TruFresh expects a ‘blockbuster’ spring
TruFresh expects a ‘blockbuster’ spring
Nogales, AZ — “Big numbers in the spring” are expected for the Nogales produce distributor, TruFresh. Rafael Roiz, the firm’s chief executive officer and a partner, said bad winter weather in Mexico caused delays or replants of fruit and vegetable production for TruFresh.
In either case, the fields are producing “and I think we will have big numbers in the spring.” The Llano family, one of two major grower-owners of the firm, “is convinced the worst of the bad weather is behind us,” Roiz told The Produce News in late January.
TruFresh’s primary owners are two major Guaymas, Sonora growers, the Llano and Zaragoza families.
From October into January, the firm’s production was about 20 percent below expectations.
Roiz confirmed the Nogales conventional wisdom that there was no single weather bomb that disrupted the winter season. But he emphasized, “We had hand grenades all along the way!”
Enrique (Kiki) Peraza, sales manager agreed. “The spring deal should be blockbuster in volume.”
“It has been challenging, but at the same time the (high) markets helped. We planned from day one to have volume. Both of our growers had volume,” Roiz said.
Cucumbers, Roma and cherry tomato volume will be in full swing in late February, as will green Bell and hot peppers. Honeydew and colored Bell pepper volume will be steady by mid-March. Watermelons, cantaloupes and honeydew all will be in volume in late March. “Our cantaloupe deal is the biggest in town,” Roiz said.
The Llano family will begin its “second season” with a grape deal in late April. Roiz expected his first grapes — green, Flame and blacks — to start April 20. TruFresh’s grape deal is expected to run through the end of May.
