As of Jan. 25, the entry of Chilean plums under Systems Approach has been confirmed and published in the Federal Register, which is great news for U.S. retailers and consumers.

The United States is the main destination for fresh fruit from Chile in terms of volume, with a 31 percent share of total fresh fruit shipments exported to this market. In the case of plums, during the 2019-20 season, Chile exported more than 2 million boxes to the U.S. market. Plums will be available through April.

Sun World International LLC has added a stone fruit marketer and two importers to its panel of North American licensees. These include stone fruit marketer Trinity Fruit and licensed importers Capespan North America and Jac. Vandenberg. The appointments bring the company’s panel of licensed importers to 13 companies; Trinity joins four other California grower-marketers in producing and distributing Sun World stone fruit varieties, further expanding the supply and distribution of Sun World’s proprietary grape and stone fruit varieties.

Stemilt’s Artisan Organics peach and nectarine season continues to thrive through these hot summer months with excellent quality and “some of the best flavor” to date, said Brianna Shales, Stemilt marketing director. Retailers can load now to boost their category for the weeks to come and delight consumers around the country with some world famous sweet and juicy organic stone fruit.

Chambersburg peaches will be available from Keystone Fruit Marketing, a division of Progressive Produce, starting the last week of July through the end of August.

"We've had ideal growing conditions providing us one of the nicest crops we've seen in years," said Director of Sales and Marketing Michael Blume. "Because of last year's weather issues, we had 50 percent of a normal crop, but we're expecting a full crop this year."

With recent temperatures soaring into the triple digits, the question on everyone’s mind is fruit quality. As the Northwest cherry deal approaches its peak, retailers can be confident in one thing: Rainier Fruit Co. of Selah, WA, has taken the heat in stride.

Titan Farms, the Ridge Spring, SC-based peach farm, is looking forward to a great peach season in 2021.

“We are right in the middle of the heart of our peach season where we’re harvesting anywhere from 30 to 50 truckloads of fruit a day,” said Ross Williams, director of packaging operations and food safety.