Crops & Markets

Garlic’s hot streak to last well into 2011

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:01:04 GMT

Unprecedented high garlic prices show no signs of easing up anytime soon, grower-shippers and importers said.

“In our 61 years of business, we have never seen such a market,” said Louis Hymel, director of purchasing and marketing at Orlando, Fla.-based Spice World Inc.

Fresh cranberry estimate falls

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:06:30 GMT

The amount of fresh cranberries sold in the U.S. will likely be lower this season because of poor growing weather in Quebec.

New pest found in pineapple shipment

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:14:21 GMT

A pest never before seen in the U.S. has been found in a shipment of fresh pineapples.

UPDATED: Calavo profit more than doubles on strong avocado demand

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:01:03 GMT

(UPDATED COVERAGE, Sept. 3) Calavo Growers Inc.’s quarterly profit more than doubled to a record amid strong demand that’s absorbing expanding supplies.

South Korea clears way for U.S. organic imports

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:44:58 GMT

Under a renewed agreement, U.S. producers of organic fruits and vegetables and other products will have access to Korean markets through 2012.

USDA helps support organic growers, handlers

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:42:32 GMT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers partial reimbursements for USDA-accredited organic certification acquired on or after Dec. 21, 2000 through its National Organic Certification Cost Share Program. It was allocated a one-time $22 million in FY 2008 from Congress.

Medfly eradicated in Florida county

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:34:16 GMT

Mediterranean fruit flies have been eradicated from Palm Beach County, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

U.S. fruit, vegetable exports will hit record, USDA says

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:05:51 GMT

U.S. growers will export a record $6.2 billion worth of fresh fruits and vegetables next year, up 5.1% from this year, on increasing demand from Canada, Japan and the European Union, according to a government report.

California Granny Smiths up to 12 days late

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:49:10 GMT

California apples are running late and in some cases facing stiff competition from rival deals.

Cold strikes Argentina's blueberries

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:39:04 GMT

A chill has been blowing through Argentina’s blueberry industry the last couple of years, and this season may be worse yet, according to suppliers.

Oriental fruit flies found in Florida

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:10:00 GMT

Oriental fruit flies have been found in a Florida grapefruit tree.

USDA approves Pakistani mango imports

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:00:08 GMT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has given the green light to fresh mango imports from Pakistan.

Small specialty corn variety hits East Coast

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:54:00 GMT

A seed company is trying to increase production and demand for a small-sized specialty sweet corn variety to East Coast growers and consumers.

UPDATED: Quality excellent as Asian pear volumes increase

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:36:20 GMT

(UPDATED COVERAGE, Aug. 26) Grower-shippers reported excellent quality on this season’s crop of California Asian pears, and prices should fall in September as higher-volume varieties begin shipping.

Mexican mango deal sets record

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:01:21 GMT

Mexican mango shipments have already broken the volume record for a season, and markets should strengthen as South America begins taking over, importers said.

N.J. offers organic certification reimbursement

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:34:40 GMT

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is offering partial reimbursements for U.S. Department of Agriculture-accredited organic certification acquired between Oct. 1 of last year and Sept. 30 of this year.

First sweet orange scab cases confirmed

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:54:22 GMT

Sweet orange scab has been found on citrus trees in Texas and Louisiana.

Mushroom production lower in 2009-10

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:58:05 GMT

Mushroom growers produced fewer mushrooms this season, with lower value of sales.

Specialties remain big sellers in Florida

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 20:32:05 GMT

MIAMI — A more difficult economy has changed the types of specialties Florida buyers have been ordering.

Quarantines continue to frustrate California grower-shippers

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 23:24:07 GMT

Even as the California Department of Food and Agriculture claimed victory over an infestation of Mediterranean fruit flies in San Diego County, the agency was forced to expand one quarantine zone and establish yet another.

Chilean cherries: Lone exception to stone fruit's down trend

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:21:25 GMT

Chilean peach, nectarine and plum production is trending lower, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported in mid-August.

Flooding shouldn’t affect Texas onion volumes

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:31:11 GMT

Flooding in south Texas will make some onion growers scramble to find dry land for fall plantings, but volumes won’t likely be affected, shippers said.

Cranberry production expected up 6%

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 19:33:35 GMT

About 7.4 million barrels of cranberries — 6% more than last year — are expected to be shipped in the U.S. in 2010-11, but fresh-market volumes are likely to be unchanged, grower-shippers said.

Purfresh sun protectant now available in Mexico

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:49:48 GMT

Fremont, Calif.-based Purshade now offers its Purshade solar protectant in Mexico through a partnership with Arysta LifeScience Corp.

Pink Lady taps into fruit’s appeal with new website

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:42:16 GMT

Playing upon its unique flavor profile, Pink Lady America has remade its website.

Another fruit fly quarantine in California

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:36:26 GMT

For the second time in as many months, the detection of Oriental fruit flies has resulted in an agricultural quarantine area imposed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

No slowdown as California fruit rolls into fall

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 16:24:10 GMT

Sunny California was woefully lacking in the vitamin D-delivering rays though late winter and early spring.

National Onion Labs adds grower

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:21:58 GMT

A Georgia-based sweet onion certifier has added another grower to its roster.

Pipfruit, grape production likely to drop in 2010

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:18:24 GMT

Apple, pear and grape production in the U.S. should fall in 2010, according to a new U.S. Department of Agriculture report.

San Luis Valley spud shippers expect stronger demand

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:45:00 GMT

Potato grower-shippers in Colorado’s San Luis Valley report minimal damage from poor weather in the spring and look forward to stronger markets this fall.

Washington apple industry projects record fresh crop

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:35:00 GMT

Washington apple grower-shippers expect to market a record fresh apple crop of 108.8 million cartons in 2010-11, about 5 million cartons more than last season and barely above the previous high of 108.3 million cartons shipped in 2008-09.

Broccoli and cauliflower markets could strengthen soon

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:16:54 GMT

Sluggish broccoli and cauliflower markets could see an upturn in coming weeks, grower-shippers and buyers said.

Hail, rain hit Treasure Valley onions

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 21:42:19 GMT

Heavy rain and hail tore through the Treasure Valley region of Idaho and eastern Oregon Aug. 6, but damage to onion crops will likely be minimal, grower-shippers said.

U.S. potato exporters seek end to Canadian tariff

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:57:38 GMT

U.S. potato exporters again expressed their displeasure with Canadian officials about a long-running antidumping tariff on American potatoes exported to British Columbia.