North America

Fresh produce industry news and analysis from North America.

Fresh Del Monte appoints Mark Gagnon as sales vice president for southern US
Fresh Del Monte Produce has appointed Mark Gagnon as vice president of sales for its southern region, bringing over 30 years of industry experience to help accelerate growth across the southern United States
Grapes boost muscle strength in postmenopausal women, study finds
Regular consumption of grapes can significantly improve muscle strength and potentially boost irisin levels in postmenopausal women, according to groundbreaking clinical research from the University of California, Davis
US Apple Association applauds new agricultural funding bill
Association welcomes signing of Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, highlighting increased funding for speciality crop programmes and beneficial tax provisions for growers
South African citrus industry under threat from US tariffs
South Africa’s agriculture minister has warned that the country’s citrus industry faces severe challenges from impending US tariffs, potentially undermining job creation and economic growth in rural communities
Blueberries add billions to US economy
IFPA gains UN environmental accreditation to strengthen industry voice
The International Fresh Produce Association has received accreditation status from the United Nations Environment Programme, enhancing its ability to represent the fresh produce and floral industry in global environmental forums
Greenyard USA/Seald Sweet names Andrea Montagna as co-CEO
Florida-based fresh produce supplier introduces new leadership structure as part of long-term succession plan and growth strategy.
Trump tariffs will hit South African fruit exports hard
South African fresh produce exporters are bracing for a major blow as the US imposes 30 per cent tariffs from 1 August, potentially derailing established trade programs and threatening rural employment
Mexican mango producers look beyond the US amid tariff threats
On-off US tariff questions have created a wave of uncertainty for Mexico’s exporters, and this is undoubtedly true for the mango sector

Wimbledon confirms no ban on avocados amid sustainability debate
The All England Tennis Club has confirmed that avocados remain available at Wimbledon, countering rumours of a ban following sustainability concerns raised in UK media.
Equifruit socks it to low banana prices
At the Organic Produce Summit in the US, Equifruit aims to show how affordable it is to switch to Fairtrade-certified bananas, comparing the cost of the annual premium to that of a single sock
Del Monte Foods files for bankruptcy and puts itself up for sale
The major US-based supplier of canned fruit products has entered voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings as part of what it describes as a ‘value-maximising’ sale process
Australian cherry leaders attend US study tour
Group visit key cherry-growing regions including Wenatchee, Quincy, Mattawa and Prosser
T&G Global partners with Sandher for Canadian cherry exports
New Zealand-based T&G Global has established a strategic partnership with Canadian cherry grower Sandher Fruit Packers, taking over sales and marketing responsibilities in a move set to significantly expand Canadian cherry exports to Asian markets
Guatemala Produce Trade Association celebrates 10th anniversary
Association plays vital role in promoting Guatemalan fruits and vegetables in the US
Apeam begins delivery of 690,000 pine plants in Michoacán and Jalisco
Move is part of the association’s forest conservation programme
Mission Produce appoints Laura Flanagan to board of directors
Flanagan brings over 25 years of experience in the food and beverage industry
Ozone: a cleaner, smarter future for fresh produce
In June, MAF Industries hosted Open Days in Wenatchee and California, to give producers rethinking their treatment of water the chance to see ozone in action, says MAF’s Camilla Khrulova

One Banana receives prestigious Walmart Trust Award
Family-owned banana supplier One Banana has been recognised with a prestigious Walmart Trust Award, highlighting the company’s excellence in sustainable production and food safety innovation
Tense times in Cape citrus groves as US tariff pause counts down
South African citrus exporters are facing a critical week as the 90-day pause on new 30 per cent US tariffs expires on 9 July, potentially hitting the Cape citrus industry at the height of its export season.
Kwik Lok joins IFPA’s Supply Chain of the Future initiative
Bag closing solution specialist Kwik Lok has become an executive sponsor of IFPA’s Harmonized Standards & Smart Data Escrow Steering Committee, signalling a commitment to modernising packaging’s role in supply chain transparency
Global avocado market surpasses US$20bn
New RaboResearch report shows new acreage and more diversified supply base is driving export growth
Arra Cherry Crush continues to gain ground and open new markets
Volumes are building in Brazil, while 2025 marked the first commercial shipments from India
Del Monte celebrates pineapple’s rise ‘from commodity to cultural icon’
Fresh Del Monte Produce is celebrating International Pineapple Day on 27 June by highlighting the fruit’s transformation from a simple canned commodity to a beloved pop-culture staple, with consumption in the US soaring from less than one pound per person annually in the 1970s to over 8.3 pounds today
Chiquita urged to condemn arrest of Panama union leaders
US-based organisation Global Labor Justice has called on Chiquita to condemn the arrests of two Sitraibana union leaders following a six-week strike that halted Panama’s banana industry.
Co-op to halt sourcing relationships with countries violating international law
UK retailer Co-op Group has announced a new sourcing policy that will prohibit products from 17 countries identified as having community-wide human rights abuses, with implementation beginning June 2025
Clarifresh joins IFPA’s Shelf-Life Steering Committee
Quality management solutions specialist backs predictive freshness and smarter supply chains

Three key trends reshaping cold chain management for fresh produce
As the global direct-to-consumer food market heads toward US$195bn by 2031, three major technological developments are transforming cold chain management for fresh produce delivery
Equifruit speaks out against gender-based violence in banana industry
Company becomes founding signatory of Silence Does Not Protect campaign
John Anderson receives honorary doctorate from University of the Fraser Valley
Oppy chief executive is recognised by the university for his contributions as a global agricultural leader
The Foundation for Fresh Produce appoints first chief medical officer
Dr Jelena Gligorijević takes up new role, underscoring the need for fruits and vegetables in combatting global epidemic of chronic disease and promoting health
Panama arrests banana union leader after Chiquita strike ends
Francisco Smith, leader of Sitraibana, faces charges for orchestrating roadblocks in Bocas del Toro
Tosca launches webinar series on new packaging laws
Expert series guides businesses through EU and UK regulatory changes
Chiquita launches ‘Likely the Best Snack Ever’ campaign
Campaign aims to position Chiquita bananas as the go-to snacking choice
US-South Africa chicken deal agreed – could fruit be next?
It has been another critical week for South African trade negotiations with US, with Donald Trump and Cyril Ramaphosa meeting at the G-7 summit in Canada
US fruit gains greater access in Thailand
Citrus and apple growers will be able to sell more products with trade breakthroughs

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