent goes to the fresh market.
At Ferme A. & R. Trucot, of Saint-Roch-de-I’Achigan 80 to 85 percent of its products goes to destinations in the Quebec province, and the remainder exported to the Northeastern U.S.
At Ferme GNC, 70 percent of its vegetables goes to Quebec, and 30 percent is exported to the U.S. Customers are processors, retailers, food sellers and wholesalers — all with different packing needs.
