Winter pepper program strongest to date for Oppenheimer
Winter pepper program strongest to date for Oppenheimer
With more than 1.5 million cases of under-glass peppers produced by the Divemex group of Mexican greenhouse growers, The Oppenheimer Group is seeing its strongest winter program to date, according to Mike Reed, category director.
Mr. Reed said that Divemex?s early winter production in its southern growing areas "has allowed us to offer customers a seamless supply of bell peppers when Canadian production dropped off in late October."
He continued, "This is our second year partnering with the Divemex group " with a mix that includes bell peppers and seedless cucumbers. Their early production and high standards of growing, grading and packing make them a natural fit with The Oppenheimer Group. Divemex has continued growth plans that will enable us to grow our product offering as a leader in providing solid 12-month supplies to our customers throughout North America. We will also be able to grow our specialty offerings such as sweet baby bells that will be available year-round out of Canada and Mexico."
Mr. Reed noted that Oppenheimer?s supply base will see an overlap between Mexican and Canadian product in late March as British Columbia growers start their seasonal shipping and Divemex continues its production through spring.
Yet another aspect of the strong production numbers is the value-added market presence Oppenheimer has been able to develop with three- and six-packs as well as two-pound assorted packs.
Growing practices are similar in both production regions, with some greenhouse farmers switching to growing in cocoa bags. Mr. Reed said that both groups use seed varieties that "are primarily the blocky varieties from Holland."
Northern and southern growers also ensure consistency in pack styles and value-added packing options.
Mr. Reed noted that within the greenhouse category, red bells continue to dominate consumer preference, followed by yellow and orange bells.
The same ratio of reds to other colored peppers applies in both summer and winter production, with reds making up between 50 percent and 55 percent of the total volume. Yellows are between 25 percent and 30 percent, and orange peppers are between 20 percent and 25 percent, Mr. Reed said.
?New varieties such as sweet baby bells, mini bells and Ramiro-style peppers being produced in greenhouses are also starting to capture market share," he added.
Mr. Reed said that Divemex?s early winter production in its southern growing areas "has allowed us to offer customers a seamless supply of bell peppers when Canadian production dropped off in late October."
He continued, "This is our second year partnering with the Divemex group " with a mix that includes bell peppers and seedless cucumbers. Their early production and high standards of growing, grading and packing make them a natural fit with The Oppenheimer Group. Divemex has continued growth plans that will enable us to grow our product offering as a leader in providing solid 12-month supplies to our customers throughout North America. We will also be able to grow our specialty offerings such as sweet baby bells that will be available year-round out of Canada and Mexico."
Mr. Reed noted that Oppenheimer?s supply base will see an overlap between Mexican and Canadian product in late March as British Columbia growers start their seasonal shipping and Divemex continues its production through spring.
Yet another aspect of the strong production numbers is the value-added market presence Oppenheimer has been able to develop with three- and six-packs as well as two-pound assorted packs.
Growing practices are similar in both production regions, with some greenhouse farmers switching to growing in cocoa bags. Mr. Reed said that both groups use seed varieties that "are primarily the blocky varieties from Holland."
Northern and southern growers also ensure consistency in pack styles and value-added packing options.
Mr. Reed noted that within the greenhouse category, red bells continue to dominate consumer preference, followed by yellow and orange bells.
The same ratio of reds to other colored peppers applies in both summer and winter production, with reds making up between 50 percent and 55 percent of the total volume. Yellows are between 25 percent and 30 percent, and orange peppers are between 20 percent and 25 percent, Mr. Reed said.
?New varieties such as sweet baby bells, mini bells and Ramiro-style peppers being produced in greenhouses are also starting to capture market share," he added.
