North America
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from North America.
CA grape season ends on positive note
Persistent high heat throughout July has industry expecting 10-15 per cent lower volumes than CTGA estimate of 94.4mn cartons, but heavier than normal late-season varieties could push number closer to 90mn
Fresh Del Monte’s Mann Packing sells Fresh Leaf Farms
Strategic move allows Mann Packing to focus on operational efficiency and product innovation while strengthening Costa and Nunes Families’ leadership in leafy greens
Ohalo unveils self-pollinating almond variety
Potentially groundbreaking development offers growers chance to remove significant cost, says US breeding company
Giumarra’s Lemonade apples go nationwide
The company has teamed up with Capital City Fruit to offer deliveries of its Lemonade apples across the US
US customs confiscate prohibited fruit marked as limes and chayote
Container seized at south-east Texas border crossing point after officials carried out cargo inspection
The Fruitist signs marketing deal with USC Trojans
Blueberry brand extends sponsorship commitments to university sport, where it sees big scope to promote the fruit as a healthy snack
Video: Film captures impact and value of avocado marketing
Hass Avocado Board says its strategic promotions have helped grow US avocado demand by 260 per cent since 2002
Extreme heat and heavy fruit set curb growth potential for California navels
Heat wave in San Joaquin Valley has kept fruit size small this season, resulting in only a forecast 2 per cent increase in cartons on last season
Chiquita launches 2024/25 Sustainability Report
Fresh produce giant says it is reinforcing its commitment to ’Behind the Blue Sticker’ strategy and climate action
Court rejects Chiquita’s appeal against Colombia ruling
US federal court’s June 2024 judgement upheld, leaving company liable for millions of dollars in compensation payments
Sunkist hires new government relations and sustainability VP
Elaine Trevino will oversee the cooperative’s government relations strategies and lead its sustainability initiatives
Turn promises into action on biodiversity, says UN chief
The World Biodiversity Conference begins this week in Cali, Colombia, with a focus on the halt of species loss and ecosystems by 2030 and a call for action
Fresh produce has influence on “people, plates, and the planet”
Advocacy, innovation, climate and community are among the themes from Cathy Burns’ State of the Industry Address at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show
Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab to launch in US
IFPA’s Foundation for Fresh Produce to launch innovative packaging lab with US$5M USDA grant
IFPA given observer status by UN climate change movement
International Fresh Produce Association will represent produce and floral business in climate negotiations held to progress UNFCC
Anna Kirsch joins Calavo Growers
Kirsch becomes the company’s new director of business development
Ifco eyes growth after securing better €1.64bn loan deal
Leading supplier of returnable plastic crates says it sees strong opportunities to grow in Europe, North America and Asia
Australian growers embark on US study tour
Agtech advancements in automation and mechanisation key topic of interest as Australian growers head to California for International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Kapi Kapi launches organic banana programme
Initially available to retailers across the US and Canada, Kapi branded organic bananas will soon be shipped to Europe
CPMA releases final report following International Sustainability Summit
Report includes Sustainability Charter, a set of principles and strategic outcomes to guide industry in sustainability monitoring and reporting
Del Monte makes sustainability progress
The report highlights sustainability milestones, including an early achievement of SBTi-approved targets for Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas reductions
Size matters as Greek kiwifruit exporters select markets
Larger fruit sizes last season encouraged Greek suppliers to focus more on markets outside Europe, with North and South America increasingly a target
Mexico produces more peaches but remains reliant on cherry imports
Country’s peach business continues to recover after production low point in 2019, according to USDA report
Del Monte resumes operations at SeaPort Manatee, Florida
Impact of Hurricane Milton still being assessed as power is restored and cargo handling activities begin again at the port
Mission Produce launches ‘World’s Finest’ campaign
Campaign debuts with new Retail-Ready Mango bags ahead of IFPA
Industry agrees to develop global standard for compostable fruit stickers
Representatives from fresh produce business and composting organisations welcome ‘unprecedented’ agreement to secure sustainable future for fresh produce labels
US trade officials discuss roadmap for future UK exports
US officials visit G’s Group and discuss expanding UK veg exports following beetroot announcement
Florida port without power as it assesses Hurricane Milton damage
Tampa Bay’s largest entry point for bananas and pineapples has been forced to close after it was hit by one of the strongest storms in history
West Pak to launch AVO360 programme
Group to unveil new programme that it says ensures a year-round supply of premium avocados and offers personalised experiences for customers
Mastronardi aims for perfection with new Wow Utopia strawberry
New addition to group’s Sunset-branded range apparently ‘like no other traditional strawberry’
Apeel shakes up executive leadership team
Group says three newly appointed executives will play “critical roles” in scaling its operations worldwide
Sun World grows licensee community
Company enhances its North American presence by appointing new importers and marketers
Lineage named on Fortune’s 2024 ‘Change the World’ list
Group slots in at number 38 on the list, recognised for its positive social impact in line with core business strategies
Fall Creek names new commercial director
Paul Nselel has been appointed as leader of the blueberry specialist’s global commercial organisation
Del Monte to bring Rubyglow pineapple to Europe
The pineapple will be introduced to Europe in 2025 having been launched in China and North America this year
Agri-experts champion new genomic techniques
New video sees researchers and farmers call upon members of European Parliament to embrace innovations and advance regulation of new genomic techniques