North America
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from North America.
GWF appoints Danitza Sánchez as president of its European chapter
Sánchez will lead the expansion of GWF initiatives throughout Europe
Big Four unite to ‘re-energise’ North American banana category
Association aims to revive consumer excitement, tackle industry threats, and tell clearer story about true value of world’s most-eaten fruit
Australian fresh produce industry’s Wiggles campaign takes out global marketing award
Award recognises programs that “galvanise industry to work together through partnership to effect meaningful change
Video: How will AI shape the future of fresh produce?
AI is transforming how fruit and vegetables are bred, grown, distributed and marketed. But where will the technology have the greatest potential impact?
Orsero Group considers expansion into North America
Italian company eyes potential investments in the US, according to executives speaking at stock exchange event in Milan
Biotalys wins regulatory approval for Evoca biofungicide
US registration of Evoca marks a significant milestone, according to Biotalys, as it is the first protein-based biofungicide of its kind to be approved by the EPA
Pacific Northwest pear crop up 78 per cent as harvest winds down
Pear producers lean into nutrition education to promote sizeable harvest
Video: How to connect with Gen Z
Chris White speaks to a number of leading fresh produce brand marketers to learn about the marketing strategies they believe will resonate with younger consumers
Fall Creek appoints Robert Reiter to board
Former Bayer Crop Science R&D head brings more than 30 years’ experience in plant breeding and biotechnology to support blueberry specialist’s innovation strategy
Sunkist evokes California Navel holiday nostalgia
Sunkist Growers is reintroducing its limited-edition holiday-themed Navel orange carton and quarter bin, capitalising on seasonal demand
Mission Produce seen as ripe for investment
Company’s impressive performance in avocados, as well as its expansion into mangoes and blueberries, gives leading analyst cause for confidence
MSC ramps up Valencia to Canada service for the Spanish citrus season
Weekly departures from Valencia and the Sines will call at the Canadian ports of Halifax and Montreal
US avocado market poised to surpass 3bn lbs for first time ever
HAB said the milestone reflects unprecedented demand and industry collaboration
Frutas de Chile welcomes USDA’s appeal of Systems Approach ban
The recent ruling suspended US imports of Chilean grapes without need for fumigation
Australian fresh produce industry’s Wiggles campaign hits New York
IFPA managing director A-NZ Belinda Wilson and Dorothy the Dinosaur will take the stage at the New York Produce Show and Conference
New plantings help Mexico’s blueberry exports recover
Country is expected to ship more of the fruit overseas this season, although volumes remain below their 2022/23 peak
Uber Eats to deliver meals by robot in two UK cities
Partnership with Starship will see AI robot deliveries in Sheffield and Leeds begin this winter, with a European and US rollout set to follow
Strong start for South African table grapes
Table grape industry targets close to 80mn export cartons this season despite US tariff challenge and increased competition in Europe
Oppy inducted into Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame
The Canada-based fresh produce group has earned the national recognition for the fourth time, having previously won in 2016, 2019 and 2022
Kuehne+Nagel subsidiary to buy Latin American logistics group
Apex Logistics’ planned acquisition of Andes Integración Logistica opens major new revenue stream in region’s fruit export business
California Avocado Commission calls for quotas for Mexican imports
It argues the measure is necessary for US food security and the sustainability of national production
Mission Produce appoints Douglas Stone to board of directors
Avocado specialist Mission Produce has appointed former JR Simplot agribusiness president Douglas Stone as an independent class I director, bringing decades of agribusiness leadership experience to the company’s board.
WCO forecasts slight increase in Northern Hemisphere citrus production
Egypt bucks trend with double-digit growth as output in most major producing countries contracts
Asiafruit Thailand edition out now
Thailand’s challenging year, Fresh Focus Cherry plus category spotlights on apples and pears, citrus, grapes and more
US government sets aside $30mn to buy surplus citrus
Financial assistance to support farmers and ensure surplus crops reach Americans in need rather than going to waste
Asia Fruit Logistica on track for record-breaking 2026 edition
Exhibitor registration opens early for Asia’s premier fresh produce trade show, with bookings already up 23 per cent on same period last year
Oppy shows progress in third annual sustainability report
‘Expect the World From Us’ showcases advances in emissions reduction, water use, food waste management, sustainable packaging and community support
IMG Citrus completes packhouse consolidation
Citrus grower-importer-packer moves all packing and distribution to Sweet Sixty facility following US$3mn upgrade
IFPA welcomes Trump’s removal of Brazilian fruit tariffs
The International Fresh Produce Association has welcomed the Trump administration’s decision to eliminate tariffs on Brazilian agricultural imports, including tropical fruits, saying the move will help maintain affordability for American consumers
Syngenta clarifies ToBRFV resistance definitions
Syngenta has moved to clarify how high resistance and intermediate resistance levels are scientifically defined in the ongoing battle against Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus, highlighting the lack of standardised legal criteria across the industry
Chiquita “on schedule” with resumption of operations in Panama
Full production should resume by the end of 2026, the multinational’s president said
Is the divide in the tomato market destined to widen?
Faced with new challenges, some foresee the increasing commoditisation of fresh tomatoes, despite continued success for premium varieties
Maersk selects Charlotte as official North America headquarters
Logistics giant AP Moller-Maersk has chosen Charlotte as its official North America headquarters, committing to add more than 500 jobs to bring its local workforce to over 1,300 employees
University of Minnesota launches grower-focused fruit licensing model
The University of Minnesota has launched Superior Fruit Innovations, a new licensing model designed to bring premium apple and grape varieties to direct-market growers of all sizes for the first time
Oppy opens expanded Calgary facility to boost Prairie operations
Canadian fresh produce group Oppy has opened a significantly expanded office and warehouse facility in south Calgary, 50 per cent larger than its previous location, to strengthen its service capabilities across the Prairies
South African table grape industry responds to US tariff adjustments
The South African Table Grape Industry has welcomed recent US tariff reductions on agricultural products but expressed disappointment that table grapes and other key fruit exports were excluded from the exemptions