Skip to main content

- Advertisement -

Asparagus continues to be a top focus for JMB

By
Tim Linden

Jacobs Malcolm & Burtt is a global marketing, packing and shipping company in California, representing growers in California, Mexico and Peru and shipping both asparagus and packaged sweet corn worldwide.

Craig Rolandelli, who serves as CEO and president of the company, recently told The Produce News that it is growing its volume in the asparagus category. “JMB is increasing both its Peruvian and Mexican supply of asparagus year over year and has promotable supplies of both throughout the year,” he said in early September, noting that green asparagus is their only offering. “We are currently shipping asparagus out of Northern California; Imperial Valley, CA; McAllen, TX; and Miami.”

He specifically noted that Peruvian asparagus is entering into its peak season, with promotable supplies expected in the coming weeks. That’s a welcome relief from the past year when weather conditions adversely impacted the Peruvian deal.  “Last year was a very different year than any other,” he said, referring to the year-long disruptions caused by El Nino and Cyclone Yaku, which hit Peru in March.  “We expect steady quality supplies from September/October throughout the holidays.”

Rolandelli added that JMB imports most of its Peruvian asparagus “by boat to keep costs down for our customers but will fly in asparagus as needed on a case-by-case basis.”

This year, Rolandelli is serving as the co-chair of the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association and as such he commented on several industry issues wearing his PAIA hat. He revealed there will be many options for promotion this season. “Retailers have the opportunity of promoting Peruvian asparagus because our importers supply them with a variety of SKU options that fit every shopper’s needs,” he said.  “Importers ship in multiple sizes, colors and tailor their products to retailers’ needs, including bagged, tray-packed tips, as well as value-added SKUs.”

He also noted that there are some PAIA initiatives in the works that could affect the buying community. On top of everyone’s mind is the fumigation issue. PAIA has long advocated for the adoption of a systems approach that would eliminate the need for fumigation in many instances. “We are closely working with USDA as we always have,” Rolandelli said. “What I can say at this point is that I would suggest that retailers stay close to their Peruvian asparagus suppliers because there are many new opportunities to come for the buying market of asparagus.”

He added that there appears to be no shipping or logistics issues on the horizon.  “This time last year, the Panama Canal was experiencing restrictions due to drought conditions that compounded into traffic jams,” he said. “As of August 2024, the Panama Canal is reporting additional and smooth transits throughout the remainder of the year.  We expect the percentage of cargo will remain maritime as we progress through 2024.”

Tim Linden

Tim Linden

About Tim Linden  |  email

Tim Linden grew up in a produce family as both his father and grandfather spent their business careers on the wholesale terminal markets in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Tim graduated from San Diego State University in 1974 with a degree in journalism. Shortly thereafter he began his career at The Packer where he stayed for eight years, leaving in 1983 to join Western Growers as editor of its monthly magazine. In 1986, Tim launched Champ Publishing as an agricultural publishing specialty company.

Today he is a contract publisher for several trade associations and writes extensively on all aspects of the produce business. He began writing for The Produce News in 1997, and currently wears the title of Editor at Large.

Tagged in:

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -