On April 1, 2023, Patricia Compres and Maria Bermudez celebrated their 10th anniversary since launching Advance Customs Brokers & Consulting.

“It’s been a very successful first 10 years,” Compres said. “We have a great team behind us and many loyal customers that keep us thriving.”

Though the Peruvian asparagus deal is very challenging this year with less overall volume, Square 1 Farms is anticipating an increase in its own offerings.

“Despite the many challenges the industry has been facing with asparagus this year, we’ve seen growth in overall market share and volume to the North American retail sectors,” said Tim Ryan, company founder and president.

With increases in volume from both its imported and domestic sources, Maurice A. Auerbach Inc. is experiencing double digit growth in its year-round asparagus program.

Though the volume of Peruvian asparagus expected to be exported to the U.S. market this fall will be down, Crystal Valley Foods believes the trend toward value-added options will continue to increase.

Pompano Beach, FL-based Southern Specialties is anticipating a drop in volume this year of its Peruvian asparagus deal, but it still expects to maintain its market share as the entire deal has taken a volume hit.

“Volume is down significantly from Peru this year. El Nino temperatures and weather conditions are not helping the asparagus production,” said Carlos Solf, the company’s director of procurement, adding that the weather has resulted in “very low yields this year.”

With the addition of robotic sorters and automatic palletizers, Eagle Eye Produce of Idaho Falls, ID, has completed a two-year technology upgrade that makes liberal use of artificial intelligence and has significantly reduced its labor needs.