Divine Flavor moves into spring with West Mexico vegetable programs and return of Honey Pearl grapes
Divine Flavor moves into spring with West Mexico vegetable programs and return of Honey Pearl grapes
As the spring months approach, Divine Flavor is entering a key period in its produce calendar, with vegetable programs underway in West Mexico and the seasonal return of its exclusive Honey Pearl grapes from Chile.
Divine Flavor’s spring vegetable season in Sonora and Sinaloa is now in progress, centered on its hot-house and greenhouse programs. Core items include Bell peppers, mini peppers, cucumbers (Long English/European, Persian and slicer), tomatoes and yellow squash and Italian zucchini.
Tomato offerings include grape tomatoes, Roma, beefsteak and tomatoes-on-the-vine, supporting retail and foodservice demand during a critical transition period for North American markets.
“This time of year is always important for fresh vegetable supply, particularly as North American production shifts,” said Alan Aguirre Camou of Divine Flavor. “Mexico plays a vital role during this window, and our focus is on maintaining consistency and working closely with our partners and customers to meet their produce needs.”
Divine Flavor’s West Mexico programs are structured to support continuity as production transitions between growing regions in North America throughout the year.
By managing these transitions carefully, the company aims to limit gaps and maintain dependable supply before shifting into additional Mexican production areas later in the year.
Challenging markets
Market conditions this spring remain challenging. Freezing temperatures across parts of Florida in early February affected several key vegetable crops, including tomatoes and peppers, tightening supplies across U.S. and Canadian markets and increasing reliance on Mexican production.
“In environments like this, communication is critical,” Aguirre Camou said. “We understand the pressures customers are facing, and our approach is to stay collaborative — listening first and working through solutions that balance grower realities with customer needs.”
Looking ahead, Divine Flavor expects West Mexico vegetable volumes to continue building through late February and March, with the season anticipated to run through late May or early June. The company will continue monitoring market conditions closely as it supports customers through the winter and spring season.
Honey Pearls return
Alongside its spring vegetable programs, Divine Flavor is also preparing for the seasonal return of its specialty grape variety, Honey Pearl.
Formerly known as Muscat Beauty, Honey Pearl is produced by Chilean grower Santa Elena and marketed and distributed by Divine Flavor.
Developed by breeder Gonzalo Tocornal, the translucent grape has gained interest among retailers and consumers for its distinctive flavor profile. Retailers such as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market have featured the variety as part of their specialty grape assortments.
“Honey Pearl has a unique flavor — sweet and aromatic, with subtle lychee notes,” said Antonio Escobar, grape category manager of Divine Flavor. “It’s a variety that tends to generate repeat purchases once consumers are familiar with it.”
The Honey Pearl season is expected to begin in mid-February, with peak volumes available in March and April and supplies extending into May. While the variety has been licensed to select Divine Flavor grape partners in Peru through Santa Elena, Chile remains the primary production region and the origin of the grape.
The return of Honey Pearl coincides with Divine Flavor’s broader South American grape import program. The company is heavily involved in the Peruvian grape season and will continue importing grapes from Peru and Chile through April. This approach supports supply continuity ahead of the company’s transition to production in Mexico.
“Our goal with Honey Pearl was to create a name and brand that clearly reflected the grapes unique color and eating experience,” Escobar said. “It’s a limited, seasonal item, only available for a few weeks this springtime, it complements the rest of our high flavor candy line offering in grapes.”
In April, Divine Flavor will transition its grape program to Mexico as harvest begins in Jalisco. The company looks forward to the Mexican season, when fresh, non-fumigated fruit will include proprietary varieties such as AutumnCrisp and Cotton Candy, along with other specialty grape varietals.
As the spring season progresses, Divine Flavor remains focused on consistent quality, dependable supply, and supporting retail partners across both its vegetable and grape programs.
