Posts Tagged “feature”
California’s Westside melon season should get underway by early July, right on schedule, and growers expect ample supplies of melons this summer.
Cantaloupe volume should reach 14 million 40-pound cartons, up from just over 13 million cartons last year, according to the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board of Dinuba, CA.
Del Mar Packing in Westley, Calif., has a full line of conventional and organic melons. This year, the company has added organic seedless and seeded watermelons.
Harvesting of conventional honeydew and cantaloupe melons will start first week of July for Del Mar Packing the company expects to be shipping nationwide through October.
Because of the large number of watermelon growers throughout the nation, the company concentrates on West Coast customers for its watermelon program.
Volume will be the same as last year for many items, but there will be added supplies of organic and conventional hami melons and a few more conventional honeydews at Del Mar Packing.
Classic Fruit Co. of Fresno, CA is in the second year of an alliance with Westside Produce of Firebaugh, CA.
The alliance provides the companies with more opportunities to supply fruit to customers on a year-round basis.
The two companies had worked together for more than 25 years before forming an official partnership. Now they have an integrated sales, growing, harvesting, crewing and shipping operation that combines Classic Fruit Co.’s offshore program and Westside’s operations.
The companies will transition from Yuma, AZ, and start shipping cantaloupes and honeydews from the Firebaugh area July 1.
Turlock Fruit Co. Inc. of Turlock, CA grows cantaloupes, honeydews and several kinds of mixed melons.
Cantaloupes are just starting with honeydews following the first week of July. Specialty melons should be underway by July 10.
U.S. apple exports to Mexico had a big increase the during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same time frame a year ago, according to the latest data from the USDA.
Mexico accounts for 35% of the total share of U.S. fresh apple exports, reaching a volume of over 440 million pounds during Q1 of 2024, up from nearly 298 million pounds during the same period in 2023.
In 2023, U.S. apple exports to all destinations grew 6% in value compared to 2022, reaching $926 million.
That year, exports to Canada, the second-largest market for the product, dropped to $166 million in value, an 18% drop. This trend seems to remain in the present season as volumes to the country in Q1 dropped from over $204 million in 2022-23 to just about $190 million in 2023-24.
However, in these two destinations, the U.S. enjoys the largest share of apple imports, with 84% in Canada, above Chile and New Zealand, and 96% in Mexico, with limited competition from Chile.
The U.S. Apple Association, reports an “exceptional” harvest had led to an unprecedented amount of apples remaining in storage level.
Earlier this year, apple growers reported they were struggling with oversupply, saying they were finding it increasingly difficult to secure buyers for their surplus.
Experts have reported this may be the biggest year for U.S. apple production on record.
The USDA’s latest Non-citrus Fruits and Nuts reports estimated a total of 270 million bushels of apple production with Washington leading national production reaching 181 million bushels.
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Georgia growers expect a strong spring/summer season despite a late start in some regions caused by heavier-than-usual spring rains.
“This year, growing conditions have been generally favorable,” said Matthew Kulinski, director of marketing for the Georgia Department of Agriculture. “We anticipate a robust season.”
Georgia produces an extensive assortment of fruits and vegetables at this time of year, including peaches, Vidalia onions, blueberries, watermelons, tomatoes, cucumbers and sweet corn.
Volume statewide should be up slightly compared to last year, with a substantial improvement for peaches and blueberries, Kulinski said.
Baker Farms in Norman Park, Ga., will market collards, kale, turnips, mustard, broccoli, beets, chard, cilantro, parsley, cabbages, zucchini and several kinds of squashes, said Heath Wetherington, chief operating officer.
The area received more rainfall than usual, but the storms were spaced out and temperatures were mostly normal.
Volume should be similar to last year at Baker Farms.
Beet sales should be up in response to increased demand, but the cabbage market has been tough, Wetherington said, probably because of oversupply in the Southeast.
“The market has been strong on some items, such as broccoli and beets, but very weak in others,” he said.
Prices of greens have been consistent, which allows the company “to plan ahead pretty accurately for the year without taking many hard, unexpected losses.”
Reidsville, Ga.-based Shuman Farms began shipping Vidalia onions in mid-April and will continue through Labor Day, said John Shuman, president and CEO.
The company has expanded its Vidalia onion program by 30% after acquiring the assets of Vidalia, Ga.-based Generation Farms, he said.
Packing capabilities also have been bolstered, and capital improvements to existing facilities have increased the firm’s storage capacity by nearly 25%, Shuman added.
Bland Farms, Glennville, Ga., will offer Vidalia sweet onions in a variety of sizes until early August then switch to its Peruvian program followed by Mexico, said CEO Troy Bland.
“We harvested a fantastic crop this year,” he said. “We are packing and shipping high-quality Vidalia sweet onions.”
Bland Farms accounts for about 25% of Vidalia sweet onion volume and plants more crops every year, he said.
The sweet onion market should be similar or slightly higher than the past two years, Bland said.
Fresh Farms, doing business as MJ International Marketing, Rio Rico, AZ announces a significant milestone in its journey of growth and expansion. With the recent acquisition of a new farm in California, Fresh Farms reaffirms its commitment to excellence and innovation in the agricultural industry.
For over 40 years, the Molina family has been cultivating table grapes and a wide variety of fresh vegetables. With the founding of “Las Mercedes,” their flagship farm in Mexico, the Molina Group embarked on a path of continuous growth and achievement.
“Decades of exploration and hard work allow us to supply grapes starting in mid-March from our farms in Jalisco, followed by production from our Sonoran ranches in May and June and subsequently from California starting in July and suppling customers through November,” said Juan Pablo Molina, General Manager of Fresh Farms.
In 2006, their vision for direct market connection led to the establishment of Fresh Farms, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey which further solidified their presence, laying the groundwork for planned international expansion.
In 2011, Fresh Farms made a significant leap with the acquisition of Visalia Produce Sales, a California-based company renowned for its expertise in table grapes, citrus, and specialty fruits. This strategic move enhanced Fresh Farms’ market position and its growth trajectory.
Today, Fresh Farms is acknowledged as a hallmark of excellence in the industry, with sales offices in Mexico, Arizona, and California, supported by a top-notch sales team.
Volumes from California are ramping up, reaching 15.5 million pounds in week 20. In terms of imports, Colombia is second to Mexico, with 3.3 million pounds imported into the U.S. during week 20. Peru earned third place for imports with 2.4 million pounds.
The latest report from Avobook shows that in week 20, Mexican avocado exports to the U.S. dropped below 40 million pounds for the first time since 2023, reaching 33.4 million pounds.
Projections from the Hass Avocado Board show that volumes from Peru should peak between weeks 29 and 31, reaching 18 million pounds.
Colombia is currently at its peak season, and volumes are expected to remain above 1 million pounds per week until August.
In week 20, Mexican avocado exports to the U.S. were lower than in 2023, when the country exported around 45 million pounds.
California’s Avocado Commission report they expect good volumes through the July 4th holiday, after which shipments will decrease.
“Demand in April was quite strong and the percentage of the crop harvested this year is ahead of last year. In early May, about 25% of the California avocado crop has been picked,” said Terry Splane, vice president of marketing for the California Avocado Commission.
The report shows outside the U.S., Canada is the main destination of Mexican avocados. The state of Michoacan has sent 58% of its exports (excluding the U.S.) to Canada.
Jalisco exported over 60% of its avocados to the U.S. between weeks 1 and 15 of 2024, followed by Canada with just over 17%.
For Michoacan, Asia is its second-largest export market, with almost 25% of its exports (excluding the U.S.).
The total inventory of conventional and organic Hass avocados registered in the U.S. on week 20 was 67.7 million pounds of which 37 million pounds came from Mexico, 24 million from California, and 4.7 million from Colombia. The remainder came from the Dominican Republic and Peru.
Sales in week 20 rose to 53.2 million pounds.
Last month the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board (CCAB) introduced an exciting new concept for a meatless burger to attendees at the International Fresh Produce Association/Foundation for Fresh Produce (FFP) Consumer Connection Conference in Dinuba, CA.
“What better place to roll out our new campaign featuring this unique vegan burger made from fresh cantaloupe?” said Garrett Patricio, Chairman of CCAB and President of year-round melon supplier, Westside/Classic. “This group already understands that fresh produce suppliers can gain new customers, especially younger ones, with exciting ideas for using fresh produce.”
As part of the the Consumer Connection Conference, Emily Holdorf, influencer and community manager for FFP, shared data showing that Gen Z consumers are more health-focused than other generations. As an example, they are under indexing in alcohol consumption and over indexing in meat alternatives.
“This is exactly why we tapped New York-based Chef Will Horowitz who has developed a series of interesting meatless options using fresh produce like prosciutto made from radishes, hot dogs from carrots and even a watermelon ham,” said Marilyn Freeman, Farmers Communications Exchange, which serves as the marketing and public relations firm for the CCAB. “We were really excited for the produce industry members and influencers attending Consumer Connection to meet Will and to try the cantaloupe burger.”
Will Horowitz, the creator of the cantaloupe burger is an acclaimed New York based chef, food writer and culinary consultant.
Hailed by the NY Times in a 2016 front-cover exposé as a “fearless explorer of all things culinary.” He is most known as the former owner of well-awarded New York City restaurants Ducks Eatery and Harry & Ida’s Meat and Supply Co. And he is the inventor of multiple international food products and viral social media sensations. He specializes in integrating heritage food techniques and ingredients into modern renewable practices.
“For me as a chef, we want consumers to have all the options they are looking for. With the rise of vegan and plant-based diets, restaurants really don’t have a lot of options,” explains Horowtiz. “With items like the cantaloupe burger, we can take whole vegetables and whole fruits and prepare them using old processes like smoking, barbecuing and grilling. For us that’s much more of a natural route than taking something that is over-processed or created in some sort of laboratory and really isn’t in the same ethos as a farm-to-table restaurant.”
“We heard about Will and his watermelon “ham” that went viral back in 2018 before his restaurants closed during the pandemic,” explains Patricio. “But when we learned he had developed a cantaloupe burger, we were intrigued. After speaking with him about how and why he creates these products, we knew he would be a great fit with cantaloupe farmers and the produce industry in general.”
“We designed the cantaloupe burger so that consumers can look at this fruit in a completely new, reimagined way,” explains Horowitz. “In this concept, we wanted cantaloupe to really be the star of the plate. And people love burgers.
“The cantaloupe burger came about simply because of how much moisture was in the melon and how delicious they are from the start,” Horowitz continues. “We started by taking slightly under ripe cantaloupe, curing it and smoking it, so that when you bit into it, it wasn’t too sweet. I wouldn’t say it’s a replica of a burger. It’s really its own beautiful thing.”
The CCAB campaign has dubbed this smoked cantaloupe burger the Possible Burger. The recipe is posted on the organization’s website and this summer it will be promoted widely on social media. A how-to video, consumer giveaways, and more information about Will and why he created this concept will be coming soon.
“We started out letting the marketing professionals attending Consumer Connection try the burger,” said Freeman. “It was really well received and a lot of people were truly surprised at how great it tastes. A video of conference attendees experiencing the Possible Burger for the first time is featured here.”
According to the CCAB, this recipe can be made at home.
“We hope consumers will suspend their previous beliefs about cantaloupe and give this a try. Why not?” says Patricio.
The 2024 California Almond Forecast published May 10 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) estimates the crop harvested in 2024 will come in at 3 billion pounds, 21% higher than last year’s 2.47 billion pounds.
The forecasted yield is 2,170 pounds per acre, up 380 pounds from the 2023 harvest.
“This larger crop estimate is what the industry expected after a productive bloom this spring, but it is also a testament to the hard work done by almond farmers throughout California during difficult times,” said Clarice Turner, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California. “Demand for California almonds around the globe continues to grow and our almond farmers constantly deliver on producing high-quality California almonds to meet that demand.”
The report said, “The 2024 almond crop experienced fluctuating, but mostly favorable weather for the first half of the growing season. The bloom began the second week in February for the early varieties. There were a handful of storms that brought rain, wind, and hail to some areas, but overall mild temperatures and excellent weather from the end of February into early March helped boost pollination. Bee hours were reported to be significantly higher than last year … There was minimal to no threat of frost damage and water allocation is not an issue for the second year in a row.
This Subjective Forecast is the first of two production reports from USDA-NASS for the coming crop year. It is an estimate based on opinions from a survey conducted from April 19 to May 5 of 500 randomly selected California almond growers. The sample of growers, which changes every year, is spread across regions and different-sized operations, and they had the option to report their data by mail, online, or phone.
On July 10, USDA-NASS will release its second production estimate, the 2024 California Almond Objective Report, which will be based on actual almond counts in approximately 1,000 orchards using a more statistically rigorous methodology to determine yield. If the 3.0 billion pounds holds, it would be the second largest crop on record.
This Subjective Forecast comes two weeks after Land IQ’s 2024 Standing Acreage Initial Estimate found that bearing almond acreage in California has decreased about 600 acres from the previous year to 1.373 million acres.
Stemilt Growers of Wenatchee, WA is completing its transition from California cherry shipments to Washington cherry loadings.
As one of the nation’s largest suppliers of sweet cherries and a leader in Washington cherries, Stemilt grows conventional and organic cherries and three main types of sweet cherries that include dark-sweet, rainiers and proprietary Skylar Rae cherries. The marketer also is a leader in organic cherries.
Washington began loading cherries in early June and have a good supply in June and July. Washington’s cherry volume will taper off significantly in August because of a reduced late-season crop.
Stemilt says it has the longest season in the industry, with continuous supply daily that starts with its California cherry crop in late April and goes all the way through high-elevation cherries in Washington in August.
Last year’s cherry crop was difficult because of an overlap between California and Washington and compressed harvest windows in Washington, but 2024 crop is different.
California had a strong crop last year and returned with another one. The crop is currently estimated at 10.2 million 18-pound equivalent boxes. The first-round industry estimate in the Northwest was 20.9 million 20-pound equivalent boxes, which is an increase over last year.
The main difference is that the two states should see less overlap and retailers will have more shipping weeks in the season.
July will see good supplies of cherries, but volume will taper off quickly by August.
This is because high altitude orchards experienced a freeze in January that led to winter damage and significantly reduced crops. Excellent fruit quality and size is expected.
Washington’s late-cherry season is short, so the season will wrap earlier than normal. Sizing should be strong with average crop loads on the tree. Stemilt will harvest fewer Washington cherries this year because of the late-season loss.
Findings from a research program have shown that regular grape consumption is beneficial to heart, brain, skin, colon and immune health.
A study published in 2023 in scientific journal Food & Function that looked at the impact of regular grape consumption on biomarkers for eye health found that eating grapes for 16 weeks improved key markers for eye health in older adults, reports the California a Table Grape Commission of Fresno, CA.
Findings have been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Journal of Cancer Management and Research and Journal of Nutrition Research.
The California Table Grape Commission will focus on the health benefits of the Golden State’s table grapes as it launches its 2024-25 global marketing campaign, said Kathleen Nave, commission president.
The campaign, designed to drive demand for California table grapes, will target the U.S. and 21 export markets.
“Consumer research conducted in 2023 in the U.S. and 12 export markets showed that, in all markets, grape purchasers were motivated to purchase fresh grapes by knowing grapes have health benefits,” the commission noted. “Therefore, health messaging is a key component of the marketing campaign, and a new campaign focused on healthy snacking will launch with the new season.”
The commission is celebrating 25 years of its grape and health research program this year.
The California Table Grape Commission sees no reason why there shouild be good volume grape shipments though the end of the year. The season started in the Coachella Valley the week of May 13.
Hurricane Hilary hammered the grape crop last season, the industry during the peak harvest period, which caused a loss of about 30% of the initial projection for the crop. It was the smallest crop on record since 1994 for the state.
This year, the industry expects good volumes from June through the beginning of January.
The grape commission expects harvesting is to begin in the San Joaquin Valley in late June or early July, lasting into early December. Shipments of table grapes typically peak between August and November.
The initial estimate for the 2024 California table grape season is 94.4 million 19-pound boxes, down slightly from the 2020-2022 average of 96.6 million 19-pound boxes.