Posts Tagged “feature”
Colombia’s exports to the United States increased from 5 percent to 15 percent, with several produce items showing increases during the first quarter of 2025.
This growth triples the 5 percent increase recorded by the country’s total exports to the rest of the world, according to Redagricola, using figures from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE).
A highlight of the report is the boost in non-mining and energy exports, which reached $2.413 billion, representing a 25 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Among the products that registered the greatest sales increases were unroasted coffee, with a 124 percent increase. Banana sales grew by 51 percent, while Hass avocados increased by over 300 percent. There were also increases in flowers, citrus fruits, and cocoa.
By region, Antioquia was the main exporter with more than $686 million, followed by Bogotá and Cundinamarca. Furthermore, regions such as Meta, Caldas, Casanare, and Cauca registered growth exceeding 100 percent, demonstrating positive momentum in non-traditional regions. In total, 23 of the 28 exporting departments surpassed $1 million in sales to the U.S.
In response, the president of the Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Colombia), María Claudia Lacouture, highlighted the importance of seizing opportunities with the U.S.
“The impact of seizing opportunities with the U.S. is undeniable. The numbers speak for themselves,” she said.
Lacouture also asserted that these results make it clear that strengthening relations with the U.S. is a priority.
“We need to keep diplomatic channels open and work on common interests. Opportunities exist, and we must seize them,” Lacouture said.
Texas watermelons this year have high quality and high yields, according to the Texas Watermelon Association of McAllen, TX.
With multiple cuttings of the crop combined with hot weather shipments are expected to continue into October. Hot weathers translates to high consumer demand for watermelons, the association notes.
About half of Texas-grown watermelons stay in and around the Lone Star State. The remainder are mostly shipped to other parts of the country, with some TWA members targeting larger eastern markets, including New York, and western growth areas, such as Colorado. There, they compete with international imports from Mexico, which are redistributed nationwide.
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The COVID-19 pandemic forced a lot of change on Americans when it came to food. Restaurants were closed. We had to wonder if we needed to disinfect our groceries for a while. That obsession with making sourdough started up.
But apparently people started eating more fresh fruit and vegetables too.
The USDA Economic Research Service released a report on the impacts of COVID-19 on food spending and diet on May 20. The report found that — as is common with negative economic events — the pandemic shifted American’s food purchasing behavior.
The report — U.S. Household Food Spending Post COVID-19 and the Implications for Diet Quality by ERS research agricultural economists Abigail Okrent and Eliana Zeballos — compared changes in household food spending in different groups before, during and after the pandemic (2016 to 2022).
“Economic recessions and slowdowns have profoundly influenced spending patterns on food as consumers navigate tighter budgets and uncertainty,” according to the report. “These changes in food consumption behaviors can have enduring effects on health, persisting long after a recession ends.”
Pandemic food purchasing
The economic shocks of the pandemic were unique compared to previous economic shocks in a few ways, according to the report. The main one was the closure of restaurants and stay-at-home orders around the country.
“This prompted significant shifts in the ways people purchased and acquired food, such as increased online shopping and home cooking,” the report said. More consumers bought food at grocery stores — referred to as food at home (FAH) in the report — during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic years of 2016 to 2019.
Buying more food at grocery stores compared to restaurants and other “food away from home” venues changed how consumers spent money on different food categories.
“On the one hand, 2020 had little to no association with spending on dairy, fats and oils, poultry, eggs, fish and seafood, beverages, and desserts,” the report summarized. “On the other hand, spending during 2020 was higher than 2016 to 2019 levels for vegetables (7%), other FAH not elsewhere classified (7%), grains (6%), and prepared meals (6%).”
Some of these shifts continued into the pandemic in 2021, with vegetable spending up 8% and fruit spending up 7% compared to the 2016 to 2019 levels. In 2022, which the report used as a post-pandemic benchmark, spending behavior began to trend back toward pre-pandemic levels with some exceptions. This included spending on vegetables, which was still up 5% in 2022 compared to 2016 to 2019 levels.
The report authors highlighted this trend as potentially beneficial.
“Given that vegetable and fruit consumption has largely been flat over the past few decades and well below [Dietary Guidelines for Americans] recommendations overall, such a shift in spending could lead to better adherence to DGA recommendations.”
Fruit and vegetable buying trends overall
The report also found some key differences in food spending across different demographic groups regardless of year. For example, the report found that urban households spend more on fruit and vegetables compared to their rural counterparts. Similarly, West Coast households spend the most on fruit and vegetables overall out of the U.S. geographic regions.
Racial and ethnic demographic details also played a role in food spending behaviors, regardless of the year.
“Independent of income and other covariates, non-Hispanic Asian households spent more on fruits, vegetables, poultry, fish and seafood, and eggs, and less on processed red meats and beverages than non-Hispanic White, Black, and Native American/Pacific Islander/multiracial households,” the report found.
The report also noted that there were some seasonality trends in food purchasing at grocery stores — but not at restaurants — that was seen across all years in review.
“In particular, spending on fruits tended to be higher in the spring ($20 more per capita) and summer months ($20) compared to fall (-$6) and winter months (base), whereas vegetable consumption was unaffected by the seasons.”
The report authors speculated that the seasonality in fruit consumption, even in the face of expanded trade that means fresh fruit is reliably available year round, “may indicate consumers prefer to eat seasonal fruit produced within the United States.”
USDA’s July citrus forecast shows a 1% increase in Florida orange production since June. This is the fifth month in a row the agency has not seen a decrease in the state’s citrus production.
July’s orange production forecast saw a 3% increase, carried by a 5% increase in Valencia oranges. In May, all orange production increased a little under 1%. April orange production remained unchanged.
Executive Vice President and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual Matt Joyner called the news encouraging and said “the path forward for Florida’s citrus industry is bright with new opportunities for growth.”
“Promising treatments for citrus greening, disease-tolerant citrus varieties, targeted state funds to support research and replanting, and federal disaster relief programs like the USDA’s Supplemental Disaster Relief Program will equip citrus growers with the resources they need to recover and rebuild,” said Matt Joyner, executive vice president and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. “The USDA’s July forecast of 12.15 million boxes marks the third consecutive month of production gains – an encouraging indicator that we’re on the path to a more resilient future. Our growers have shown incredible perseverance through citrus greening and hurricanes, and we remain hopeful that our growers can build on this momentum next season with continued improvements in tree health and fruit production.”
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With the California citrus season ending, the Bee Sweet Citrus of Fowler, CA has turned its focus to domestic and imports with its summer citrus line.
“Over the past few decades, the Bee Sweet Citrus team has worked hard to develop a program that supplements shoppers’ needs during our off-season,” stated Bee Sweet Citrus Sales Representative Jason Sadoian. “This summer, we’re pleased to provide our customers with both offshore and domestic products to meet their needs.”
Bee Sweet Citrus currently offers imported mandarins, as well as domestic grapefruit, lemons, and Royal Red oranges, for its customers. Offshore Navel oranges started arriving in mid July, while offshore lemons began arriving at the end of July.
“Once imported product arrives at our facility, it undergoes a thorough quality inspection to ensure freshness before it’s shipped to shoppers,” continued Sadoian. “We also have the ability to pack product in any bag style that’s preferred by our customers.”
Bee Sweet Citrus currently offers imported mandarins, as well as domestic grapefruit, lemons, and Royal Red oranges, for its customers. Offshore Navel oranges are expected to arrive next week, while offshore lemons are due to arrive at the end of the month.
“Once imported product arrives at our facility, it undergoes a thorough quality inspection to ensure freshness before it’s shipped to shoppers,” continued Sadoian. “We also have the ability to pack product in any bag style that’s preferred by our customers.”
A grower, packer and shipper of premium California citrus, Bee Sweet Citrus is a leader in today’s agriculture industry. Founded in 1987, Bee Sweet Citrus is a family owned and operated company and provides approximately 10 different citrus varieties to its consumers! Located in the heart of California’s Central Valley, Bee Sweet is focused on innovation, sustainability and customer satisfaction.
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Results from a recent survey funded by the International Nut & Dried Fruit Council (INC) have shown that dried fruits containing both fiber and sorbitol can substantially improve chronic constipation. The findings were presented at the Digestive Disease Week conference in San Diego, California.
Sorbitol is a carbohydrate that contributes to fruit’s sweetness and is particularly present in dried fruits.
This randomized, placebo-controlled food intervention trial examined the effects of dried fruit, fruit juice, and a fruit-flavored placebo on constipation symptoms. The study included 150 participants who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) consuming 90 grams daily of dried fruit (prunes, raisins, and dried apricots), (2) consuming juice made from the same fruits, or (3) consuming a fruit-flavored placebo.
Researchers assessed changes in stool weight over a seven-day collection period. Additional outcomes evaluated included stool consistency, stool frequency, gastrointestinal symptoms, constipation-specific symptoms, quality of life, and gut microbiota.
Results indicated that stool weight increases were significantly greater in the dried fruit group compared to the placebo group. Participants in the dried fruit group also experienced significant improvements in both complete and spontaneous bowel movements. Furthermore, the dried fruit group reported greater enhancements in quality of life relative to the placebo group.
“Living with constipation can have a large impact on quality of life, but we found that a half-cup or about 3 oz of mixed dried fruits per day can offer a real benefit,” said study author Simon Steenson, PhD, who is a postdoctoral research associate in the nutritional sciences department at King’s College London.
This study is the largest clinical trial to date demonstrating that dried fruit consumption can benefit individuals with constipation. The findings support dietary recommendations encouraging the inclusion of dried fruits as part of constipation management strategies.
Frutas de Cile reports summer citrus from Chile got off to a strong start during the fourth week of April with 519 metric tons of clementines shipped to the U.S. This is up significantly from last year’s start of 44 tons.
Lemon shipments got underway the same week with 59 tons sent to northern Europe. Last year, Chilean lemon exports started a week earlier, with 385 tons shipped to the U.S.
Chilean navel orange exports started the first week of June, and mandarins followed the last week of June.
Growing conditions have been ideal.
In 2024, Chilean growers exported 50,419 tons of clementines to the U.S. (98% of total clementine exports), 126,263 tons of mandarins (95%), 60,359 tons of lemons (63%) and 97,627 tons of navel oranges (93%).
Significant production increases are seen in the initial forecast for the coming season, especially for mandarins.
Mandarin volume is expected to increase by 32%, clementines should be up 25% and lemons are projected to rise 6%, but navel orange production might be down 18%.
Chile’s total citrus production is forecast to come in at 444 tons, an increase of 11% over 2024.
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Enstructure, the operator of Port Wilmington in Delaware, announced it has signed a long-term agreement with Chiquita Brands to continue and further expand its partnership as the company’s mid-Atlantic distribution hub.
In a press release, Enstructure said the agreement builds upon an existing partnership built in 1988 between Chiquita and the Port of Wilmington, which positioned the port as the brand’s mid-Atlantic supply chain operation. Since then, Port of Wilmington has become the brand’s largest port operation in North America.
The Port is operated by Enstructure under a long-term concession agreement as part of a public-private partnership at Port Wilmington with the owner, Diamond State Port Corporation (DSPC), a State of Delaware entity.
“This agreement marks a significant milestone for Enstructure, the State of Delaware, and DSPC,” said Enstructure Co-CEOs Matthew Satnick and Philippe De Montigny. “We are reinforcing our commitment to the perishable fruit industry, investing in the port’s customers and infrastructure, and increasing job opportunities for our workforce, all while enhancing the quality of service we provide to long-standing partners like Chiquita.”
Washington and Oregon potato shipments may be down slightly this season, although good size and quality are being reported by growers.
Growing conditions have been very good so far this summer for Mattawa, Wash.-based
Del Christensen & Sons, of Mattawa, WA, whose potatoes are marketed by Eagle
Eye Produce, Idaho Falls, ID.
Eagle Eye notes the company, which ships russet potatoes year round from the Mattawa location, will begin its 2025 harvest in August and continue as late as mid-October.
Eagle Eye has been marketing product from Del Christensen & Sons, a multigenerational family farm, for about 10 years. Great size and great quality are being reported.
About 70% of the product grown by the Washington location of Eagle Eye Produce is shipped to retailers, and 30% goes to foodservice buyers.
Growing conditions also have been favorable for Norm Nelson Inc., of Burlington, WA. Good weather for planting and growing have been reported, with normal volume expected.
Established in the early 1940s, the family-owned company is now operated by members of the second and third generation.
Norm Nelson grows red, white, yellow and a few purple potatoes. Yellows have replaced red potato as the bestsellers.
The company will begin its harvest in early-to-mid-September and finish in early November. Potatoes will be shipped from storage through May.
Organically Grown Co., of Portland, OR sources and packs organic red, russet and yellow potatoes for retailers year round. It began its harvest in late July, with yellow potatoes leading its volume.
The shipper also handles specialty varieties of red, yellow, purple, fingerling and russet potatoes, most of which are available in 20-pound bulk cases.
Besides potatoes, Organically Grown Co. markets a full line of fresh organic produce year round that encompasses more n 350 commodities, Hardin adds.
Washington is second only to Idaho when it comes to potato production, according to the Washington Potato Commission of Moses Lake, WA.
The state’s growers harvested 159,500 acres of potatoes in 2024, according to USDA, and produced 101.2 million cwt for a value of $1.1 billion.
Acreage likely will drop to 145,000 to 150,000 acres this year as a result of softening demand, mostly for french fries and frozen potato products, the commission reports.
About 10% of the potatoes grown in Washington are shipped for the fresh market. The Columbia Basin in eastern Washington and the Skagit Valley are the state’s main potato-growing regions.
Oregon, the fourth-largest U.S. potato provider, produced 26,875,000 cwt of potatoes in 2024 for a value of $1.1 billion, according to the USDA.
About 5% to 10% of the state’s 43,000 harvested acres were devoted to fresh market product, notes the Oregon Potato Commission of Portland.
The state typically grows about 27 million cwt, but volume has been down the past couple of years because of a reduction in processed potato acreage. That shortfall is expected to continue for the 2025 season.
Potatoes are Oregon’s state vegetable, and they’re grown on 376 farms, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
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In week 30, the global avocado trade exhibited mixed trends across key markets. According to intelligence firm Avobook,
The United States recorded its highest import volume since early April, with 1,731 containers and trucks entering the market. The last week of July was an 8% increase from the previous week.
Mexico accounted for 57% of those imports, followed by Peru (21%) and Colombia (7%). Notably, Peru and Mexico saw weekly market share increases of 28% and 12%, respectively, while Colombia experienced an 11% decline.
Europe received nearly 1,000 containers, representing a 2% weekly increase and higher volumes year-on-year. Peru continued to be the leading source of European imports, accounting for 78% of the volume, followed by South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, and Colombia, which maintained similar shares as in previous weeks.
In China, current trends continued, with 50 containers arriving from Peru during week 29. However, industry sources forecast a significant increase next week, with more than 100 containers expected. Although prices for sizes 18 to 24 rose by 7%, they remain 10% below 2024 levels.
Peru exported 1,330 avocado shipments in week 29. This reflects a 7% decrease in volume from the previous week, but a 20% increase compared to the same period last year. Europe remained the leading destination for Peruvian avocados, with 56% of the country’s exports. It was followed by the U.S. (19%) and Chile (12%).
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