Prime Time’s Nogales deal revs up in February, March
Prime Time’s Nogales deal revs up in February, March
Mike Aiton, director of marketing for Prime Time International, said the company’s Nogales deal is in full swing. The company is headquartered in Coachella, CA, maintaining a year-round office in Nogales, AZ.
The Arizona office is headed by Eric Meyer who just came aboard as its sales manager.
February and March are peak production months for Prime Time International’s Nogales colored pepper deal. “We had some problems [during hurricane season], but that’s all behind us,” Aiton said in early February.
Commodities are grown both in the field and in hot houses. Colored peppers comprise 80 percent of the company’s product manifest.
“February and March is peak production for Nogales,” Aiton continued. “Pricing is good right now.”
Prime Time also markets tomatoes and cucumbers. According to Aiton, the company recently added 60 acres of shade production for its cucumbers, marketed under the “Vantaggio” label.
Prime Time owns packing facilities in mainland Mexico, where peppers are packed and prepared for shipment to the United States. With the expansion of growing acreage and more movement of growing operations indoors, Aiton said, “Overall volume is trending upward.”
All colored peppers out of Mexico are marketed under the “Prime Time” label. Aiton said peppers are moved throughout North America. “We’ve built up a good reputation for consistency and quality,” he commented.
“By properly cooling and holding the product in the proper environment, the cold chain is consistently maintained, the shelf life is extended and freshness is ensured,” the company’s website states. “Since the flavor and appearance of peppers have captured the taste buds of consumers and the demand has skyrocketed, Prime Time has increased its awareness of the importance of quality assurance at all stages of development, from seed to packaging to distribution.”
Once packed, peppers are cooled to 55°F using forced humid, cooled air to remove field heat.
Prime Time maintains this temperature during storage and shipment.
Other seasonal offerings grown in the Coachella Valley include watermelon, sweet corn and green beans.