Value-added asparagus packs are becoming increasingly popular with Miami-based Crystal Valley Foods having several options for retailers and consumers.

Peruvian Asparagus Importer’s Association members expect a high-volume, successful asparagus season. The association’s importer and related industry members have worked diligently through the past year to ensure seamless and consistent supply for the 2021 season.

Agrokasa is expected to more than double its blueberry export shipments this season, with a similar increase expected next year.

José Antonio Castro, director of the Lima, Peru-based grower-shipper-exporter of avocados, table grapes and asparagus, told The Produce News that the addition of blueberries several years ago both expands the company’s risk management portfolio and allows for better utilization of its labor force.

The Peruvian Avocado Commission has established a dedicated Organic Avocado Committee for the federal promotions program. PAC is devoting resources for the promotion of organic avocados in the United States. This will be one of the first times that an organic product will be marketed using assessment funds from an organization operating under a federal promotion program to support one of the fastest-growing segments within the produce category.

Once the North American blueberry season wanes, Peru’s long growing season, steady climate and greenhouse-like growing conditions will provide retailers and consumers with a trustworthy and constant volume of high-quality blueberries.

"We continue to have new acreage in play, and the crop-set looks heavier, and earlier, than last year," said Michael Osumi, Berry People's chief operating officer. "We are expecting to begin shipping in August, a couple of weeks early, with peak arrivals planned for October through mid-December."

The Tokyo Olympics will be held from July 23 to Aug. 8 with NBC and Telemundo broadcasting the events throughout the United States. All eyes will be on the highly anticipated gathering this year as it is the first time it has ever been postponed due to a global pandemic. The Washington, DC-based Peruvian Avocado Commission, under its Avocados from Peru banner, will feature TV, OTT (via the internet) and digital content that will run in more than 20 major U.S. markets throughout the duration of the Olympics and throughout the rest of the summer.