Market Minute: Get ready for an increased Chilean stone fruit season
Vessels are starting to arrive with some nice early Chilean stone fruit. And based on reports from the Chilean Stone Fruit Committee, export volume is expected to be up 11 percent for the 2025-26 season.
Eosta receives new-season South African organic grapes with new varieties, extended availability
Eosta announced the arrival of the first volumes of new-season organic South African table grapes, with substantial volumes expected to be available until mid-April 2026. The 2025-26 season includes several new varieties to the organic South African offering with better sizing, shelf-life and overall quality.
PRO*ACT Crop Update: Desert crop finds its stride
Weather — a series of rain events and cooler temperatures — was back in focus last week, and the timing was less than ideal. None of these systems were extreme on their own, but with holiday schedules, lighter labor and already tight supply chains, even modest weather can create outsized disruptions.
PanAmerican Seed celebrates retirement of Sjaak Ros after nearly 43 years
At PanAmerican Seed, growth extends beyond flowers to the people who shape the company. The organization is honoring the career of Sjaak Ros, area manager, who is retiring after nearly 43 years of service.Ros joined PanAmerican Seed in 1983 as an account controller after earning a degree in economics and business administration from HEAO. Initially focused on finance, his career soon shifted into sales — a transition that would define his professional path.
Consalo welcomes new hires to its expanding team
Consalo Family Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned grower-packer-shipper-importer-distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables, has added Morgan DiMartino and Jose N. Garcete to its leadership team as the company continues to expand its national footprint and diversify its operations.
OGVG appoints Evan Smith as sustainable infrastructure development lead
Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers announced the appointment of Evan Smith as its sustainable infrastructure development lead, effective immediately.
Attention Target shoppers: Kris K.’s top tips to win the final days of holiday shopping
Santa’s just like the rest of us: Sometimes he checks his list twice and finds one more gift to buy with not much time to spare. Target Corp. is ready to help, offering convenient shopping options, on-trend gifts and deals designed to make holiday prep feel more like a sleigh ride — minus the parking struggle.To guide guests through the final stretch, Target tapped one of its most spirited store team members — Kris K. from Target — to share how the retailer is helping shoppers finish strong.
Channel Islands Flowers steps forward as direct California floral shipper
After decades of serving the floral industry through long-standing partnerships, Channel Islands Flowers has stepped forward as an independent, direct California floral shipper, offering customers the ability to source flowers directly from the farm.Based in Oxnard, Channel Islands Flowers operates a 90-acre growing operation supported by deep industry experience. While the farm has long been a trusted supplier of high-quality flowers, the transition marks a new chapter focused on establishing its own identity and expanding direct relationships across the floral supply chain.
USDA restricts PACA violators in Florida and Texas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and for failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the businesses’ principal operators from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without USDA approval.The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry: