Archive For The “News” Category
By Transparency Market Research
Albany, New York: Raisins are formed by the drying of grapes. Raisins are considered to be the second-most important product of grapes after wine production. When the water content of grapes is reduced to 15%, they are considered as raisins. Raisins are mostly solar/air dried in fields. Raisins are used in many regional dishes, cuisines, desserts, and bakery products. In the global raisins market, Turkey and the U.S. hold prominent market shares as far as the production of dried grapes is concerned. Turkey is the world’s largest producer of raisins, and their production was 429,000 tons in 2014, a remarkable growth of 27% since 2000. Followed by Turkey, major producers of raisins are the U.S., Iran, China, and Chile. In the global raisins market, majorly consumed raisins are natural seedless raisins, which also have many applications in food and beverages. In addition, raisins are used in the garnishing of food dishes to enhance their texture, aroma, and taste.
The health consciousness wave has inundated the global market with nutrition-rich foods and beverages, with an authentic brand commitment to quality, taste, and flavor. In the global market, raisins have gained significant applications in households, food processing industry, and baking industry, Raisins are also very popular among food service providers, owing to their multiple health benefits and good taste, which is helping them in attaining customer attraction. With the frequent launching of food products, the dried fruit market has become more competitive, and manufacturers are following the customer-centric approach to become leaders in the raisins market. Many food manufacturers are very keen on incorporating raisins in their products to enhance the organoleptic properties of their products. Consumers are increasingly moving towards food products that are made from natural ingredients without any chemical or artificial additives. There is also a noticeable shift towards the consumption of dried fruits such as raisins. Manufacturers are developing products with natural ingredient compositions and reduced processing to cater to the burgeoning consumer demand for nutritional and sustainable foods. They are also offering convenience and on-the-go foods with a healthy twist to satiate the millennial palates of consumers.
Many food companies are using raisins in their products, and introducing different types of snacks and bakery products consisting raisins; they can be used as toppings in various bakery products, which add the essence and good flavor of the raisins to the particular food product. Dried raisins is the most common dried fruit, and are widely used in various bakery products to increase their flavor and nutritional value. With the increasing flavor inspiration and demand for healthy food ingredients in food products, food manufacturers are emphasizing on incorporating healthy foods in their final products to cater to the demand from their broad range of customers. In the bakery industry, raisins are used in baked goods to enhance their texture and flavor. Incorporating raisins in bakery food products imparts a tangy flavor to these products, and also add to their nutritional value.
Over the last few decades, there has been a noteworthy boom in the bakery industry, which directly results in the increased demand for raisins among manufacturers in this industry. Innovation in the product line and frequent product launches have made the raisins marketplace more competitive than earlier, which compels manufacturers incorporate natural and healthy food ingredients into their product lines to become leaders in the market.
Growing economies have increased the essence of customization in final products. Manufacturers are now using mass customization as a strategy to fulfill the demand of their broad range of customers. The same trend is also being followed in the breakfast cereals market. According to data published in 2013, the varieties of morning breakfast cereals have increased from 160 varieties in 1970 to 340 varieties in 2012. In order to increase the variety of breakfast cereals, manufacturers are utilizing dried fruits as an ingredient in morning breakfast meals to fulfill the nutritional demand. Raisins are one of the most commonly used dried fruits that are incorporated in breakfast cereals.
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By Bailey Farms
OXFORD, NC. – Due to positive consumer reception of its DulceFina peppers, Bailey Farms, the leading shipper of specialty peppers in the country, announces expanded acreage for its premium sweet pepper line.
Since 1989, Bailey Farms Incorporated has been growing peppers. Beginning as a father and son duo, Bailey Farms now has family farms in North Carolina, Florida and Mexico offering a wide variety of chile, BellaFina and mini-sweet peppers.
A crave-able mini-pepper, the new DulceFina is sweet-tasting, crispy and deliciously snackable. Additionally, DulceFina boasts an exceptional flavor and a distinctively crunchy texture.
Rolled out in 2018, DulceFina is brightly colored, filled with flavor and is crispier and sweeter than other peppers.
“Our research and retail partner feedback has revealed a growing trend within the pepper category of consumers looking for a premium tasting snacking pepper that stands apart on the shelf” said Randy Bailey, president of Bailey Farms, Inc. “Last year was our initial rollout pilot to validate this and 2019 will be the year where we expand acreage to meet the consumer demand.”
In consumer taste tests against current yellow and orange mini sweet peppers, DulceFina was preferred 3 to 1. It’s no surprise consumers most often used the word “sweet” to describe their flavor—DulceFina peppers have an average higher Brix than retail yellow and orange mini sweets. One sweet, crispy bite will have everyone coming back for more!
DulceFina is available year-round and is packed loose and in 12 oz bags.
Mexican producers are growing an increasing amount of product in greenhouses each year.
In 2017, there were 9,083 acres of greenhouse production in Mexico. In 2018, there were 57,454 acres of Mexican produce grown under protected agriculture, such as shade houses.
Greenhouses can increase yields and allow growers to control variables such as heating, cooling, humidity and irrigation as well as provide a barrier against pests.
At Chamberlain Distributing Inc. in Nogales, AZ, all of its cucumbers, vine-ripe tomatoes and bell peppers are grown under protected agriculture, while 80 percent of its roma tomatoes grown under protection. Overall, it is estimate 60 percent of the firm’s volume is grown under protected agriculture. This is up from about 10 percent a decade ago.
Greenhouses and shade houses are credited with allowing shippers to provide customers with consistent, high quality perishable items in a reliable manner. It also allows seasons to start earlier and for harvests to be extended.
At Ciruli Bros. LLC in Rio Rico, AZ, its Mexican grown cucumbers, bell peppers and other vegetable are all grown under protection. It is cited as being more cost effective and growing in open fields, allowing more control, better harvests and better crops.
In the U.S. the trend toward growing more profitable cannabis has contributed to the growth of greenhouses and shade houses in Mexico, where Mexican operations are replacing or complementing greenhouse vegetables in the U.S. and Canada.
Los Angeles, California – Pacific Trellis Fruit is bringing back JAM GRAPES, the new black seedless grape variety from Brazil it introduced late last year. During its initial launch, the premium grape variety had only been available from October through January.
“We saw good interest when we started talking to retailers late last fall. In order to ensure a good balance between quality and supply, we closely monitored availability – to confirm everything is exactly where we wanted it to be,” explains Josh Leichter, General Manager of Pacific Trellis Fruit/Dulcinea Farms and added: “Very quickly, we were able to confirm that this grape fulfilled our expectations – and those of our retail partners – so we decided to bring them back as soon as possible.” Positive feedback from retailers was echoed by consumers and JAM GRAPES will be back on supermarket shelves in May and June, taking advantage of Brazil’s first semester harvest.
“For the current season we are adding a 1 pound clamshell as an option. It is the preferred pack style for high-margin grape varieties,” Leichter explained. The fruit will continue to be available in 2 pound clamshells as well as random weight bags.
About Pacific Trellis Fruit / Dulcinea Farms:
Established in 1999, Pacific Trellis Fruit and is one of North America’s top year-round growers, packers and marketers of premium fresh fruit, including grapes, peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries, and citrus as well as pears, apples, kiwis and mangos. With the acquisition of Dulcinea Farms in 2014, Pacific Trellis Fruit added PureHeart® mini seedless watermelons, Tuscan Style™ Cantaloupe and SunnyGold® yellow mini seedless watermelon amongst other premium melons to its portfolio. Pacific Trellis Fruit is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA – with sales offices in Fresno, CA, Gloucester, NJ and Nogales, AZ.
An increase in fruit imports of South America fruit is expected by The Port of Virginia due to the recent completion of the USDA’s Southeast In-Transit Cold Treatment Pilot program.
“We’re the U.S. East Coast’s leading vegetable exporter, and this designation positions us to achieve the same success with imported fruit,” John Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, said in a news release. “This is important for logistics and supply chain managers importing agricultural products because it means this cargo will get to its market more quickly.”
Through the USDA program, which the port joined in October 2017, refrigerated fruit from South America can enter the port. The program includes containers of blueberries, citrus and grapes from Peru; blueberries and grapes from Uruguay; and apples, blueberries and pears from Argentina, according to the release.
The program allows South American fruit to enter more ports in the U.S., following a two-week cold treatment process to guard against pests. Before the program started in 2013, fruit from certain export markets were limited to Northeast ports, according to the release. From there, they were distributed to southern states.
The new port of entry will cut transportation costs and increase fruit shelf life, according to the release.
Other participants in the USDA program include ports in Wilmington, N.C.; Charleston, S.C.; Port Everglades, Fla.; Palmetto, Fla., Jacksonville, Fla.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and Savannah, Ga.
Irvington, NY – BrightFarms, the No. 1 brand of locally grown packaged salads, has announced plans for national expansion with new sustainable greenhouse farms in New England (Central MA), New York (Hudson Valley) and North Carolina. The new greenhouses will each be 280,000 square feet and sit on 20 acres of land. Each greenhouse is expected to create around 55 full-time “green-collar” jobs for residents, offering competitive wages and benefits.
The three new greenhouses will further the brand’s presence and add to BrightFarm’s network of local and sustainable farms across the Mid-Atlantic and into the South. The company currently operates greenhouses in Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia, supplying major retailers in a dozen major metro markets.
In order to more rapidly meet retailer demands for locally grown produce, BrightFarms will also explore acquisitions and partnerships with existing greenhouse growers in each of the new markets.
“We are committed to transforming the produce category to provide the freshest, tastiest and most responsibly grown produce,” said Paul Lightfoot, CEO of BrightFarms. “Consumers are placing high demand for locally grown, fresh salads. With local greenhouses across the Mid-Atlantic and growing, BrightFarms is well positioned to meet these demands for national retailers.”
BrightFarms plans to break ground on the new greenhouses by year’s end, with production starting in the spring of 2020. The greenhouses will each produce more than 2 million pounds of fresh, leafy salad greens and herbs per year while using an estimated 80 percent less water, 90 percent less land and 95 percent less shipping fuel than West Coast farms.
BrightFarms’ national expansion follows the announcement of its successful Series D financing, where the company raised $55 million, and the addition its new CFO, Steve Campione. Campione’s substantial experience in raising capital and making strategic acquisitions will support the company’s aggressive expansion.
About BrightFarms
BrightFarms grows local produce, nationwide. BrightFarms finances, builds, and operates local greenhouse farms in partnership with supermarkets, cities, capital sources, and vendors, enabling it to quickly and efficiently eliminate time, distance, and costs from the food supply chain. BrightFarms’ growing methods, a model for the future of scalable, sustainable local farming, uses far less energy, land and water than long distance, centralized and field grown agriculture. Fast Company recognizes BrightFarms as “One of World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies” and one of the “Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Food” in the world.
Mastronardi Produce Ltd., of Kingsville, Ontario, Canada is building a 71.6-acre glass greenhouse for growing Backyard Farms brand tomatoes in Oneida, NY.
“This expansion allows us to meet the incredible loyal consumer and retailer demand for this brand,” Paul Mastronardi, president, CEO of Mastronardi Produce, said in a news release. “It also ensures that all Northeasterners can enjoy what New Englanders have come to expect—fresh-from-the-vine Backyard Farms tomatoes delivered within hours.”
Founded in the 1940s, Mastronardi Produce is a large vertically integrated producer and distributor of greenhouse-grown produce, marketed under the Sunset and Backyard Farms brands.
The greenhouse will provide Northeasterners with better access to fresh-from-the-vine Backyard Farms tomatoes delivered within hours, Mastronardi said in the release.
The expansion is the first phase of the company’s ambitions for its locally grown Backyard Farms label, according to the company.
The greenhouse more than doubles Backyard Farms’ greenhouse growing acreage and increases Mastronardi Produce’s internal greenhouse network to seven locations nationwide, providing more than 4,000 acres of growing capacity.
New-York-grown Backyard Farms brand tomatoes are expected to be shipped by the fall of 2019, according to the release.
A moderate decline in volume has been reported for U.S. banana imports in 2018, while tomato imports are increasing, according the USDA.
U.S. imports of bananas totaled 4.2 million metric tons in 2018, off 4 percent from 2017. By value, imports of bananas totaled $1.91 billion in 2018, up 2 percent from 2017.
Guatemala was the leading supplier of bananas to the U.S. in 2018, accounting for 1.88 billion metric tons, down 5 percent from 2017. By value, imports of Guatemala bananas totaled $851.4 million, up 2 percent from 2017. Guatemala accounted for 45 percent of volume and value of total banana imports.
Other leading suppliers of bananas in 2018 to the U.S., by value and compared with last year, are:
- Costa Rica: $399.9 million, down 10 percent;
- Honduras: $218.5 million, down 1 percent;
- Ecuador: $189.2 million, up 16 percent;
- Mexico: $136.2 million, up 19 percent; and
- Colombia: $104.8 million, up 15 percent.
Tomato Imports
In 2018 total U.S. tomato imports increased 9 percent in value and 4 percent in volume.
USDA trade statistics show that total U.S. tomato imports were $2.38 billion in 2018, up 9 percent from $2.17 billion in 2017.
Volume of tomato imports rose 4 percent in 2018, climbing from 1.79 million metric tons in 2017 to 1.86 million metric tons in 2018.
Mexico is the top supplier of imported tomatoes, accounting for 87 percent of the value of total U.S. tomato imports and 91 percent of imported tomato volume. By value, U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes, at $2.06 billion, were up 12 percent from 2017.
The volume of U.S. imports of Mexican tomatoes totaled 1.69 million metric tons in 2018, up 5 percent from 1.61 million metric tons in 2017.
By comparison, U.S. imports of Canadian tomatoes declined 7 percent in value and 9 percent in volume in 2018. Canada is the number two supplier of imported tomatoes, accounting for 9 percent of imported tomato value and 8 percent of tomato volume.
The Dominican Republic and Guatemala are number three and four ranked tomato suppliers, but both represent less than 1 percent of value.
Ready-to-eat convenience food sales over the last decade have increased, according to a new survey.
The USDA’s Flexible Consumer behavior Survey reports consumers in 2015-16 reported purchases of 2.4 ready-to-eat foods in the past 30 days, up more than 25 percent from 2007-08, when consumers reported consuming 1.9 ready-to-eat foods in the same period.
Eating out
The USDA survey found for 2015-16, about 89 percent of adults bought food from a fast-food restaurant and 90 percent of adults ate at a sit-down restaurant in the past 12 months.
The 2015-16 survey related consumers reported eating 3.6 food away from home meals in the last week, down slightly from 4 food-away-from-home meals reported in the same period in 2007-08.
For both 2007-08 and 2015-16, less than half of food-away-from-home meals were from a fast-food restaurant.
The percentage of adults who saw nutrition information on a fast-food restaurant menu increased from 20 percent in 2007-08 to 42 percent in 2015-16. The percentage of adults who saw nutrition information on a sit-down restaurant menu increased from 16 to 27 percent.
However, the percentage of adults who used nutrition information on a fast-food restaurant menu was 41 percent in 2015-16, up only 1 percent from 2007-08. The number of adults who used nutrition information on a sit-down restaurant menu actually declined, from 53 percent in 2007-08 to 43 percent in 2015-16.
The survey found that the MyPlate guide to support healthy eating is not widely known by consumers.
The survey found 24 percent of adults reported that they had heard of MyPlate in 2015-16, up from 20 percent in 2013-14. Among those who heard of MyPlate, the survey found the percentage of adults who had tried to follow the recommendations in the MyPlate plan remained stable at 35 percent over these two time periods.
Research shows women truck drivers are safer truck drivers than men, at least according the conclusion of the American Transportation Research Institute’s Crash Predictor Model. The model statistically estimates the likelihood of future crash involvement based on specific truck driving behaviors, according to a news release.
Published in 2018, the 62-page report, draws data from over 435,000 U.S. truck drivers over a 2-year time period to reveal nearly a dozen behaviors that raise a driver’s risk of being involved in a future truck crash by more than 50 pecent.
Female truck drivers were safer than male counterparts in every statistically significant safety behavior and men were 20 percent more likely to be involved in a crash than women, the study reports.
“ATRI’s Crash Predictor Model is a key input to our driver hiring and training practices,” John Prewitt, president of Tideport Distributing Inc., said in the release.
“Safety is our first concern and by understanding how driver histories relate to future crash probability, we can develop targeted solutions for minimizing safety risks.”
Other key findings from the report, according to the release, are:
- The top 2 behaviors for predicting future crash involvement, each with more than 100 percent increased likelihood of a future crash, are a reckless driving violation and a failure to yield right of way violation;
- Prior crash involvement continues to have a statistically significant relationship to future crash involvement with a 74 percent increase of the likelihood of being in a future crash; and
- Other statistically significant predictors of future crash involvement including convictions for improper lane/location, reckless/careless/inattentive/negligent driving, and improper or erratic lane change.
The report also provides a list of states that have proven track records of maximizing their enforcement resources while minimizing their share of the nation’s truck crashes.
Indiana tops that list, followed by New Mexico, Washington, California and Maryland, according to the release.