Southern Specialties, based in Pompano Beach, FL, has over 25 years of experience in offshore production — importing, processing and distributing — according to Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development.

“During the course of the year, we’re involved in growing and shipping fruits and vegetables from 10 different countries,” he told The Produce News on Jan. 25, noting that the backbone of the company’s specialty vegetable program is Guatemalan. “We grow in several regions in Guatemala,” he added.

However, the company is also currently handling offshore produce from other areas of the world, including Peru and Mexico.

“We’re entering our number one crop, asparagus,” Eagle said. “We’ve had year-round supplies of asparagus from Peru, but we’re entering our Mexican season and we have conventional asparagus as well as organic.”

Southern Specialties’ Southern Selects asparagus.Eagle mentioned that the majority of the company’s program out of Caborca, Mexico, includes 11- and 28-pound cases, but it also offers specialty packs that include its Southern Selects value-added asparagus, as well as its organic asparagus offerings.

“The product is entering through San Luis, AZ, and we expect the deal to last until mid-April,” he said. Asparagus is available f.o.b. from Pompano Beach, FL, San Luis, AZ, and Los Angeles shipping points.

As for other items the company handles, Eagle said that in general, the El Nino weather patterns have adversely affected production this season.

For example, Southern Specialties’ sno peas and snap peas were affected by erratic weather patterns early in the production cycle, according to Eagle, causing volumes to be lighter than the company’s initial projections.

French beans, baby carrots and baby squashes have all been stable with good to moderate volumes, although Eagle anticipated cold weather at the end of January to possibly affect supplies. The company also has a moderate supply of Brussels sprouts as its nearing the end of its Guatemalan season and transitioning into its Mexican fields.

Berries out of Guatemala and Mexico have been light, Eagle said, while supplies of juicy Persian limes from Guatemala have been picking up with excellent availability into February, he added.

Southern Specialties also handles Hass avocados from Mexico and hydroponic heirloom tomatoes from Guatemala, which Eagle noted are both in good supply.

As for the year ahead, Eagle said the company is looking forward to the upcoming Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure show, March 3-5.

“We’re preparing to see our customers, both new and old, in our backyard — Hollywood Beach, FL,” he said.

Southern Specialties will also be welcoming Southern Exposure attendees to its facility, Eagle mentioned, adding that those wishing to visit should contact Kristen Francisco, director of sales, for more information.