Splendid sees great strides in Mexico
Silver linings can be elusive, but it is a positive that food safety is top of mind for virtually all Mexican mango sheds this year.
Visibility, familiarity key to increased sales for Southern Specialties
A quick Google search of “mangos recipes” illustrates the point for Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties Inc. He ticks of the various entries — mango salsa, mango avocado salad, chipotle mango, frozen mango margarita — and declares that mangos are becoming mainstream, which he sees as the key to increasing consumption and sales.
“The key to increasing mango sales as a whole is, number one, you have to have them on the shelf, and secondly people have to be familiar with the product,” Eagle said.
Significant mango volume increase for HLB Specialties
Approaching its third anniversary, Pompano Beach, FL-based HLB Specialties LLC, is anticipating a significant increase in its mango volume as it transitions to a 52 week supplier.
The firm was founded in October of 2010 as a joint venture between Southern Specialties Inc. and HLB Tropical Food USA Inc.
Initially the resulting company focused on sourcing, growing, packing, shipping and distributing several varieties of papayas grown in Brazil, Ecuador, Belize, Mexico and other countries in Central and South America. It has since expanded into mangos.
Mangos play important role at Panorama Produce
Though mangos have only been part of the product lineup at Panorama Produce Sales Inc. of Mamaroneck, NY, for one-third of its 30-year life, they are a very important part of the company’s business.
The firm was founded by brothers Jeff and Rick Nagelberg and now include Jeff’s son, Eric, who is in charge of the mango program. “We’ve been importing mangos for over 10 years,” he said, “and are continuing to show steady growth.”
Food safety is the focus of Coast Tropical’s attention
In light of the mango recall that occurred at the end of the 2012 season, San Diego-based Coast Tropical has spent much of its time, energy and resources in 2013 making sure all of its mango providers have top notch food safety programs in place and have achieved all the necessary certifications.
The crowning event of that effort was the construction of a dedicated state-of-the-art packing facility in the Los Mochis district in Northern Sinaloa in Mexico.
Vision Import Group sees promotional opportunities ahead
Without hesitation, Ronnie Cohen, who is vice president of sales for Vision Import Group LLC in River Edge, NJ, and a former chairman of the National Mango Board, said the time to promote mangos is now often. “Promote! Promote! Promote!” he said.
It has long been known that the retail sales of mangos are very dependent upon promotions. The better the perceived value by the U.S. consumer, the more likely they are to buy the world’s most popular fruit. Cohen said the fall months should offer ample opportunities to promote for most retailers.
Mango temperature is the key to ripening and flavor
This summer, the National Mango Board hosted its second free Mango Temperature Management & Ripening Webinar for retailers and importers in an effort to expose more industry personnel to proper handling techniques for the tropical fruit. The webinar provided attendees with information on the importance of proper temperature management to enhance consumers’ mango-eating experience.
Southern Specialties expands Guatemala lime deal
Southern Specialties Inc., a grower, importer, processor and shipper of a variety of specialty products grown in Central America, South America, Mexico, Canada and the United States, has expanded its presence in Guatemala with an increase in its Persian limes.
RPE-Colorado in full swing with 2013 potato harvest
RPE-Colorado anticipates moving a quality crop of potatoes from the San Luis Valley this season. “The harvest of our local Colorado crop is underway currently, as well as our growing partners’ crops,” said Randy Shell, vice president of marketing and new business development. “We will be in full swing harvesting our potatoes around Sept. 9 and should wrap up harvest around the first week of October.”
The parent company, RPE Inc., is located in Bancroft, WI.
Strohauer Farms eyeing future expansion outside Colorado
Earlier this year, Strohauer Farms, based in LaSalle, CO, launched a potato program in northeastern New Mexico. Harry Strohauer, owner/grower, said the move was brought about by water shortages in Colorado, and a portion of his conventional bulk potatoes were grown in the neighboring state, then brought to Colorado for packing and shipping.
Conventional Yukons from New Mexico started in late July, followed by russets in early August.