Positive social responsibility is not news for Nogales distributors
NOGALES, AZ — A four-part Los Angeles Times exposé in December ripped Mexican produce growers and their distributors in Nogales.
The report included photos and video of very bad field worker living conditions. The fact that the reporter did not include the countless socially responsible growers and distributor-partners raised the question of the reporter’s motives.
Nogales distributors by and large felt burned by the LA Times.
International Vine conference convenes in Hermosillo
HERMOSILLO, SONORA — With the leadership of Mexico’s table grape industry believing in the need for growers to be connected with the world’s most advanced technicians, the industry has presented national growers with a technical production seminar.
For the second time, starting in 2013, Asociación Agricola Local de Productores Uva de Mesa Frutas y Hortalizas, based here, presented the Feb. 5-6 conference at a modern, Tuscany-style convention center in Hermosillo.
Perfectionism shines for Aguirre
HERMOSILLO, SONORA — Alan Aguirre, director general of Grupo Alta, headquartered here, is very highly respected in Mexico and the Nogales produce circle. Aguirre acknowledged that he is best known as a strict perfectionist.
A Feb. 4 tour of two of his many Mexican horticultural ranches showed what can be accomplished with such perfectionism.
Tomato floor prices concern Canelos
NOGALES, AZ — The Mexican tomato industry is into its second full shipping season of working under the United States’ price floor for Mexican tomatoes.
Voicing concern against this agreement is one of the largest shippers of Mexican tomatoes, Alejandro Canelos, director of Apache Produce Imports LLC, which ships the “Plain Jane” brand.
IPR Fresh’s Obregon comments on industry progress
RIO RICO, AZ — Good communication between growers and distributors, atop stable markets for consumers, are good for business, in the view of Jose Luis Obregon, president of IPR Fresh, which is based here.
Obregon said Mexican grower communications with Nogales-area distributors such as IPR have improved. “If people are informed, they are planning better.”
Generally, he said, “The market is very informed. There are more sources of information now.”
This spring he expects the markets to be stable.
P.D.G. celebrates 30th anniversary
RIO RICO, AZ — This October will mark the 30th anniversary of Rio Rico-based P.D.G. Produce, Inc., which was launched by Paul Guy in 1985.
Lisa offering strong spring veg line
NOGALES, AZ — The spring product offering of Lisa Inc., is highlighted by pickling cucumbers, Roma tomatoes, tomatillos and jalapeno and pasilla (poblano) peppers, according to John Lichter, Lisa’s sales manager.
“The weather has been good and the volume the same,” Lichter said.
Lisa’s vegetable deal runs from October to May. “We consolidate, mix loads and ship,” he added.
Organic veg market is ‘reinvigorated’
NOGALES, AZ — As February rolled around, organic Mexican vegetable markets were “coming off,” according to Steve LeFevre, sales manager for Wholesum Family Farms, based here.
The movement had been “backed up by high prices. This will take a couple of weeks to settle,” he said on Jan. 30.
In mid-January, organic Mexican vegetable supplies were down and demand pushed high prices for all products in this category except for red bell peppers.
R.C.F.’s citrus expansion going well
RIO RICO, AZ — A heightened focus on shipping Mexican citrus continues for R.C.F. Produce. Inc., based here. The firm has slowly built its Mexican citrus volume over the last two shipping seasons. The citrus is shipped under the “R.C.F.” brand.
Malu Crespo, president and general manager, said, “We have increased our citrus a lot. All of our citrus is grown in Sonora. The citrus season is going very well. It’s a little tight now (in January), with more demand. That is good for the growers and us, too.”
Keith Connell expands staff; focuses on service
RIO RICO, AZ — Keith Connell, Inc. should have some watermelon availability for the Easter pull, weather permitting, according to Danny Connell, who heads the Rio Rico office of the family business. “It may still be cool at the end of March,” he cautioned.
Easter is April 5 this year. Connell said his larger Mexican watermelon volume will come on in the week after Easter.
Connell’s affiliated watermelon growers are in Jalisco, Los Mochis, Obregon and Hermosillo. The Hermosillo growers planted in the first full week of January.