North America
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from North America.
Orchard tech firm Hectre secures funding for AI-based expansion
Company founder predicts US$1bn valuation within next five years as develops quality assessment tools and possible trading platform
Family Tree Farms promotes Leighton Dill to marketing director
California group recognises decade of contributions to brand strategy and international market development with senior leadership appointment
US mandarin imports keep on growing
Imports in 2025/26 projected to account for almost half of total consumption of fresh mandarins and tangerines
Taiwan to eliminate tariffs on key US fruit exports under new trade deal
US apples, cherries, peaches and pears among wide range of fruits to enjoy duty-free access under reciprocal trade agreement
Comment: Greenhouse tech is often ‘too costly to scale’
Technological complexity and high costs will continue to restrict growth of covered production, especially in the US, says Kubo CEO
T&G reports strong demand for Envy ahead of Lunar New Year
Forecast sales volumes expected to increase 27 per cent in China, 19 per cent in Vietnam and 16 per cent in Thailand
USDA announces US$212mn agriculture export development funding
Fresh produce organisations receive market access and market development support
Vanguard to develop major blueberry farm in Peru
Company announces first phase will see it establish 550ha production centre, strengthening its sourcing capability out of Peru
Chiquita resumes Panama banana exports via Costa Rica
Company expects full production to resume in second half of 2026, as exports via Port of Moín in Costa Rica get underway
Ahold-Delhaize reports on positive 2025
Retailer enjoys growth in sales and operating income despite what CEO Frans Muller calls a “rapidly shifting environment”
Strong start to 2026 for Catalytic Generators
Company flags Europe as a strategic growth market and prepares to launch digital control and remote monitoring in fruit ripening operations worldwide
Guac scores biggest Big Game yet
Avocados From Mexico reports historic 300mn lbs of Mexican avocados imported for Sunday’s Super Bowl
Mission Produce introduces display-ready mango carton
New packaging designed to support retail merchandising and category growth
CMI Orchards strengthens year-round pear programmes
Partnership with Argentina’s Kleppe family complements domestic programmes
New review underscores public health case for fresh produce
Foundation for Fresh Produce white paper underscores strong evidence linking fruits and vegetables to reduced non-communicable disease risk
Global experts to gather in Mexico to address key banana challenges
Acorbat/Corbana Banana Congress will address key issues for the sustainability and competitiveness of banana production
Fresh Del Monte secures court approval for asset acquisition
Approval clears the way for Fresh Del Monte to acquire prepared and packaged foods businesses as well as global ownership of the Del Monte brand
Chiquita welcomes banana pan-genome breakthrough
Project backed by Chiquita and Innocent Drinks claims major step forward in fight against disease, with new varieties potentially months from development
South African citrus industry welcomes AGOA but notes lack of impact
The country’s citrus industry says this week’s inclusion of South Africa in AGOA will make no material differences to prospects for exports to the US
Raingrown fruit initiative saves 1.6bn litres of water
Eosta publishes results of its Organic Raingrown project, which sources fruit only from producers that use natural rainfall rather than irrigation
Asia drives growth for global banana trade
Philippines claims second-largest global exporter as China emerges as significant import destination
AGOA extension welcomed but tariffs remain on South African fruit
President Trump extends AGOA for one year, but South Africans say it will not change trade options for the country’s fruit
Tariff elimination on the table for US fruits as India trade deal agreed
US trade representative suggests tariffs on nuts, fruits and vegetables will drop to zero
CMI Orchards receives global recognition for sustainable innovations
Leading US grower-packer-shipper receives two 2026 Seal Sustainability Awards for its regenerative, climate‑positive tree fruit production
Orsero Group plans €5mn investment in Italy and Spain
Strong expected performance in its core distribution business sets Italian company up for year of expansion in Europe and North America
California Avocado Commission forecasts 150,000-tonne crop
Terry Splane calls time on 40-year career, including two years as CAC vice president of marketing
Jerry Guerrero and Brenton Helm take on new roles at Family Tree Farms
Helm and Guerrero have been promoted to new leadership positions
North Bay Produce unveils farmer-focused rebrand
The Michigan-based company will unveil its farmer-focused rebrand at Fruit Logistica, featuring innovative augmented reality labels
Dubai bolsters standing as regional hub
With the creation of the Foodstuffs, Fruit and Vegetable Market, set to be twice the size of the current market, Dubai is reinforcing its position as a world-class hub for fresh produce, according to Redha Mansouri, CEO of Fresh Fruits Company, and Hesam Rahi, CEO of Farzana Trading
Comment: A new dawn for innovation – why the EU’s gene editing ruling matters
Steve Nelson, CEO of Plant Sciences Genetics, says the EU’s agreement on gene-edited plants marks a turning point for plant breeding innovation
Amazon shutters Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores
Closures come as retail giant doubles down on online grocery delivery and Whole Foods Market expansion
Wonderful Company announces over US$1.5mn in funding for central valley nonprofits and schools
Funding distributed to over 40 recipients across California’s Central Valley as part of 2025 Wonderful Community Grants Program
Avocados From Mexico again opts for AI for Super Bowl
This year it has launched the Prediction Pit, an interactive tool offers real-time football predictions and custom guacamole recipes
Blueberries could help chase away the blues
New study suggests the fruit may improve symptoms of depression and anxiety
CH Robinson deploys AI agents to tackle missed pickups
Logistics specialist says automated systems now resolve hundreds of missed collections each day for thousands of customers
Fruit Logistica Briefing: AI is changing everything – are you ready for it?
Watch a recording of the event’s fascinating discussion on artificial intelligence and automation in the fresh produce business