Japan a promising market for North American watermelon
Watermelon consumption is at its highest level in 50 years, watermelon prices are higher than ever, and the trade has nothing but good things to say about the effectiveness of the staff of the Orlando, FL-based National Watermelon Promotion Board.
But the benefits of hiring experienced representatives will become further evidenced this summer, as a volume of watermelons will very likely be exported for the first time to Japan.
Light on front end, promotable Mexican grape volume from late May through June
Official estimates for the 2009 Sonora spring grape crop, week by week and variety by variety, will be announced Friday, April 17, during the annual Sonora Spring Summit in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. But growers and marketers of grapes from Mexico were expecting a significantly smaller crop overall than in 2008.
Total crop size for export to the United States was expected to be in the range of 10 million to 12 million boxes, vs. an unusually large export volume of about 15.5 million boxes in 2008.
INDUSTRY VIEWPOINT: Pack Career Pathways Scholarship speaks to next generation of produce leaders
How did you begin your career in produce? Your story might be a heartwarming one of family-owned produce stands, or even the occasional "dumb luck" story. Not so for me, as my choice of a career in produce was a deliberate, calculated move spurred by the Produce Marketing Association's Foundation for Industry Talent outreach to me as a college student. And it is a choice that I hope many more young professionals will make in the years to come, with the industry's help.
Crown Jewels picks up Perez Packing's West Side melon deal
FRESNO, CA -- Crown Jewels Marketing LLC, here, will be marketing about 2.5 million cartons of cantaloupes and honeydews this summer from Perez Packing Inc. in Firebaugh, CA, a deal formerly sold by Del Monte Fresh Produce Co. in Coral Gables, FL.
The Perez family has been farming on the West Side of the San Joaquin Valley, west of Fresno, for the last 70 years or so, said Atomic Torosian, a managing partner at Crown Jewels.
April 1 fresh apple holdings at 48.2 million bushels
VIENNA, VA -- April 1 holdings of fresh apples were 48.2 million bushels, down from 62 million reported March 1, according to a report issue April 10 by the U.S. Apple Association, based here.
The fresh market holdings reflect a 33 percent increase over March 2008 holdings and 25 percent more than the five-year average.
Processing apple holdings of 21.4 million bushels were 6 percent below year earlier levels and 6 percent below the five-year average for the April 1 reporting period.
D'Arrigo Bros. and The Salad Farm strike deal
SALINAS, CA -- D'Arrigo Bros. Co. of California and The Salad Farm, both based here, have entered into an agreement that has The Salad Farm shipping product through the new D'Arrigo Bros. facility here.
For D'Arrigo Bros., the agreement primarily allows the company to expand its product line and offer products it was not already carrying -- such as spinach, spring mix and arugula -- to its customers. The primary benefit to The Salad Farm is that its product line is exposed to a broader customer base. The partnership launched April 1.
Naturipe puts non-core expansion on hold
Naples, FL-based Naturipe Farms LLC said that the downturn in the economy will result in the company delaying plans to branch out beyond its non-core business.
As a result of its plan to continue to focus on its berry programs, Naturipe laid off several employees including Michael McCartney, its vice president of operations.
CDFA partners with CPS to invest in food safety projects
SACRAMENTO, CA -- The California Department of Food & Agriculture and the University of California at Davis-based Center for Produce Safety have signed a no-cost agreement to enhance the department's food safety grants process and leverage additional funding.
Ray Gilmer joining United
WASHINGTON -- The United Fresh Produce Association has announced the appointment of Ray Gilmer as vice president of communications, where he will bring more than 20 years of combined experience in agricultural issues management, public relations and crisis management to United's senior management team.
U.S. announces new Chilean sweet orange and grapefruit protocol
SONOMA, CA -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced approval of a long-awaited protocol that permits the shipment of sweet oranges and grapefruits from Chile to the United States. The final rule was published April 7 in the Federal Register.