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Ciruli mangos to hit full volume in late March

In the third week of March, the Mexican mango deal for Ciruli Bros., LLC, will be in full swing, according to Chris Ciruli, chief operating officer of the Rio Rico-based firm.

Champagne-mangoes-La-Galera-Chicago On Feb. 19, Ciruli indicated that the firm’s first harvest had just been completed. “We await the arrivals” of Ciruli’s “Champagne”-brand Atualfo mangoes at the Rio Rico, AZ, warehouse, he told The Produce News. “We should hit the market in the first week of March.” This schedule is two weeks behind last year. Last year, the predominant size was 14-16, and this year 16-18 are the norm.

Ciruli will have peak volume this year from the last week of March until early August. “We will have good volume from Easter through Memorial Day,” he aded.

The early market should benefit Ciruli Bros. because of unusually warm weather in the western United States. “If there is an early spring, that works in our favor,” Ciruli said. He explained that warm weather encourages consumers to think of buying fresh fruit.

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Pure Flavor to highlight expanding U.S. organic program, greenhouse innovation at OPS

Pure Flavor will be at the 2026 Organic Produce Summit in Monterey, CA, showcasing its latest organic greenhouse innovations and U.S.-grown offerings that are helping shape what’s next in fresh produce. 

Attendees are invited to visit booth No. 201 to preview the company’s organic portfolio highlights firsthand and see how its expanding organic program is supporting strong retail performance and year-round availability.

Uncool cucumber smuggler busted with $3.7M of cocaine in produce shipment

U.S. Customs & Border Protection officers at Pharr International Bridge seized cocaine valued at $3.7 million in a single enforcement action.

Officers referred a commercial tractor trailer hauling a shipment manifested as “cucumbers” for a secondary inspection. A canine inspection resulted in an alert, and a nonintrusive imaging system scan revealed anomalies in the trailer. Upon physical inspection, CBP officers discovered 112 packages containing a total of 126.5 kilograms (278.88 pounds) of suspected cocaine hidden within the trailer.

USApple's Lynsee Gibbons promoted to VP of communications

The U.S. Apple Association announced the promotion of Lynsee Gibbons to vice president, communications. The move recognizes Gibbons' leadership in elevating USApple's communications, strengthening the association's advocacy efforts and expanding its visibility among policymakers, media and the broader apple industry.

SunFed expands foodservice footprint with year-round supply and nutrition-focused solutions

By
John Groh

Long recognized as a leader in retail produce, SunFed is increasingly leveraging its expertise in sourcing, merchandising and product quality to expand its presence throughout the foodservice sector.

The Rio Rico, AZ-based company has spent the past several years strengthening relationships with foodservice operators, distributors and institutional buyers, while applying many of the same principles that have driven its success at retail.

Pacific Trellis strengthens fruit division with two new sales executives

Pacific Trellis Fruit added two industry professionals to its fruit division sales team: Adam Erceg as sales executive, based in the company's Philadelphia office, and Ty Bamford as sales executive and operations lead, based in the Fresno, CA, office.

CalFlowers honors floral industry legend Red Kennicott with 2026 Distinguished Service Award

As CalFlowers marks its 85th anniversary, the association announced that Harrison "Red" Kennicott III, chairman of Kennicott Brothers Co., has been selected for the 2026 CalFlowers Distinguished Service Award, recognizing a lifetime of leadership, innovation and service to the floral industry.

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