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.”
A 15% increase in mango production is predicted by mango producers in the Dominican Republic compared to the 2023season. The boost is accredited to the government’s support and work done by private organizations.
German Báez, the President of the island’s Banilejo Mango Producers Association (Abapromango), says exports will increase by 39,000 tons, and reach a combined total of 96,000 including local consumption. Exports will reach various countries including the United States, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Costa Rica, and Panama.
The Dominican Republic is widely known for producing different mango varieties for export and local consumption, including Mingolo, Crema de Oro, Keitt, Kent, Palmer, Parvin, Madam Francés, and one of the sweetest mangoes, Banilejo.
Due to the political crisis, there’s a lack of Haitian Francis mango in the market this season. The Dominican Republic is currently stepping in to fill the gap by increasing fruit production and planting its own Francis mangos. Exports of this variety are expected to start as early as next year.
The country is mostly known for its exports of sugar cane, coffee, cocoa, and tobacco. However, there has been a notable resurgence in the cultivation of mango, avocado, pineapple, melon, and banana, which have become the primary export products, mainly targeting North American and European markets.
For the first time in 13 years, the Dominican Republic surpassed Haiti in mango exports to the U.S. with 8,550 metric tons (MT) shipped in 2022, according to the National Mango Board. Last year, Minister of Agriculture Limber Cruz also announced that the country’s production had gone up 64% in comparison to 2019.
The country’s biggest market partners are the United States, Netherlands, and France.
The Chilean Citrus Committee estimates that global citrus exports from Chile will reach 383,000 tons this season, a 4% decline from 2023. According to the figures provided by the Committee, clementine and mandarin volumes will decline by 35% and 9% respectively. Oranges will decrease by two percent, with lemons increasing by 33%.
Peak citrus volumes in the U.S. will commence in June and continue through October.
The Committee forecasts clementine volume of 40,000 tons, which is 35% less than the 2023 season. States Monserrat Valenzuela, manager of the Citrus Committee, “This is a result of water restrictions in the main clementine-producing areas of the Coquimbo region (Region IV).” Of the 4,000 hectares of clementines planted in Chile, 70% of them are concentrated in Region IV.
Meanwhile, mandarin volume is expected to reach 160,000 tons, a decrease of 9% from last year. Orange volume will be similar to 2023, with a two percent decrease to 93,000 tons. The only category with anticipated growth is lemons, which is expected to grow by 33% to 90,000 tons.
Regarding the overall anticipated decrease of 4% for Chilean citrus exports this season, the president of the Citrus Committee, Juan Ortúzar, comments, “We are building an industry better adapted to climate change, with a strategy aimed at facing new production challenges, and with a focus on more sustainable production.”
There are 27,813 hectares of citrus orchards in Chile, distributed between the Atacama and O’Higgins regions. The Metropolitan Region has the largest planted area, reaching 8,361 hectares. As for the total planted area, lemons lead with 9,199 hectares nationwide, followed by mandarins with 7,800 hectares and oranges with 6,600.
California’s requirements for zero-energy fleets may be on hold, but the push to electrify the transportation industry is far from over. In March, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released new emission standards, outlining limits on carbon dioxide emissions that become increasingly stringent each year from 2027 to 2032. While these regulations are well-intentioned, forcing carriers to comply with unreasonable standards will have impacts far beyond the transportation industry.
As of April 2023, there were over 750,000 active motor carriers in the U.S., 95.8% of whom operate 10 or fewer trucks. These small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Without them, store shelves would be empty and we would struggle to find food to put on our tables. Look no further than the 2021 global supply chain crisis to see what happens when shipping demand outpaces truck supply. Like every other business, trucking companies must minimize costs to maximize profitability. When the annual cost of operating battery-electric big rigs is about twice as expensive as diesel trucks, the transition to zero-emission fleets becomes fiscally impossible for some companies. Add-on government mandates, like those in California, and you have a recipe for disaster.
The goal to cut carbon emissions is desirable, but forcing small businesses into bankruptcy gets us nowhere. If legislators want to enable lasting change, they need to slow down and focus on smaller, more economically sound solutions to our climate crisis. Compressed natural gas (CNG) has been found to reduce tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions by about 20% and could be a welcome alternative to diesel since it is widely available and affordable. Further, the adoption of diesel-electric and gasoline-electric hybrid trucks could help the transition to zero-emissions fleets without bringing our supply chain and economy to a halt. We may not currently know all the answers, but when we empower small businesses to take action we can do just about anything.
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Makenna Christensen graduated from Marquette University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Human Resources. In July 2022, she began working as a Software Sales Coordinator for ALC Logistics, the software division of the Allen Lund Company. She joined the Fresh Produce & Floral Council’s Apprentice program in April 2024.
The U.S. Apple Association released its May 1 apple holding report, which shows 53 million bushels of fresh-market apples. The association said this is 33% more than inventories reported in May 2023 and 30% more than the five-year average for inventories.
USApple also reports processing apples at 23 million bushels, 36% more than inventories from last May and 36% more than the five-year average.
Washington leads the country with 62,272,381 bushels of fresh and processing apples, higher than the five-year average of 48,302,250 bushels as of May 1.
New York follows with 5,786,262 bushels of fresh and processing apples. The Empire State’s five-year average as of May 1 is 4,024,774.
Michigan comes in third with an inventory of 3,669,000 bushels of fresh and processing apples, which is also higher than the state’s five-year average of 1,933,200 bushels.
Red delicious fresh and processing holdings lead apple varieties with 11,744,443 bushels, which is on par with the five-year average for the variety of 11,920,823.
Honeycrisp is next with an inventory of 10,929,357 bushels of fresh and processing apples. This is up from the five-year average of 5,899,102 bushels of fresh and processing apples.
Granny smith comes in third with 9,389,762 bushels of fresh and processing apples in holdings, which is higher than the 7,003,534-bushel five-year average for the variety.
Gala sits in fourth with an inventory of 9,312,343 bushels of fresh and processing apples. This figure holds steady with the five-year average holdings for the variety of 9,281,365 bushels.
Fuji comes in fifth in holdings with 6,826,807 bushels of fresh and processing apples, which is similar to the five-year average for the variety of 6,415,417 bushels.
Some cherry shippers in the Pacific Northwest expect their 2024 season to be the longest and largest in the region.
Superfresh Growers, one of the largest producers in Washington, announced their cherries should be in season as early as late May and extend into August.
The Washington cherry season usually ships from June to late August.
Last year, the company added a third cherry facility, which they say will enhance their ability to deliver cherries to retailers and consumers alike. The company grows cherries from the Canadian border to Hood River, OR.
“Superfresh Growers is proud to uphold our position as the Northwest’s longest and largest cherry crop for the past two seasons. Anticipate nothing less as we gear up for another successful harvest,” said Destiny Nash, Cherry Sales Lead.
“The addition of the third packing line last year optimized our turn-around times from orchard to retail partners. With a notable 30% increase in production capabilities, we are poised for continued growth and success.”
The latest census from the USDA shows the state had 43,429 acres of cherry production in 2022.
