Archive For The “News” Category
A processing/packing facility is opening by Church Brothers Farms and its processing company, True Leaf Farms. It is located just across the U.S. border in Mexico to increase year-round supplies.
The plant, in San Luis Rio Colo., south of Yuma, Ariz., will be growing whole leaf lettuce, broccoli florets, iceless broccoli and green onions with an opening anticipated by the end of the year.
The plant, at almost 111,000 square feet, will handle vegetables grown in Mexico and the U.S.
“The new facility will allow us to produce during the summer months, where in the past we were limited to only green onions and other seasonal items,” the company said in a news release. “Now we will be sourcing from Mexico year-round to meet our U.S. customers’ growing needs.”
The facility, known as CB Mexico, will be Custom Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) certified, allowing trucks to enter the U.S. faster. CB Mexico is 29 miles south of Church Brothers’ two Yuma facilities.
Other U.S. companies with facilities in the area include Kenworth, Gulfstream and Honeywell.
Earth Blend
Agrocir, a Hermosillo, Sonora, has created a Nogales sales and distribution company. The vegetable grower has been in business since the mid-1960s. The new firm is EarthBlend LLC, which expects to handle almost 4 million cases of Mexican produce this season.
EarthBlend started shipping a variety of vegetables in the October to December timeframe, running into May. These vegetables include a wide variety of hard and soft squash, green Bells, elongated red Bells, tomatillos and a handful of hot pepper varieties.
In the fall and spring seasons, EarthBlend plans to ship seedless and mini-watermelons, honeydew and cantaloupe.
The majority of EarthBlend’s production will be coming from Agrocir’s Hermosillo and Guaymas, Sonora farms. Independent growers are located throughout Sonora and Sinaloa.
Agrocir’s cucumbers and Bell peppers will be produced in shade houses. The squash varieties and melons are produced in open fields.
Playing the spot market with freight rates on fresh produce is common with owner operators and small fleet owners. However, refrigerated fleets for years have often negotiated seasonal, if not year around rates.
The fleets see advantages to having more predictable produce rates with higher rates in the slower winter months, but lower ones during the peak shipping seasons of spring and summer.
However, record produce rates this past year has changed ways of doing business, not only for the fleets, but the produce shippers. For example, uncertainty surrounding freight rates has resulted in some Idaho grower-shippers of potatoes to shy away from quoting delivered prices for potato price contracts.
Sun-Glo of Idaho Inc., in Sugar City, has chosen not to take on the risk of volatile transportation rates by quoting delivered prices. The company has found trucking companies refusing to quote set rates, because of the uncertainties in trucking. If those fleets are unwilling to take the risk of contract rates, then the grower-shippers are not going to risk giving delivered prices.
Much higher truck rates have occurred, at least in part, by the implementation of electronic logging device (ELD) regulations last year. Higher truck rates is one of the biggest complaints of grower-shippers. Instead, companies such as Sun-Glo are quoting prices for their potatoes, something which they are in control.
Other shippers are doing business in a similar fashion. Wada Farms Marketing Group LLC of Idaho Falls, ID has indicated it may lose some customers this shipping season because Wada no longer is offering a delivered price contract. It has some contracts with trucking companies to haul potatoes, but it is on a month-to-month contract basis. Six month to one year contracts with truckers has become a rarity. Since Wade Farms cannot get seasonal or yearly contracts with trucking companies, it is avoiding offering delivered price contracts to customers.
Wade Farms has even inserted some flexibility clauses into contracts. For example. if there is an extreme shortage of trucks or holiday overages, it is not locked in to the same price.
Shippers have long complained of retail chains driving down prices on the produce they purchase. Potandon Produce LLC of Idaho Falls, ID has pointed out in the current truck rate environments, some retailers are looking to drive down f.o.b. prices to maintain delivered costs.
In a effort to cut shipping costs Potandon say if offers potato buyers a premium Idaho potato, or it can source spuds from 16 other states which may be closer to their customers. The company continues to seek alternative shipping methods to cut costs.
Potandon is still offering customers delivered prices and says it has the advantage of an in-house transportation department which is in constant contact with freight carriers to get the amount of trucks needed.
Six container ships will be replacing existing boats owned by Del Monte Fresh Produce for its East Coast fleet used for delivering produce from Central and South America to the U.S. In other news, the Port of Tampa is now receiving pineapples.
The first ship is estimated to be ready in late 2019, according to a news release.
The vessels were designed by Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute in Shanghai, China, and are being built at the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute, Guangzhou, China.
Each vessel will have a capacity of 634 40-foot high cube container capacity, according to the release.
Dennis Christou, vice president of marketing for Del Monte, said the new container vessels will increase the company’s tonnage capacity and “speed to market.”
“The new energy efficient vessels are designed to meet the most stringent (International Maritime Organization) emission control regulations coming into effect in 2020,” Christou said.
Christou noted Del Monte was one of the first large-scale banana companies to receive SCS Carbon Neutral Certification for banana operations in Costa Rica.
The new ships will reduce air pollution and fuel consumption.
“These new ships are an extension of our sustainability commitment on the high seas,” he said in the release.
Port Tampa Bay
Port Logistics Refrigerated Services at Port Tampa Bay, FL, recently received its first shipment of pineapples.
Chestnut Hills Farms of Miami was the recipient of the initial arrival, which came from Costa Rica to the cold storage company at the port. Refrigerated containers of the fruit arrived at the cold storage facility several weeks ago. The shipment, loaded at the Port of Moin in Costa Rica, was delivered by the Seacat Line in a new ship, the M/V Juice Express.
“This new routing provides us with excellent access to serve our customers in Florida and throughout the Southeastern United States,” Raul Romero, president and chief operating officer at Chestnut Hill Farms, said in the release. “We expect this will be the first of regular ongoing shipments.”
The new Port Logistics Refrigerated Services on-dock cold storage facility has on-site USDA/Customs and Border Protection inspection and fumigation services. The 130,000-square-foot facility has 102 refrigerated container plugs and a dedicated mobile harbor crane.
In February, the facility made possible the first shipments of bananas in more than 20 years at the port. The shipment, of more than 3,900 pallets of Chiquita-brand bananas, originated from Ecuador.
By Wonderful Halos
LOS ANGELES – Wonderful Halos, America’s fastest-selling mandarin brand, prepares to kick off its biggest season ever this November with a $30 million integrated marketing campaign designed to accelerate category growth and keep the brand in its No. 1 leadership position.
The multifaceted campaign features the brand’s popular “Good Choice Kid” television commercials, along with Halos’s biggest digital investment yet, which will substantially increase visibility across all digital platforms. Facebook and Instagram “blasts” will further remind nearly 30 million consumers that sweet, seedless and easy-to-peel Halos are back in stores. The campaign will be amplified by national FSIs, a New York City Times Square digital billboard, PR, and an expanded influencer campaign.
“Each season gets sweeter and sweeter for Wonderful Halos,” said Adam Cooper, vice president, marketing, The Wonderful Company. “Last year was our best selling season ever, with Halos contributing 27 percent of total produce dollar growth. In addition to being recognized as the No. 1 healthy snack brand among both parents and kids, Halos’s multimillion-dollar campaign is designed to drive sales by promoting new everyday snacking occasions to keep the brand top of mind, top of the category and top of the shopping list.”
Halos will build upon the success of last season’s biggest in-store point-of-sale (POS) display program ever, adding a new Halos fruit stand display to its “Grove of Goodness” collection. The high-graphic, vibrant fruit stand is completely merchandisable and brings to life the process of delivering mandarins from tree to table. Halos is also bringing back its popular Grove Tree display. The displays give retailers flexibility to showcase product beyond produce and in less traditional areas of their stores, including the frozen food aisle, deli, pharmacy, and at checkout. Last year’s POS program featured 20,000 displays at retailers who experienced double the sales growth versus retailers without Halos POS displays.
Wonderful Halos are sold in 3-lb and 5-lb bags and 5-lb boxes, and will be back in stores by early November.
About Wonderful® Halos®
Wonderful® Halos® are sweet, seedless and easy-to-peel mandarins filled with “Pure Goodness®.” The kid-sized fruit is available in produce aisles nationwide at grocery, mass and club retailers during California mandarin season (November–May). To discover more about the fun, delicious world of Halos®, visit halosfun.com.
About Wonderful Citrus
Wonderful Citrus is America’s largest integrated grower, shipper and packer of fresh citrus, including clementine/mandarin, navel and Valencia oranges; lemons; limes; grapefruits; and other citrus varieties. Wonderful Citrus owns, cultivates and harvests nearly 60,000 acres of fresh citrus, and ships around the world each year to ensure a year-round supply.
Wonderful Citrus is part of The Wonderful Company, a fast-growing privately held $4 billion company with 9,000 employees worldwide. We’ve made Wonderful® Pistachios America’s fastest-growing snack brand. We’ve turned pomegranates and POM Wonderful® into a worldwide phenomenon. Wonderful® Halos® is the No. 1 mandarin orange in America. FIJI® Water is the No. 1 premium imported bottled water in America. JUSTIN® Vineyards & Winery produces California’s top-selling, high-end Cabernet Sauvignon. And Teleflora® is the world’s leading floral delivery service.
The Wonderful Company has a long-standing commitment to corporate social responsibility, including more than $200 million invested in environmental technologies and sustainability research, $50 million in charitable giving and education initiatives every year, $100 million toward the construction of two charter school campuses in California’s Central Valley, and innovative health and wellness programs, including two new, free primary care clinics for employees and their dependents.
California’s Ventura County strawberries remains the top crop and the county’s 10 leading crops in terms of value are mostly fruits and vegetables, according to the Ventura County Crop & Livestock Report for 2017. The report details changes in value for different fruits and vegetables.
Kale, riding a wave of popularity in recent years, dropped off the top 10 list in 2017, replaced by cabbage. Celery moved up a slot to Number 3, switching places with nursery stock.
The 10 leading crops in Ventura County in 2017, with values in millions from 2017 and (2016), and ranking last season:
- 1. Strawberries $654.3, ($654.9, No.1)
- 2, Lemons $258.6, ($276, No. 2)
- Celery $210.4, ($202.4, No. 4)
- Nursery stock $198, (206.8, No. 3)
- Raspberries $166.7, ($171.2, No. 5)
- Avocados $118.7 ($129, No. 6)
- Cut flowers $49.9 ($48, No. No. 8)
- Tomatoes $47.5 ($48, No. 9)
- Peppers $45.8 ($61.1 No. 7)
- Cabbage $33.9 ($29.5; not on list)
Other million-dollar crops in the county this year, and value in millions, include kale ($31.6); total lettuce ($29.9); cilantro ($25.1); and blueberries ($20.8).
Organic fruit and nut production in Ventura County continued to grow in 2017, with total value going from $133.4 million from 5,019 acres to $167.1 million on 6,260 acres, according to the report.
Organic vegetables and herbs in Ventura County, however, dropped, from $40.7 million from 2,290 acres in 2016, to $30.2 million from 2,500 acres.
Throughout the report, growers tell their stories on how the Thomas Fire affected their operations in the last year. The fire broke out in early December and lasted just over a month, burning homes and affecting lemon and avocado production. At the time, it was the largest wildfire in California history, but it has already been surpassed by fires this summer. According to the report, the stories/testimonials serve “as a tribute to the strength and resilience of Ventura County’s agricultural industry …”
“Avocados take several years to come into production,” Deborah Brokaw Jackson of Brokaw Ranch Co., said in the report. “Even if we could replant right away, we are looking at about six years to full recovery.”
She said about 40% of the company’s avocado trees — 60 acres —are unlikely to make a full recovery, and nurseries in the region won’t have trees available until 2021 due to demand.
Gordon Kimball of Kimball Ranch said his operation’s recovery will also be long-term.
“The challenges we are facing due to the Thomas Fire are economic losses and financing the operation going forward,” Kimball said in the report. “Not all of the costs scale down by the reduction in tree count. Then there’s getting the replacement trees since the nurseries were sold out two years before the fire.”
by Mission Produce
Mission Produce, the industry leader in producing, distributing, and marketing fresh Hass avocados has opened a state-of-the-art, ripening and distribution center in Portland, Ore. This new forward distribution center (FDC), will expand Mission’s capabilities in the Pacific-Northwest.
“Portland, Ore., is a great location for our new FDC,” stated Ben Barnard, Vice President of Global Partnerships and Business Development. “This new facility at 58,000 square feet, will expand our ripe capacity by providing 10 ripe rooms that are each capable of storing 24 pallets. Also, the facility will enhance our cold storage by offering two coolers and a cutting-edge refrigerated control system,” continued Barnard. In addition to coolers, a refrigerated control system, and ripe rooms, the Portland facility will house five functional refrigerated loading docks and five temporary non-refrigerated docks.
“Mission is extremely excited about this new facility,” added Steve Barnard, President, and CEO. “We are always looking ahead and considering the demand for avocados. Our continued growth within the ripe category is necessary. This FDC is strategically positioned in Portland, Ore., to broaden our ripe capacities in the Pacific-Northwest region, keeping Mission within a 24-hour truck-drive away anywhere nationwide.”
Mission hosted a grand opening of the new facility last August. The event was for customers and potential partners to tour the FDC and meet members of the Mission team from quality, sales, and ripening. “Our team of Mission trained experts were thrilled to host this grand opening. They are ready to continue assisting the Pacific-Northwest region with their ripening expertise and knowledge of the avocado industry standards,” stated Ryan Fink, Vice President of North American Operations. “By continuing to expand our facilities, we are able to better serve our growing customer base with additional capacity to react when needed. Also, with the upgraded refrigeration and ripening controls we are able to continue to monitor and ensure conditions stay optimal to deliver the highest quality fruit to our customers daily.”
About Mission Produce:
Mission Produce owns and operates state-of-the-art avocado packing facilities in multiple global locations including California, Mexico, and Peru. In addition, the company’s global distribution network includes 11 ripening and distribution centers in North America, China, and Europe.
Following only one season of exporting dragon fruit, also known as pitahaya, the U.S. has become Ecuador’s second-largest market.
Quito-based Agricola Pitacava of Quito has shipped 40 metric tons of the tropical fruit, also known as pitahaya, to the U.S. compared to last season.
Ecuador exported 68 metric tops to its leading market, Hong Kong.
Market access by U.S. authorities was granted in June 2017, followed by the first exports taking place in September.
Some observers note the U.S. market, which now has a lot of people from Asia living it, turns out to be better than expected. Asians are familiar with red dragon fruit, as well as yellow dragon fruit.
Agricola Pitacava reports its exports to the U.S. are a little over 18 percent of its total volume of 220 metric tons, which also include exports to the Netherlands, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Ecuador’s export volume to the U.S. in the first year is unprecedented. For example, it took 5 years for Hong Kong to become the company’s top export market after it opened in 2013. There is a lot of optimism regarding the U.S. market, not only because of its large population, but it has higher incomes. This is important because is seen as one of the most expensive fruits.
Pitahaya often costs around $8 per pound in the U.S., compared to HKD69 (U.S. $8.80) in Hong Kong. In Europe the pitahayas are sold by per piece at €8 – 10 (US$9 – 11.50).
Consumer preferences vary widely between the west and the east regarding dragon fruit, or pitahaya. For example, in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, there is a preference for bigger fruit, of 300g and above. However in the U.S. consumers do not for pitahaya sizes and are purchasing smaller sizes from 180g to the big fruit that could be 450g.
Potato shipper Eagle Eye Produce, headquartered in Idaho Falls, ID, is loading potatoes out of Mattawa, WA, and Pioche, NV, with farming operations at each location with production and shipping facilities on each farm….Meanwhile Oregon onion shipper River Point Farms is shipping onions year around.
Eagle Eye Produce has found the Nevada growing area offers ideal growing for potatoes due to isolation and dry climate. This reduces disease issues which often hinders other growing regions. The company has a climate-controlled storage on site, providing it with the ability to ship potatoes starting in September and going through May.
In Mattawa, the Eagle Eye facility will provide about 2,500 truck loads of product available for shipment with a high percentage of No. 1’, which means excellent quality that is shipped to foodservice customers.
Eagle Eye started its new crop potato shipments on August 1st and will continue shipping through next July, which means it has potatoes year-round.
Eagle Eye Produce reports trucking and transportation issues remains one of the biggest challenges with the company and the produce industry.
This is resulting in Eagle Eye searching for alternate means of transportation for shipping product ranging from rail, to cold connect, and intermodal. There operation also has its own logistic department with a fleet of trucks that helps reduces the challenges it faces with transportation.
River Point Farms
River Point Farms, based in Hermiston, OR, is a vertically integrated, source-based onion supplier shipping whole skin-on, whole peel and cut onions to market 52 weeks per year.
The company is one of the largest onion shippers in the United States growing between 400 to 500 million pounds of onions annually. The firm has yellow, red, sweet yellow, sweet red, white and organic yellows on its farms in the Columbia Basin. River Point has a state-of-the-art packing and storage facilities allowing it to grow, store, pack and process quality onions year-round.
River Point Farms started its new crop of onion shipments in late June.
By Wish Farms
Plant City, FL – Family-owned, international berry supplier Wish Farms, will be breaking ground on its new, state-of-the-art headquarters. The Plant City property is a prime location next to Interstate 4 situated on Frontage Road, west of Park Road.
“Visibility was a major factor in the selection of the site, as that falls in line with the strategic vision for our brand,” said Wish Farms owner Gary Wishnatzki. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, approximately 115,000 vehicles travel along the stretch of highway every day. “We want to carry on the nearly 100-year old tradition between our company and this community, so I’m extremely pleased that we are staying in Plant City.”
Wish Farms’ recognizable consumer brand has seen a significant spike in popularity since it rebranded in 2010. Gaining traction with berry shoppers across the country, the move comes at good time for the company. Wish Farms’ Chief Operating Officer J.C. Clinard: “Space has been an issue for us during this growth period. The move is going to drastically increase our efficiency and scalability, while positively impacting the local economy.”
The Beck Group will be overseeing the construction on the 36-acre site, as well as the design-build of the 20,000-square foot, three-story office building. RCS Company of Tampa is tasked with constructing the 138,000-square foot warehouse. It will include blueberry and strawberry processing, pre-cooling, materials storage, and cooler space.
Keeping the company’s logo in mind, a “pixie theme” will be front and center. Beck’s team has been working closely with “Head Pixie”, Wishnatzki. He wants the new space to be unique. “We have a lot of fun and unexpected things planned; this is going to be a special place.” The new design, which incorporates the latest environmentally responsible and sustainable methods, will include a large solar array. “I see our new campus as a retention and recruiting tool for top talent, but I’m really excited that our new home is going to reflect our fun, family-friendly brand.”
The plan also calls for a treehouse conference space, being designed and built by James “B’fer” Roth, from DIY Network’s The Treehouse Guys. An adult-sized indoor slide and a large rooftop deck will be prominent features. The land contains a four-acre lake and a spring, which will be preserved to highlight the property’s natural beauty. A new organic blueberry farm will be planted to add to the company’s current offerings.
Joe Kuhn, the seller, was the third-generation of his family to possess the land. His grandfather, Andras, acquired it in 1929 as payment for a pre-depression loan. Coincidentally, both Wishnatzki and Kuhn’s grandfathers immigrated to the United States within a year of each other. “I’m very happy that the property is going to stay in the agriculture sector and with a company that has a special bond with the area. This is truly the best-case scenario for all,” said Kuhn.
Proceeds from the sale are going into the Kuhn Family’s charitable trust that will share funds with the community. Ribbon cutting is planned in the winter of 2019.
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About Wish Farms:
Wish Farms, founded in 1922 and third-generation owned, is a year-round supplier of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries growing both conventional and organic varieties.
by Produce Marketing Association
Newark, Del. – Richard Owen, the vice president of Global Membership & Engagement of the Produce Marketing Association, issued the following statement regarding the conclusion of negotiations between the United States, Canada and Mexico to update the free trade agreement among the three countries:
“The members of the Produce Marketing Association are pleased that negotiators have concluded discussions on an updated United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on trade. A single agreement is the best way to address the extensive relationships and investments in produce and floral production and sales that have developed in North America. This agreement is consistent with our overarching goals of free and fair trade and we hope that the new agreement will be quickly ratified by all three countries.
We are encouraged by the certainty that this new agreement provides to companies doing business in North America. The 6-year review and 16-year duration of the agreement give confidence for future investment to further build and expand trade among the countries as our members work to supply consumers’ expectations of a vast range of fresh produce and floral products year-round. Some of our members sought provisions on seasonal products not included in the final agreement, and we appreciate commitments from negotiators to continue to examine opportunities to address their concerns.”
About Produce Marketing Association
Produce Marketing Association (PMA) is the leading trade association representing companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. PMA helps members grow by providing connections that expand business opportunities and increase sales and consumption.
By United Fresh Produce Association
“United Fresh is encouraged by the news that a revised tri-lateral agreement has been reached between the United Stated, Mexico and Canada. The strong relationships our members have established between these three countries have helped enable the growth of the fresh produce industry over the last quarter century. Coming on the heels of United Fresh’s annual Washington Conference and the inaugural Global Trade Forum in which this issue was front, and center and where attendees heard directly from key U.S. negotiators, the announcement of this revised agreement highlights the importance of our continued engagement on key policy issues by those in the produce industry. United Fresh looks forward to working with Congress to achieve the swift approval of this new agreement.”