GrapeCo Farms sees early momentum building for California grape season
After a successful import season and an unusually early start in Mexico, GrapeCo Farms is ready for what could be one of the earliest California grape seasons the company has seen in years.“The import season performed better than expected overall,” said Jared Lane, co-owner of GrapeCo Farms. “While there was some heavier supply in the middle of the season, the market remained active with solid movement and stable pricing overall.”
Oppy eyes strong retail movement for Northwest cherry season
Oppy is heading into the 2026 Northwest cherry season with a sense of optimism, even as the industry navigates a lighter crop estimate and some early frost impacts. Jon Bailey, who leads Oppy’s cherry category, said the company feels good about the season overall.
FirstFruits Farms brings premium cherries and mission driven approach to season
FirstFruits Farms is excited to begin the 2026 cherry season, and strong returns the past few years have positioned it well within its buyer network. The company is entering the season with a sharp focus on fruit quality, and with minimal overlap during the California season, Washington cherries are set to enter the market in an advantageous position. Chuck Zeutenhorst, president of FirstFruits Marketing, said the team is ready to hit the ground running.
USDA restricts PACA violators in California, New York and Texas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the 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:
Sprouts Farmers Market appoints Andrew Jhawar to its board of directors
Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. announced the addition of Andrew Jhawar to its board of directors.“We are excited to welcome Andy Jhawar to our board of directors,” said Joseph Fortunato, chairman of the board of Sprouts. “Andy’s unparalleled depth of experience in the consumer and retail industry will be invaluable to the company as we continue to execute on our long-term growth strategy.”
PRO*ACT Crop Update: Markets stay active
As we move through the back half of May, the market remains active across several high-volume categories. Cooler coastal weather continues to limit strawberry harvest yields, while avocados and small lemons are facing tightening supply and rising costs. Row crop markets are mixed, with some items improving and others still under pressure from disease and reduced yields.
Stemilt eyes strong Northwest cherry season despite lighter crop
Stemilt is beginning the 2026 Northwest cherry season with forecasts of a slightly smaller crop than last year, which was a strong harvest that gave retailers solid volume options. Brianna Shales, marketing director for Stemilt Growers said that this season could shape up to have, “more demand than supply at several points, which makes it all the more important to align promotions when volume arises and make quick adjustments so that there aren’t opportunities, or dollars, left on the table.”
GLC Cerritos highlights record Mexican avocado season as exports surpass historic milestone
As Mexico’s avocado industry surpasses a historic export milestone, GLC Cerritos says the record-setting season reflects both the strength of consumer demand and the growing sophistication of Mexico’s year-round supply capabilities.This week, Mexico was expected to exceed 2.5 billion pounds of avocados exported to the United States in a single season for the first time ever — eclipsing the previous record set in 2023, with several weeks still remaining in the marketing year.
Bee Sweet rolls out the red carpet for new Rosy Red Valencia
Bee Sweet Citrus is bringing a new variety to market this season, and it has been a long time coming. Grower Nancy Lange dedicated over a decade to testing the Rosy Red Valencia, with an initial experimental planting of more than 400 trees in 2014 and commercial planting beginning in 2019. This marks Bee Sweet's inaugural season for growing, packing and shipping the variety.
Sustainability has always been at the heart of Bee Sweet Citrus
Bee Sweet Citrus has long made sustainability a defining part of its identity, and the company's commitment to transparency around that effort is equally important. J.D. Freitas, sustainability manager at Bee Sweet Citrus, said environmental and social sustainability are crucial to the company's operations, with efforts covering water conservation, soil health, biodiversity, waste reduction and energy efficiency.