The Hunts Point Produce Market is the biggest produce market in the country, and if only the sale of fruits and vegetables is taken into consideration, the largest in the world.

Sunny Valley International has marketed New Jersey peaches for nearly 30 years and is the exclusive marketing agent for the Jersey Fruit Cooperative and Larchmont Farms.

“We market yellow and white flesh peaches and yellow nectarines under the Jersey Fruit and Just Picked labels,” said Tom Beaver, director of sales and marketing for the Glassboro, NJ-based company. “We are the largest shipper of New Jersey stone fruit by volume. Typically, we ship New Jersey peaches and nectarines from late-June through Labor Day.”

WP Produce has been a well-known trusted grower-shipper of fresh, tropical fruits and vegetables for almost four decades.

With farms in Florida and the Dominican Republic, as well as having close partnerships with numerous farmers in Central and South America, the second-generation family business has grown to be one of the largest suppliers of tropical and specialty produce items today, shipping worldwide.

Continental Fresh specializes in tropical imports from Latin America, servicing retail, foodservice, wholesale and process customers throughout the United States.

Coming off a first quarter of 2023 with its vegetable program of cucumbers and squash, Continental Fresh saw much success. The second and third quarter of 2023 is heavily devoted to Mexican mangos, packing under the Water For All label.

Before the pandemic, exotic fruit was slowly gaining in popularity, as foodies and Millennials were discovering interesting new fruit to eat, whether alone or in innovative recipes. These adventurous shoppers were buying tropical fruit at historic rates, with retailers clamoring for more from tropical importers and wholesalers.

Once March of 2020 came, sales started to decrease, as consumers were more interested in buying traditional items, especially with their produce. Sticking to something known was putting people more at ease during a turbulent time.

For Sonny Boy Produce, blueberries are its No. 1 seller throughout the year.

“Our family has been involved in pushing blues for over 40 years and has been at the forefront of the growth of the item,” said Tom Consalo, president of the company. “We were among the first to make deliveries into Canada and many other market areas. During the local New Jersey season, many areas rely on us for their supply and expect quality product which we pride ourselves on delivering.”