North America
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from North America.
Orsero posts record Q2 sales as US expansion gathers pace
Italian fresh produce group reports record second-quarter distribution sales as investment in Trucco strengthens its position in the North American market
Higher costs push Honduran banana growers to the brink
Growers “overwhelmed” at having to shoulder increased production costs as exports stall
Zero tariff on California prunes continues to offer opportunities in UK
Industry board highlight prune potential to help UK retailers respond to consumer demand for value, convenience and health credentials
Farmers grow more cautious but remain open to proven innovation
McKinsey & Company’s Global Farmer Insights 2026 survey looks at current and future trends in agriculture
Sun World marks 50 years with tributes to David Marguleas
Group marked half a century in business at its annual Symposium and Field Days, honouring long-serving David Marguleas in the process
Anti-dumping tariffs cause consternation amongst Mexican strawberry growers
Aneberries and CABC concerned about impact on producers after USDC set margins ranging from 3.37-5.28 per cent on Mexican exports
Mission Produce revenue surges 26 per cent in Q3
Mission Produce’s fiscal third-quarter results show revenue climbing, but Calavo integration costs weigh on quarterly profitability
Tosca releases Asset IQ traceability solution as standalone service
System combines IoT-enabled tracking with RFID and barcode technologies to track, trace and monitor reusable units
Asia Fruit Logistica forum explores bright future for frozen fruit
Increased use of frozen fruit as an ingredient expected to represent next phase of sector’s growth in Asia Pacific region
Exclusive: What’s up with Driscoll’s, the world’s biggest berry brand?
Global CMO Jiunn Shih discusses leadership changes, legal challenges, and the way ahead for a company in the eye of a storm
Sensitech launches real-time global cold chain monitoring solution
New TempTale GEO APX Global device transmits continuous condition and location data to Sensitech’s SensiWatch Platform
Comment: Fresh produce is hugely important and woefully undervalued
New technologies could transform fruit and veg supply, but the business must overcome its damaging perception problem
Germany leads EU charge for Spanish fresh produce exports
Data from Fepex shows Spain’s fresh produce export value climbed to €11.6bn in H1 2026, with Germany, France, and the UK the country’s top customers
Sekoya looks to extend premium blueberry supply across China
From low chill to high chill, Sekoya sees potential to serve more of China’s domestic blueberry season
IFPA mourns passing of team member Joe Watson
Industry body has paid tribute to Joe Watson, its vice-president of retail, foodservice and wholesale, describing him as beloved by the fresh produce community
Chiquita and TA Dedicated mark 20-year logistics partnership
Over the past two decades the logistics provider has managed US port-to-retailer transportation, cold chain operations and reverse logistics for Chiquita
Sunkist and Vidafresh unite to boost UK citrus presence
The strategic alliance will relaunch premium Sunkist-branded citrus across the UK market, laying the groundwork for broader European distribution
US apple export trend underlines importance of Canada and Mexico
Industry’s dependence on two closest neighbours comes into sharp focus as USApple’s new-season forecast is unveiled
Brie Reiter Smith succeeds Soren Bjorn as Driscoll’s CEO
Driscoll’s has appointed board vice-chair Smith as its new CEO, with Bjorn set to support the transition and offer strategic guidance
Sun World unveils two new table grape brands
Company says Summer Blush and Flavorcrush will fill gaps in terms of both novelty and availability for consumers
Natural Delights enters strong 2026/27 Medjool date crop
Leading US Medjool date brand has been investing in the category and will employ an expanded marketing programme this season
Limoneira sells Paso Robles vineyard for US$15mn
Proceeds of all-cash sale have been earmarked for debt reduction and avocado acreage expansion
Driscoll’s first chief communications officer Frances Dillard departs
Executive played pivotal role in transforming Driscoll’s from North American berry business into widely recognised global brand
US blueberry industry votes to continue USHBC work
The US Highbush Blueberry Council has secured its future after producers and importers voted in favour of continuing the marketing body
Eosta expands organic rain-grown avocado imports from Mexico
Eosta is expanding its Organic Raingrown programme with new avocado volumes from Avova and a second season of high-juice Peruvian oranges
Panama Canal cuts shipping due to El Niño-fuelled drought
Move will impact fruit shipments from the Pacific Coast of South America to US East Coast
Asia Fruit Logistica 2026 exhibitor preview: Americas
Across North and South America, producers are eyeing up opportunities to sell their fresh produce and services into the Asian markets, with new varieties and technologies set to be in the spotlight in Hong Kong
Mexican strawberries face US antidumping probe
Group of Florida growers claim unfair pricing is harming American companies and workers
AGOA extension offers little relief for South African fruit exporters
Industry leaders in South Africa say the extended AGOA trade agreement offers limited practical advantage while punishing US tariffs remain in place
US growers feel the squeeze from rising imports
AFBF study says imports are increasingly filling the gap left by shrinking local production in the face of mounting economic pressures
Pinnacle Fresh launches Citrus Moon
Following the success of its Dracula Citrus brand, the Australian citrus marketer will enter China and Taiwan this season with a new brand
Asia Fruit Logistica edition of Asiafruit out now
Special edition offers a full Asia Fruit Logistica breakdown including extensive exhibitor preview, Asiafruit Knowledge Centre programme overview and pre-show highlights
IFPA announces board of directors for 2027
Elyse Lipman of Lipman Family Farms will lead the IFPA board of directors in 2027, joined by a new executive committee
Tibutes paid to Peter Kopke Sr, pioneer of counter-seasonal imports
The US company founded by his father remembers the leader who built trade relationships across four continents
CMI Orchards apple season launches with production growth
A strong crop set to support CMI’s consumer marketing programmes
Oppy extends Happy Berry brand to premium blueberries
North American fresh produce group Oppy is extending its consumer-facing Happy Berry brand into blueberries for the first time