Are produce prices a trick or treat?

It all depends on how you look at it. The industry is seeing increased prices in berries, tomatoes, corn and mangoes. Despite last week’s heavy rain in Mexico, the supply of commodities such as cucumbers, limes and beans has improved.

Though Pharr, Texas-based Villita Avocados Inc. already announced the introduction of the industry’s first plastic-free and fully compostable display bag, Executive Vice President Rob Ybarra said the news is so big it will be top of mind until at least the transition to this revolutionary packaging is complete in spring of 2024.

“Retailers are showing lots of interest,” Ybarra said. “We expect some major retailers to come aboard.”

The much higher costs of produce items has become a challenge for produce directors and buyers. Farmers are getting hit with elevated operating and material expenses. Those costs are passed on to shippers, wholesalers, retailers and eventually reaches consumers at the supermarket.

Mission Produce Inc. plans to expand its forward distribution center in Dartford, England, to double ripening capacity and establish mango operations in response to the branch’s growing success.

Western Growers and S2G Ventures named the three finalists that will compete in the 2023 AgSharks Competition.

On the evening of Oct. 17, 2023, the Great Lakes Floral Foundation inducted Jerome Raska AAF, AIFD, CF, PFCI into the Hall of Fame.