The Southeast Produce Council launched its 2026 Next Generation Leadership Academy with an immersive retreat at Clemson University in Clemson, SC, June 8–12. This retreat marked the official kickoff of the learning year, uniting a talented and diverse cohort of rising leaders from across the fresh produce industry.

Fleuroselect, the international organization for the ornamental plants industry, has awarded the FleuroStar Award 2026-27 to Dahlia coccinea Dalina Maxi Noir Velvet Crush, bred by PanAmerican Seed and commercialized in partnership with Florensis.

European sales managers Jeroen Star from PanAmerican Seed and Hagen Kalläne from Florensis accepted the prize from Fleuroselect President Marc Driessen and Secretary General Ann Jennen. The evening was moderated by Michael Perry.

Summer Citrus from South Africa's 2026 season is under way, with the first arrivals expected at U.S. ports this month. Approximately 170 containers, primarily easy peelers and some navel oranges, are scheduled to arrive during the early part of the season. The MSC Carmen will be the first direct vessel into Philadelphia, followed by weekly arrivals through both containerized shipments and dedicated conventional vessels.

As the produce industry transitions into the Michigan growing season, Rocky Produce is seeing strong sales momentum, while preparing for another busy summer filled with local fruits and vegetables.

“We’ve seen sales stronger than previous years, which is great,” said Dominic Russo of Rocky Produce. “The cost of produce in a lot of categories has been extremely high through the winter, and some of those prices are still elevated as we move into spring crops.” 

The American Floral Endowment has announced the 2026 recipients of the Paul Ecke Jr. and Altman Family scholarships. The scholarships recognize graduate students whose work is poised to shape the future of floriculture through innovation, research and education.

Emily Eldridge, a master's degree student at North Carolina State University, is the recipient of the 2026 Paul Ecke Jr. Scholarship. Eldridge will receive 10,000(10,000(5,000 each for two consecutive years) to help fund her education.

The Mexican grape deal will be wrapping up earlier this spring. Production will be moving into California vineyards — it has already begun out of Coachella. This shift will be a little over two weeks earlier this season for California grapes to be harvested primarily because of very good growing conditions.