Caution is urged loading melons from Central America, which is arriving at various U.S. port, as well a crossing the border at Nogales, AZ.
Markon Cooperative of Salinas, CA in a press release reports Central American melon supplies are extremely limited following the effects of Tropical Storm Sara. Markets are elevated; demand exceeds supply and quality issues abound.
Cantaloupe
Central American
Offshore shipments of Central American cantaloupes are arriving by vessel into domestic ports; volume is extremely limited
Quality issues are arising from flooding brought by Tropical Storm Sara; yields are lower in Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica
Projections for upcoming lots are minimal
Markon recommends increased order lead time to maximize coverage over the next three to four weeks; size substitutions may be recommended
Expect elevated markets and light supply through early January
Honeydew
Central American/Mexican
Mexican volume is light crossing into Nogales, Arizona as growers finish their season in Northern Mexico; light volume will continue to ship from Southern Mexico through February
Offshore/Central American honeydews are arriving by vessel into domestic ports; volume is extremely limited
Quality issues are arising from flooding brought by Tropical Storm Sara, resulting in lower yields in Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica
Projections for upcoming lots are minimal
Markon recommends increased order lead time to maximize coverage over the next three to four weeks; size substitutions may be recommended
Expect limited supplies and elevated markets through early January
The commission called the move a significant step toward ensuring food labeling is consistent with the most up-to-date nutrition scientific evidence and Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations.
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourages consumers to choose nutrient-dense foods, such as walnuts. The commission said close to two-thirds of Americans do not meet the recommended intake for nuts and seeds.
“The inclusion of walnuts in the new ‘healthy’ definition affirms consumers’ belief that walnuts are a healthy food. It also aligns with decades of nutrition research reinforcing the important contributions walnuts can make in a healthy lifestyle,” California Walnut Commission CEO Robert Verloop said in a news release. “It’s simple. Just adding walnuts to Americans’ daily diet can potentially have wide-ranging positive impacts.”
Substituting walnuts for food choices higher in saturated fats can help support Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations to replace consumption of saturated fats with unsaturated fats, the commission said.
The total fat in walnuts (18 grams) is mostly composed of polyunsaturated fats (13 grams per ounce), including omega-3 ALA (2.5 grams per ounce), an essential fatty acid with the potential to support heart health and cognition, according to the release. Walnuts are the only tree nut to provide an excellent source of omega-3 ALA.
“In my 20-plus years of practicing nutrition at a major medical institution, I have seen trends go in and out for what the public considers healthy,” said Kristin Kirkpatrick, registered dietitian nutritionist. “But what has always been foundational is the role plant-based foods like walnuts play in supporting health. Walnuts are one nut I find consistently meets the variable needs of patients in my practice. In practice, I focus on evidence-based approaches to reducing chronic disease risk, weight management, and improvements in metabolic health.”
Exports of Chilean avocados to all destinations will rise about 30% in the 2024-25 marketing year, the USDA reports.
In its annual report on Chilean avocados, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service said due to favorable climatic conditions in the country, avocado production is expected to total 200,000 metric tons in the marketing year from July 2024 to June 2025, a 33.3% increase from the previous season.
The report forecasts Chilean avocado exports in the marketing year 2024-25 at 116,000 metric tons, a 29.8% jump compared with 2023-24.
Chile harvests avocados year-round, but peak export months are typically October and November.
Chile’s avocado area planted in 2024-25 will top 81,000 acres in 2024-25, a 1% gain from 2023-24, according to the USDA. The planted area spans from the Coquimbo region in the northern part of Chile to the O’Higgins region in the central-south part of the country, the report said.
Hass is the main avocado variety produced in Chile, however, hass is sensitive to frost and excessive soil humidity, which limits its cultivation to hillsides and well-drained soils, the report said. Other avocado varieties produced in Chile in smaller quantities include edranol, negra de la cruz, fuerte and bacon.
In 2023-24, Chile’s top export market for avocado was the Netherlands, followed by Spain and the United Kingdom. Buying 4,800 metric tons, the U.S. ranked eighth as a market for Chilean avocados in 2023-24, the report said.
So far in the 2024-25 marketing year, the USDA Market News Service reports that U.S. imports of Chilean avocados topped 5,290 metric tons through early December, up 19% from the same time a year ago.
Peru became the third-largest exporter of Brazil nuts—also known as Amazon nuts—last year, following Bolivia and Germany, according to the Global Economy and Business Research Center of the Exporters Association (CIEN-ADEX).
Peruvian shipments totaled $30 million in 2023, accounting for 12.4% of the global total, despite a 17.8% drop in demand. Bolivia ranked first with a 47.5% share of shipments ($115.4 million), while Germany, acting as a re-exporting country, took second place with 14.8% ($36 million).
The CIEN-ADEX commercial report indicated the global Brazil nut market shrank by 28.8% in 2023, with a total value of $229 million.
Germany solidified its position as the world’s largest importer, accounting for 17.2% of all imports ($39.5 million), followed by the United States ($37.7 million) and the United Kingdom ($21.5 million).
Between 2019 and 2023, shipments decreased by an average of 3.2% due to excess stock in key destinations and changing consumption trends, which led to reduced demand and falling prices.
Claudia Solano Oré, manager of agroexports at the trade association, highlighted the recovery of Peru’s Brazil nut industry, noting that exports totaled $34.6 million between January and October 2024, reflecting a 29% increase compared to the same period in 2023 ($26.8 million).
“As of October, exports have already surpassed the total recorded for the entire previous year,” she added.
Solano also emphasized the importance of signing phytosanitary protocols by the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation to initiate exports of Brazil nuts and other products to China, a market expected to grow in importance with the opening of the Chancay mega-port.
The commodity reached 46 countries. South Korea led the ranking with $9.66 million, reflecting a 21.8% increase and accounting for 27.9% of the total. The United States followed with $7.78 million, a 23.5% rise, representing 22.5% of total exports.
The top ten destinations also included Spain, Germany, New Zealand, Turkey, Lithuania, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Greece. For the first time, exports were made to Belarus, Croatia, Uruguay, and Guatemala.
Proarándanos, an association of blueberry producers and exporters in Peru, has reported the 2024-2025 Peruvian blueberry season, although progressing at a slower pace compared to previous seasons, is showing higher volumes.
The Peruvian blueberry season goes from May 2024 to April 2025.
To date, 254,406 tons of Peruvian blueberries have been exported, with 89% being conventional and 11% organic. Compared to the same date last season, this represents a growth of 61%, the association stated.
Almost 30,000 tons of organic blueberries have been shipped worldwide, and it is projected that the season will end with nearly 40,000 tons. Unlike past seasons, when almost 100% of organic blueberries went to the United States, this year 89% is destined for the U.S., with 10% going to the European market.
The peak week of the 2024-2025 season occurred in mid October, during which 22,348 tons of fresh blueberries were exported. This contrasts with the peak of the 2023-2024 season, recorded the last week of October, and in mid September for the 2022-2023 season.
The entity reported that 97% of the total volume exported has been shipped by sea. The main ports of arrival by destination are the Port of Philadelphia, with a 58% share of the volume exported to the United States; the Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands), with 72% of the volume exported to all of Europe (excluding Russia); the Port of Shenzhen, with 72% of the volume exported to China; the Port of Dover, with 44% of the volume exported to the United Kingdom; and the Port of Kaohsiung, with 18% of the volume exported to other destinations.
In 2024, Peru had 49,903 acres certified and inspected by SENASA.
Proarándanos indicated that 67% of the total hectares consist of five varieties: Ventura from Fallcreek with 26%, Biloxi with 16%, Sekoya Pop from Sekoya with 14%, Rocio from Hortifrut with 8%, and finally, Mágica from Ozblu with 5%, most of which are located in the north of the country, in the department of La Libertad.
The next 23% of the hectares are distributed among 12 varieties, with Fallcreek’s Atlasblue and Emerald standing out with 8% between them.
Continuing with the analysis of varieties per hectare of the current blueberry season, the companies that have contributed the most with their genetics are Fallcreek with 32% representation, followed by open varieties with 19%, Sekoya with 16%, Hortifrut with 9% and Driscolls with 8%. The remaining 16% is divided between Ozblu, Mbo, Inkasberries, Planasa, Florida University, and Iq Berries.
Proarándanos indicated that during the 2024-2025 season, shipments of fresh Peruvian blueberries will reach a total volume of 323,928 tons. This amount represents a variation of +4.1 % in relation to the October estimate (311,202 tons).
The Almond Board of (Modesto) California reported a new study found that consuming almonds regularly can aid physical recovery by reducing muscle soreness and damage while improving muscle performance.
These findings add to the growing body of scientific evidence on how almonds affect recovery after physical activity.
Previous studies investigated the effect of almonds on feelings of fatigue and exercise metabolism, and looked at the impact of almond consumption on feelings of soreness and muscle performance.
Now, the present randomized, crossover study published in Current Developments in Nutrition and funded by the Almond Board of California involved 26 middle-aged adults who exercised one to four hours per week and were at a healthy weight or slightly overweight.
Participants consumed 57 grams of whole raw almonds, or a caloric ration equivalent to 86 grams of unsalted pretzels, every day for eight weeks.
After eight weeks of eating almonds or the control food, with a four-week non-consumption period between the two interventions, participants performed a 30-minute run on a treadmill to induce muscle damage. They then immediately received their daily ration of almonds or pretzels.
Participants continued to eat the daily portions for three days after the race.
The researchers measured people’s perceived muscle soreness, muscle performance (assessed by a muscle contraction test and a vertical jump), and blood markers of muscle damage/inflammation (creatine kinase, C-reactive protein, myoglobin, and antioxidant capacity) before the race and at 24, 48, and 72 hours after the race.
Results of almond consumption
During recovery from exercise (up to 72 hours after treadmill running), the almond group, compared to the control group, presented:
Lower levels of creatine kinase (CK), a marker of muscle damage.
A more rapid decline in CK levels after 72 hours, which may indicate a faster rate of recovery.
Improved muscle performance at 24 and 72 hours.
Moderate reduction in pain rates after maximal contraction at 24 (37% less) and 48 hours (33% less).
Almond Board of California reported that there were no differences in other biochemical markers of muscle damage and inflammation (such as C-reactive protein, myoglobin concentrations and total antioxidant capacity).
It should be noted that the research looked at non-smoking adults who exercised between one and four hours a week and were at a healthy weight or slightly overweight, so the results may not be applicable to people with other demographic and health characteristics.
Future studies should consider measurements over a longer recovery period.In summary, consumption of 57 grams of almonds as a snack for eight weeks modestly reduced pain rates, helped maintain muscle strength, and reduced muscle damage after exercise.
Nutrient contribution of almonds
28 grams of almonds provide 6 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, 13 grams of unsaturated fat, only 1 gram of saturated fat and 15 essential nutrients, including 77 mg of magnesium (18.3% DV), 210 mg of potassium (4% DV) and 7.27 mg of vitamin E (50% DV), making them an excellent snack for a healthy, active lifestyle.
U.S. fresh potato exports to Mexico continue to soar, according to a USDA report.
From the period October 2023 to September 2024, the USDA reported U.S. fresh potato sales to Mexico were $134.9 million, or about 41% of the value of total U.S. fresh potato exports for the period.
Total U.S. fresh potato exports for the period were down 1% in value but up 2% in volume, according to the USDA.
The volume of U.S. fresh potatoes sent to Mexico was up 55% for the October through September period, while the value of U.S. potato exports to Mexico was up 21%.
Canada was the second-largest market for U.S. potatoes, claiming $68 million of U.S. potatoes, down 32% in value from the previous year.
The following are the top export markets for U.S. potato exports for October 2023 through September 2024, with percentage change in value compared with a year ago:
Orange production was lowered by 20 percent and grapefruit by 14 percent from the October forecast, which takes into account the damage from Hurricane Milton, which hit Florida in early October.
The 2024-2025 Florida all orange forecast from the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 12.0 million boxes, down 20 percent from the October forecast of 15.0 million. If realized, this will be 33 percent less than last season’s final production. The forecast consists of 5 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties) and 7 million boxes of Valencia oranges.
The forecast for Florida grapefruit production is 1.20 million boxes, down 200,000 boxes from the October forecast. If realized, this will be 33 percent less than last season’s final production. Red grapefruit, at 1.05 million boxes, is lowered 150,000 boxes from the October forecast. White grapefruit is forecast down 50,000 boxes to 150,000 boxes.
Florida citrus production has been dropping for years due to various causes, including weather, disease, changing consumption, and residential and commercial property demand.
According to USDA, there were 248,000 acres of oranges in 2024, down from 665,000 in 2000, and grapefruit acreage amounted to 14,000 in 2024, down from 118,000 in 2000.
Florida’s citrus industry peaked in the 1997-98 season with 244 million boxes of oranges. This year’s orange crop would be 5 percent of the peak.
