Adverse winter weather conditions in Mexico sting seed supplier Sierra Seed
“When the season is slow, payments are slow,” said Sabrina Hallman, the owner of Sierra Seed Co. LLLP. Sierra’s accounts receivable department is facing payments “that are later than ever” on the heels of a Mexican winter growing season that slashed production with cold weather, rain, and sunshine-snuffing clouds. “When the growers lose an entire crop and don’t have product to market and they have labor and fertilizer costs, they don’t have the money to pay. Everything is tied up and they don’t have the resources to cover your debt.”
MAS Melons & Grapes expanding aggressively
MAS Melons & Grapes LLC is aggressively expanding its produce volume. Miguel (Miky) Suarez Sr., the firm’s majority partner, has two sons — Miguel (Mikee) Suarez (Jr.) and Santiago Suarez — in the business. Thus, he has a special motivation to see the firm expand to even greater heights. “We have a lot of potential to grow in honeydew, watermelon, asparagus, broccoli, and grapes,” Miky Suarez said. MAS’s grape and asparagus volume will also be rising in the very near future.
Wholesum’s protected ag serving well in 2016
The Culiacan protected vegetable operations of Wholesum Family Farms Inc. were productive in mid-January. That volume will be building until late April, according to Kristina Luna, who heads Wholesum grower relations.
When Wholesum’s Culiacan operations wind down, “then we’ll move across to Central Mexico” into Guanajuato, from where Wholesum will commence shipping. The Nogales-based firm ships Mexican vegetables throughout the year.
Santa Cruz Cold Storage completion reset to spring, in time for melons and grapes
Before the Mexican spring melon and grape crops are shipped this spring, the new Santa Cruz Cold Storage refrigerated warehouse will be operational.
The owner of the warehouse is Old Tucson Road Property. Key partners in Old Tucson are Brian and Scott Vandervoet, who also own Vandervoet & Associates Inc.
The Rio Rico construction completion is behind schedule. Brian Vandervoet indicated Feb. 2 that Vandervoet & Associates made an interim move from its longtime leased location within Prime Sales, Inc. in Rio Rico to CMMV Warehouse LLC in Nogales.
Grower Alliance LLC shipping watermelons year-round
Rio Rico, AZ — Mexican produce volume for Grower Alliance LLC is rebounding from severe winter shortages toward a normal spring volume, beginning around March 31, according to Jorge Quintero Jr., managing partner.
Until then, Quintero expected to be shipping yellow and white corn, Roma tomatoes and hard squash. Cucumbers and Bell peppers will also be on hand in limited volumes.
“We are receiving watermelons and honeydew all year round,” he added.
Flavor King enjoys strong citrus season in 2nd year shipping Mexico product
Nogles, AZ — With Florida citrus volume down dramatically this winter, it was a boost to Flavor King Farms’ second season of Mexican citrus shipping from Nogales. The firm will almost double its total volume this year.
P.D.G. Produce Inc. expanding cold storage
Rio Rico, AZ — March 1 is the move-in date for an additional 22,000 square feet of refrigerated space for P.D.G. Produce Inc. If the schedule holds, this will be two weeks ahead of schedule, according to Paul Guy, who owns the firm.
TruFresh expects a ‘blockbuster’ spring
Nogales, AZ — “Big numbers in the spring” are expected for the Nogales produce distributor, TruFresh. Rafael Roiz, the firm’s chief executive officer and a partner, said bad winter weather in Mexico caused delays or replants of fruit and vegetable production for TruFresh.
Righetti Farms owner: Produce contracts can have an impact on scarce-supply seasons
Rio Rico, AZ — “Restaurants can’t take a marker and change their menu,” Mike Righetti, the owner of Righetti Farms LLC, observed.
Righetti Farms specializes in mixing loads of Mexican produce imported into Nogales and distributing those mixers to foodservice clients in the U.S. and Canada.
Menus’ permanent ink creates the need for foodservice operators to contract prices with their produce suppliers, such as Righetti.
Righetti has written foodservice contracts for more than five years “but they’re becoming more commonplace,” he said.
Bernardi: Weather woes create challenging year
Weather issues in Mexico, as well as Florida, have led to short supplies, higher prices and a very challenging situation. But that also means the value of a broker with multiple sourcing options is very much on display.
At least that is the view of Joe Bernardi, president of Bernardi & Associates, which has offices throughout the country.
The company has offices in Nogales, AZ, Turlock and San Diego in California and in south Texas, Florida and North Carolina.
“We are able to supply our customers from one place or another 52 weeks of the year,” he said.