Without hesitation, Ronnie Cohen, who is vice president of sales for Vision Import Group LLC in River Edge, NJ, and a former chairman of the National Mango Board, said the time to promote mangos is now often. “Promote! Promote! Promote!” he said.

It has long been known that the retail sales of mangos are very dependent upon promotions. The better the perceived value by the U.S. consumer, the more likely they are to buy the world’s most popular fruit. Cohen said the fall months should offer ample opportunities to promote for most retailers.

This summer, the National Mango Board hosted its second free Mango Temperature Management & Ripening Webinar for retailers and importers in an effort to expose more industry personnel to proper handling techniques for the tropical fruit. The webinar provided attendees with information on the importance of proper temperature management to enhance consumers’ mango-eating experience.

Southern Specialties Inc., a grower, importer, processor and shipper of a variety of specialty products grown in Central America, South America, Mexico, Canada and the United States, has expanded its presence in Guatemala with an increase in its Persian limes.

RPE-Colorado anticipates moving a quality crop of potatoes from the San Luis Valley this season. “The harvest of our local Colorado crop is underway currently, as well as our growing partners’ crops,” said Randy Shell, vice president of marketing and new business development. “We will be in full swing harvesting our potatoes around Sept. 9 and should wrap up harvest around the first week of October.”

The parent company, RPE Inc., is located in Bancroft, WI.

Earlier this year, Strohauer Farms, based in LaSalle, CO, launched a potato program in northeastern New Mexico. Harry Strohauer, owner/grower, said the move was brought about by water shortages in Colorado, and a portion of his conventional bulk potatoes were grown in the neighboring state, then brought to Colorado for packing and shipping.

Conventional Yukons from New Mexico started in late July, followed by russets in early August.

While noting his company is on track to provide its customers with spuds throughout the 2013-14 shipping season, John McCormick, principal in McCormick & Milne in Monte Vista, CO, said changes in the industry are taking their toll in the region.

The longtime broker-shipper-distributor said in late August that the quality of San Luis Valley potatoes was looking good, with size and yields down from 2012. He expected the company’s shipping volume to hit mid-December, and he said M&M’s sales remain primarily to retail and foodservice/process.