Though acreage is down, perfect weather sets the stage for an excellent Texas onion window
After two rough years, Texas onion growers scaled back acreage by 20 percent this season, but with Northwest storage supplies low and Mexican sweet onions slowed to a trickle, Lone Star State growers are looking at promising markets and great weather that has helped Texas get out of the gate early and make the most out of what is in the ground.
Avocado Commission programs geared to moving more volume early
The California Avocado Commission in Irvine, CA, is getting an earlier start in its promotional programs for the 2013 season than it has done for the last several years in support of what is expected to be heavier-than-usual volume in a large crop year.
National Mango Board to launch expanded consumer program
Buoyed by an increase in assessment, the National Mango Board is ramping up its promotional programs in an effort to continue growing the mango category.
"With the increased assessment that we began collecting last fall, we have a very nice program in place for 2013," said Bill Vogel, president of Vision Produce Co. in Los Angeles, who is the 2013 chairman of the National Mango Board. "We've also been able to increase our research component by tying in with the Center for Produce Safety, which is doing a project for us this year."
Eco Farms sees larger crops, but slower start to season than anticipated
The California crop is bigger this year and the crop for Eco Farms Avocados Inc. in Temecula, CA, is larger as well, said Steve Taft, president of Eco Farms, in an interview with The Produce News Feb. 21.
“It is really slow to get started, though,” he said. “Here it is almost the end of February, and we haven’t done 10 million pounds of fruit total [as an industry] out of 500 million” pounds estimated for the season. “So we are kind of backing ourselves into a bit of a corner with that, unfortunately.”
Index Fresh looks forward to centennial anniversary in 2014
Index Fresh Inc., which packs avocados in the “AvoTerra” brand, among others, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2014.
Although the company handles avocados from several growing regions, “we are a corporation owned by California growers,” said President Dana Thomas in an interview with The Produce News Feb. 20. “We have 100 years of representing California growers, so the California crop is incredibly important to us.”
The company will be “talking a lot” about its plans to celebrate its 100-year history “as we get ready to roll that out,” he said.
OFA, nursery and landscape group launch first joint event
OFA, The Association of Horticulture Professionals, and the American Nursery & Landscape Association launched their first joint event, Next Level, Jan. 31-Feb. 2 in Nashville, TN. The conference represents one of first steps toward the proposed consolidation between the two groups.
Next Level is an educational conference designed to help participants develop their business acumen and personal leadership skills. A volunteer advisory group of members from both groups worked with staff to develop the conference.
Two floral and plant trade shows to be staged in Moscow under one roof this year
Organizers of two Russian horticulture trade shows announced an agreement Jan. 15 in Moscow to hold their two fairs on the same dates in the same building to cover the complete span of Russian floriculture, gardening and landscaping in one event.
Fair Flowers Fair Plants combines with MPS on trial run in United States in 2013
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Fair Flowers Fair Plants is coming to the United States on a trial basis in the coming year in cooperation with MPS certification company, according to Arthij van der Veer, MPS international coordinator.
With immigration at top of its list, floral group holds lobbying day in DC
With comprehensive immigration reform gaining momentum in Washington, DC, floral industry professionals will be making visits to Capitol Hill March 12 in an attempt to make sure members of Congress clearly understand how immigration policy affects flower growers and floral wholesalers and retailers.
The Society of American Florists was scheduled to meet March 11 in Alexandria, VA, for its annual Congressional Action Days, which includes speakers and briefings March 11 and visits to Congressional offices March 12.
John Nevado wins Innovation in Action award
John Nevado, president of Nevado Roses in Ecuador, won the 2012 Innovation Pioneers One Wish Award for “exceptional ideas and outstanding actions” in transforming the rose-farming industry, according to a news release. The award was presented recently at the 2012 Innovation in Action symposium held late last year in Stockholm, Sweden.