Supply gap sends strawberry prices skyward
California strawberry production has basically become a year-round proposition, but the early-December period still has sketchy supplies, which has led to a significant demand-exceeds-supply situation and skyrocketing prices for the current time period.
The market should ease up a bit over the next several weeks, but a strong market should take grower-shippers into the new-crop season.
On Dec. 5, the U.S. Federal State Market News Service was reporting flat prices in the $25 range, with California, Mexico and Florida each chipping in with minimal supplies.
Southern Specialties highest volume shipper of Peruvian asparagus for seven consecutive years
For the seventh consecutive year, Southern Specialties was recognized as having the highest air cargo volume of Paruvian asparagus into the United Sates.
Rocket Farms Herbs acquires HerbThyme Farms
Rocket Farms Herbs Inc., a subsidiary of Monterey Peninsula Horticulture Inc., has acquired the assets of HerbThyme Farms, the largest cut herb producer in the United States.
The acquisition supports Rocket Farms Herbs' growth strategy to innovate new products, enter new categories and expand into new channels of distribution, according to a Dec. 7 press release issued by Rocket Farms. Details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Bushwick Commission focuses on locally grown potatoes
Ken Gray, vice president of sales and marketing for the Bushwick Commission in Farmingdale, NY, told The Produce News that the company continues its focus on offering customers potatoes that have traveled the least amount of miles, are of high quality, offer retailers value and provide the savings that today’s consumers are searching out.
Sigma is shipper and broker, with operations in Nogales and California
“We have been down here a long time,” said Mike Smith, president of Sigma Sales Inc. in Nogales, AZ. “At Sigma, we have been here for 20 years,” and many members of the Sigma team have been involved in the Nogales produce deal much longer than that.
Ready Pac national communications meeting reflects on 2012 successes
At a national communications meeting held in Anaheim, CA, Ready Pac Foods Inc. brought together its entire sales, marketing, and research and development teams, along with key executives from cross-functional areas, to examine the company's 2012 fiscal year results and kick off its 2013 fiscal year. Despite continued economic uncertainty and the challenges of Mother Nature, Ready Pac executives were very pleased with their teams' groundbreaking successes.
Chilean early table grape producers launch FreshAtacama seal
As a way to distinguish early-season Chilean grapes and show a commitment to quality, growers from Atacama's Copiapó and Huasco valleys have launched the FreshAtacama quality seal. The certification ensures consistent product quality throughout the season.
Paramount to acquire assets of Rio Queen
Paramount Citrus, based in Delano, CA, and Rio Queen, based in Mission, TX, announced that they have entered into an agreement for Paramount Citrus to acquire the citrus assets of Rio Queen Citrus.
Johnson joins sales staff at Borton
Sky Johnson is already maintaining a busy schedule with Borton & Sons Inc. as its newest sales account manager. President of Sales & Marketing Denny Annen said Mr. Johnson came on board Nov. 12.
"He did join us at the PMA convention this year in October to get some exposure and has already proved to be a valuable asset to our sales team," Mr. Annen told The Produce News on Nov. 28.
Quality good, supplies tighter at Snake River Produce
With production down by an estimated 25 percent this season, Snake River Produce in Nyssa, OR, is working with tighter supplies, according to General Manager Kay Riley.
The other side of the coin is that quality of the Spanish Sweets out of the Idaho-Eastern Oregon growing region is good and markets are strong, he said.