North America
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from North America.
Comment: Banana industry should not restrict itself to conventional breeding
Agricultural scientist Professor James Dale considers why gene editing may be the only sensible option to develop a new banana variety with effective disease resistance
Kiwi brand Zespri’s ‘big moment’ in the US and Canada
Chris Wilson tells The Fresh Ideas Show how the kiwifruit giant intends to drive major growth across North America for SunGold and Ruby Red
Banana Link remains determined after three decades
Despite a bunch of successes, the UK-based NGO still faces some familiar challenges as it strives for supply chain sustainability
Oregon pear growers face ruin after ‘extremely difficult’ campaign
Combination of psylla infestation, drought, rising costs, labour shortages and trade tensions brings some growers to brink
Chiquita to export 11mn boxes of bananas after Panama operations resume
Multinational said volume is projected to 15mn boxes as it continues to reactivate farms in the province
Fall Creek to spotlight machine-harvestable blueberry breakthrough at field day
Retailers from North America, Chile, and Northern Europe, Fall Creek Collection growers and Sekoya programme licensees to attend Fall Creek’s first global high-chill field and forum in Oregon
Belgian topfruit battles shipping uncertainty
Apple and pear producers in Belgium are keeping an eye on the weather forecast as much of Europe bakes in its second heatwave of the year, but the reliability of the shipping lines remains the chief concern for exporters
Michigan wraps up “strong” asparagus season
MAAB reflects on marketing campaign combining retail promotions, influencer partnerships and digital content designed to drive consumer demand
SanLucar acquires stake in Twin River Berries
Deal will serve as a springboard for SanLucar’s expansion into North America and Asia
Conterra agrees deal for Californian table grape producer
Californian group Hronis set to be acquired by its primary lender, following post-bankruptcy sale
Tempestuous season takes toll on South African grape trade
Geopolitical, logistical and climate disruptions all combine to prompt major shakeup in country’s grape export business
USApple promotes Lynsee Gibbons to vice-president of communications
President and CEO Jim Bair credits comms leader with advancing organisation’s policy priorities and member engagement
Del Monte and Treatt launch upcycled fruit extract range
New collaboration is turning fruit by-products into premium clean-label beverage ingredients
West Pak Avocado unveils new organic programme identity
US avocado supplier West Pak is challenging organic produce conventions with a gold-yellow rebrand of its organic avocado programme
California Avocado Commission calls for seasonal quota on Mexican imports
Commission releases video pushing for seasonal tariff rate limit in response to US-Mexico-Canada Agreement review
State of Mexico expects to export first avocados to Canada this year
The state has 12,000ha of avocado plantings and produces more than 120,000 tonnes a year
Vanguard International’s inaugural blueberry harvest underway
Expansion into berry category follows successful foray into table grapes
Montagna leads Greenyard’s US business after Sotomayor steps back
Group confirms leadership transition in North American division, effective 1 July, following year of shared leadership
Comment: What's changed in fresh produce in the last 36 years? Quite a lot…
Promar International divisional director John Giles reflects on huge transformations in international fruit and vegetable sector
US upholds anti-dumping order on Mexican fresh tomatoes
Florida growers welcome US commission ruling, which places additional duty on imports from southern neighbour
Californian Table Grape Commission launches summer campaign
Series of promotional activity aims to capture demand around Fourth of July holiday
Orsero makes landmark entry into US fresh produce market
Italian group invests US$46mn in US importer Trucco to establish first presence in world’s largest fresh produce consumer market
Tropical fruits outperform wider produce market, congress hears
Suppliers and retailers gather for Fruitnet Tropicals Congress, where commercial outlook is very positive despite major challenges
Dole’s premium play: the story behind the piña colada pineapple
The arrival of Colada Royale, a pineapple 15 years in the making, marks more than just a new variety launch, as Dole’s Bil Goldfield explains
Del Monte on pioneering premium tropicals across European markets
Gianpaolo Renino of the newly-rebranded Del Monte Corporation discusses the group’s strategic approach to tropical fruit innovation
Soluna apples expand coast-to-coast in US for 2026
Western Australian premium variety returns to US market for second season with ‘significantly wider’ footprint
IFPA launches ‘All Day, Every Day’ fresh produce consumption campaign
New campaign from IFPA and The Foundation for Fresh Produce seeks to bridge the gap between dietary recommendations and real-world consumption
Egypt’s Pico navigates evolving grape landscape
As warming climate changes production seasons and influences consumer purchases, supplier says adaptability is key
Indian mangoes draw crowds in the US
Festivals in New York and Washington DC give thousands of consumers a taste of Indian mangoes
EU formally adopts US nut and dried fruit tariff deal
New EU legislation sets zero customs duties on US dried fruits including sultanas, apricots and prunes
Messe Berlin Americas and Mexico’s National Agricultural Council join forces
A new strategic partnership will help Mexican producers and exporters reach new buyers, diversify markets, and accelerate international growth
WAC marks 35 years in the Indonesia market
Marketer still sees significant room for growth for Washington apples in the region
Del Monte celebrates International Pineapple Day
Global pineapple producer, distributor and marketer highlights the fruit’s rise in popularity
Applications open for Global Grower Leaders programme run by IFPA and Hort Innovation
Study tour will take Australian growers to the US and the Global Produce and Floral Show later this year.
New PGI for Michoacán avocados
Michoacán Strip Avocado PGI covers 31 municipalities with a long tradition of growing Hass avocados
Dominican dragon fruit production takes off
Agriculture ministry now working towards access to the US market as plantings grow