Posts Tagged “feature”
Colombia plans to increase avocado exports to the U.S. by 30 percent this year, after exporting 2,376 tons of avocados to the U.S. a year ago.
Corpohass reports growers are forecasting exports to the U.S. will continue increasing by 40 percent in 2023 and 50 percent in 2024. Corpohass promotes the production and marketing of Columbian avocados.
The organization has 262 farms capable of exporting up to 19,566 acres, and there are 313 farms under surveillance (for qualification) adding up to 22,823 acres.
Colombia in 2021 had a growth of 25 percent in tons exported to the world, while in value the growth was 39 percent compared to 2020.
Corpohass reports exports have already exceeded $200 million to 34 destinations around the world. During 2022 Corpohass expects a similar growth, of 25 percent to 30 percent.
REEDLEY, CA — Fruit World, a family-owned, grower-shipper of organic and conventional citrus and more, is reporting a strong season for their premium specialty citrus, including organic Minneola tangelos, Blood oranges and Cara Cara oranges. While California growers are experiencing shortened seasons of navel and mandarin oranges, Fruit World expects a gap-free and strong transition to Valencia season.
“Between last year’s heavy crop and early summer heat, the state has lower production volumes of navels and mandarins, but we’re maintaining good quantities to ship through an early season end of late-March to early-April,” said Bianca Kaprielian, Fruit World co-founder and CEO. “Ending the season early ensures high quality and exceptional color throughout. And since citrus is an alternate bearing crop, we predict a return to steady volumes next season.”
Fruit World expects a seamless transition from navels to Valencias by mid-April. The company anticipates consistent volumes of the summer variety, especially as the season ramps up in May, with availability through the beginning of October.
“We’re also seeing impressive volumes of quality fruit for our specialty citrus varieties, and expect to be shipping into April,” Kaprielian continued. “The overall quality is top notch, and supply is strong for our Minneolas, Blood oranges and Cara Caras, with peak flavor expected from now through the end of the season.”
This is also shaping up to be a banner year for organic lemons from both the Desert (District 3) and Central Valley (District 1) regions, with load volumes available weekly and excellent ad opportunities into May.
Kaprielian stated, “Our statewide growing regions provide us with year-round supply of lemons and orange varieties. In addition to coolers in the desert and Fillmore, we offer consolidated pickup—including desert production—at our cooler in Reedley.”
In the past five years, imports of Peruvian ag products have soared from seventh place in the ranking in 2017, to third place in 2021, a position that it retains for the third consecutive year.
At the same time, the demand for food in the U.S. has shown a steady rise. This was reflected in the increase in imports, going from $53.2 billion in 2017 to $63.5 billion in 2021, reflecting a growth of 19 percent.
During this period, one of the most favored countries with the highest U.S. demand was Peru. Purchases of fruits, vegetables, and grains went from $2.04 billion in 2017 to an estimated $3.23 billion in 2021, reflecting a growth of 58 percent, as reported by Agraria.
In 2021, grape imports in the U.S. totaled 680,162 tons for $2.073 billion, 2 percent more in volume and 10 percent more in value compared to the previous year. The main suppliers were Chile with a 38 percent share (3 percent less than the previous year), Peru with 32 percent (4 percent more), and Mexico with 27 percent (3 percent less).
Blueberry imports in the U.S. in 2021 reached 310,097 tons for $1.904 billion, 14 percent more in volume and 22 percent more in value compared to the previous year. The largest suppliers were Peru with 34 percent (3 percent more than the previous year), Canada with 26 percent (2 percent less), and Mexico with 21 percent (3 percent more).
Asparagus imports to the North American market totaled 294,364 tons for $751 million, 11 percent more in volume and 4 percent more in value compared to the previous year. The main suppliers in the U.S. were Mexico with 67 percent (3 percent more than the previous year), and Peru 32 percent (3 percent less).
In 2021, avocado imports in the U.S. totaled 1.19 million tons for $3.003 billion, 7 percent more in volume and 18 percent more in value compared to the previous year. The main suppliers were Mexico with 89 percent (1 percent less than the previous year), Peru with 7 percent (similar to the previous year), and the Dominican Republic with 3 percent (similar to the previous year).
Shipments of California strawberries continue to increase this month building towards a peak in April.
Well-Pict Berries of Watsonville, CA grows its Southern California strawberry varieties on approximately 1,200 acres in Oxnard, CA because the coastline provides moderate temperatures and a 12-month growing season.
Shipments both conventional and organic berries are expected to be similar to recent years, Well-Pict reports. Peak loadings begin towards the end of March, beginning of April.
Naturipe Farms of Salinas, CA has increased strawberry acreage in Oxnard and additional acreage throughout the company’s main growing regions in California. It’s Southern California shipments will peak in April.
While the company will have its best volume in spring, it also expects good volumes of fresh strawberries throughout the year.
Naturipe has increased its organic strawberries acreage this year over 20 percent.
Naturipe is promoting bigger packs of strawberries this year to help counter higher freight rates. By shipping 2-pound packs, the company can get 14 percent more weight on a truck versus the 1-pound pack.
Just one in 10 Americans eat recommended levels of vegetables, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control.
In 2019, the CDC report said 12.3% and 10% of surveyed adults met fruit and vegetable intake recommendations, respectively.
Hispanic adults had the highest fruit intake average (16.4%), meeting recommended consumption levels, while males (10.1%) had the lowest average.
In 2019, the median frequency of reported fruit intake was once per day, the report said.
Adults over age 51 had the highest average (12.5%) for eating vegetables at recommended levels, while the lowest average for vegetables was found with adults with low income (6.8%).
The CDC said the median frequency of reported vegetable intake was 1.6 times per day, ranging from 1.5 times per day in Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and New Mexico to 1.9 times per day in Maine and Vermont.
West Virginia had the lowest level of its population meeting fruit intake recommendations (8.4%), while Connecticut had the highest (16.1%). Kentucky had the lowest level of its population meeting recommended intake levels for vegetables (5.6%), while Vermont had the highest (16%).
The report said perceived barriers to fruit and vegetable consumption include cost, limited availability and access.
“For some persons, such barriers might have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, related to economic and supply chain disruptions that could further limit ability to access healthier foods,” the report said. “Tailored intervention efforts to increase fruit and vegetable intake are needed to reduce age, sex, racial/ethnic and income disparities in meeting fruit and vegetable intake recommendations among U.S. adults.”
Divine Flavor LLC of Nogales, AZ is ramping up Southern hemisphere grape volume from Peru, Chile, and South Africa.
The grower-distributor anticipates a strong second-half of the season on premium red and white seedless grapes coming from those regions with their new vineyards in Jalisco, Mexico at Grupo Alta.
The company report the next 6-8 weeks should provide plenty of volume for premium red seedless.
White seedless grape supplies will also continue steadily in decent volumes of Sweet Globe and Autumn Crisp coming from Peru, Chile, and South Africa.
Divine Flavor has been involved with the import deal for the past five years and the company has established strong roots with growers such as Ecosac located in Puira, Peru and Santa Elena and Unifrutti who have growing regions throughout Chile.
The different growing areas complement each other to provide grapes from November through July.
The month of March will see more shipments of specialty varieties such as the company’s Jellyberries and Candy Hearts, followed by the Chilean Muscat Beauty. Divine Flavor will transition to their Jalisco season at Grupo Alta the first weeks of April starting with Timpson, followed by Sweet Globe and Autumn Crisp, all premium white seedless, and finally in this region; Cotton Candy.
Florida Classic Growers Inc. of Dundee- FL looks to start harvesting Central Florida fields the last week of March.
The shipper expects to have blueberries through the month of April and into the first week of May.
Freezing temperatures in January may have delayed the start of the harvest about a week later than normal, but the outlook for the crop remains good.
With berries from Mexico and Chile expected to fade at the end of March, Florida blueberries will be in prime position for big demand during April.
The Florida blueberry crop is doing well despite a pretty hard freeze.
Generally, Florida blueberry acreage is increasing, but not as rapidly as a decade ago. The number of growers may be declining as smaller growers leave the business.
The USDA reported that Florida’s blueberry acreage in 2020 was 4,400 acres, up from 3,500 acres in 2010 but down from 5,100 acres in 2019.
Watermelon is a unique fruit with compounds that may have health effects throughout the body, supporting normal cardiovascular and metabolic health, a new study has found.
According to a new comprehensive review of the scientific literature on watermelon, eating watermelon regularly may help promote health. This research paper, authored by Britt Burton-Freeman, Ph.D., and colleagues from Illinois Institute of Technology was recently published in the journal Current Atherosclerosis Reports.
“Research is unveiling the health-promoting potential of watermelon. The current literature review provides evidence that watermelon intake and citrulline supplementation lower blood pressure in human trials. Although more research is needed, favorable effects on lipids/lipoprotein metabolism are emerging based on the data we reviewed and reported in preclinical models,” said lead author Burton-Freeman.
According to the research, watermelon contains essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. It also contains the amino acids citrulline and arginine, which both act as a precursor to nitric oxide, a molecule that plays a role in blood pressure regulation, lipid reduction and glucose control. Polyphenols and carotenoids, particularly lycopene, are also abundant in watermelon.
The nitric oxide benefits of citrulline and arginine coupled with the bioactivity of polyphenols and carotenoids found in watermelon suggests that this fruit may support normal cardio-metabolic health.
Burton-Freeman and colleagues reviewed the preclinical and clinical trial evidence published from 2000 to 2020 to assess watermelon intake and citrulline (a signature compound found in watermelon) on cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes, and to identify future directions important for establishing dietary guidance and recommendations.
They explored studies related to the whole fruit as well as citrulline supplementation, focusing on key cardio-metabolic risk factors. More research is needed to confirm findings of the studies identified in this literature review.
The investigators concluded that watermelon provides a combination of nutrients and phytochemicals working across multiple mechanisms to induce biological effects. Citrulline and arginine are central to these cardio-metabolic effects, and polyphenols, lycopene, potassium and magnesium contribute as well.
Continued research is needed to determine the level of sufficient intake for clinical outcomes and will also need to be studied in a variety of populations. Research on the whole fruit and its products (i.e., juice) is also needed to help determine the level of sufficient intake.
The research identified additional potential benefits from watermelon consumption that warrant further research, such as body weight control (possibly through satiety mechanisms), glucose control, and brain and gut health.
Low fruit intake is one of three dietary factors associated with death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), as are high salt intake and low whole-grain intake. These dietary factors affect people regardless of age, sex and other socio-demographic variables.1 Recent research also shows that eating a variety of fruit helps reduce the risk of T2DM2, while the amount of fruit and the type of fruit selected provide cardiovascular benefits
Vanguard International USA, Inc. of Issaquah, WA is reported its Peruvian grapes supplied by Jack Salute are looking exceptional with great size, color, and taste. The bunch formation is just where it should be.
Harvesting is approaching the end of the red variety grapes, with the season wrapping up the last month with green variety grapes.
The operations are moving seamlessly with a steady and organized flow from fruit picking, then onto the packing house, and finally sending the grapes off in vessels. The harvest has entered the last half of the season and optimism is surrounding the final half of this 2021-2022 grape season in terms of both fruit quality and market demand.
The U.S. is the number one destination for Peruvian grape exports.
U.S. organic fresh produce imports are surging, according to USDA import statistics.
Mexico is a leading source of imported organic produce, according to the USDA, and top organic produce imports tracked by the agency include avocados, blueberries, greenhouse peppers, bananas and mangoes.
Value of U.S. imports of Mexican produce, for the December 2020 through November 2021 period, were:
- Avocados: $171.4 million, up 44% from 2020 and 2019;
- Blueberries: $138.7 million, up 40% from 2020 and up 133% from 2019;
- Greenhouse peppers: $85.2 million, up 18% from 2020 and up 31% from 2019;
- Bananas: $84.4 million, up 5% from 2020 and up 44% from 2019;
- Mangoes (September through May): $22.8 million, up 51% from 2020 and up 96% from 2019;
- Mangoes (June through August): $22.8 million, up 60% from 2020 and up 180% from 2019;
- Squash: $20.2 million, down 17% from 2020 and up 3% from 2019;
- Bell peppers (field): $18.5 million, up 64% from 2020 and up 186% from 2019;
- Raspberries: $15.9 million, no comparison available;
- Strawberries: $9.78 million, no comparison available; and
- Blackberries: $8.55 million, no comparison available.
U.S. imports of Peruvian organic produce are increasing fast, according to USDA statistics
Value of U.S. imports of Peruvian produce for the December 2020 through November 2021 period, were:
- Blueberries: $134.1 million, up 125% from 2020 and up 185% from 2019;
- Bananas: $40.8 million, up 4% from 2020 and down 4% from 2019;
- Ginger: $29.02 million, up 27% from 2020 and up 131%;
- Avocados: $15.9 million, down 4% from 2020 and down 7% from 2019; and
- Mangoes (September through May): $6.2 million, up 3% from 2020 and up 20% from 2019;
Ecuador is a leading supplier of organic bananas to the U.S. market.
Value of U.S. imports of Ecuador produce, for the December 2020 through November 2021 period, were:
- Bananas: $122.7 million, up 4% from 2020 and down 4% from 2019; and
- Mangoes: $2.5 million, down 15% from 2020 and down 30% from 2019.
Chile is a significant supplier of organic blueberries and apples to the U.S.
Value of U.S. imports of Chilean produce for the December 2020 through November 2021 period were:
- Blueberries: $84.8 million, up 26% from 2020 and up 44% from 2019; and
- Apples: $21.1 million, up 4% from 2020 and down 36% from 2019.
Imports of organic bananas to the U.S. from Colombia totaled $76.7 million in 2021, up 24% from 2020 and up 28% from 2019.
U.S. imports of organic pears from Argentina totaled $9.2 million in 2021, up 19% from 2020 and down 2% from 2019. U.S. imports of organic lemons from Argentina totaled $1 million in 2020, up 374% from 2020 and up 281% from 2019.
New Zealand organic apple shipments to the U.S. totaled $22.7 million in 2021, up 14% from 2020 and down 9% compared with 2019.