North America
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from North America.
Biotalys and AgroFresh partner to protect fresh produce
Companies to jointly develop biological solutions to reduce food waste
South African eyes are focused on Washington
Uncertainty remains as South African citrus growers gear up for conventional shipments to the US
Dominican Republic loses market share in avocados
National Avocado Cluster calls on government to implement a comprehensive plan to foster the sustainable growth of the industry
Dayka & Hackett expands table grape portfolio
Company announces partnership with Mexican grower-exporter Uvex
Michigan’s 2025 asparagus season is underway
Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board plots marketing campaign and crop quality remains high
Salix Fruits launches 2025 summer citrus programme
CEO Alejandro Moralejo shares growth expectations and global supply insights
Del Monte and IFPA announce supply chain partnership
Fresh produce giant and the IFPA are collaborating as they strive to advance industry-wide supply chain transformation
IFPA opens Global Produce & Floral Show registrations
This year’s event takes place on 16-18 October in Anaheim, California
Giumarra opens new office in Scottsdale, Arizona
Office will support the company’s continued growth and operational efficiency
Village Farms sells majority stake in produce business to Vanguard Food
Company’s continued expansion in cannabis cited as reason for decision to put greenhouse crop division into separate ownership
Driscoll’s ‘confident’ it can overturn CBC court ruling
Company launches appeal against decision in favour of California Berry Cultivars, which it says infringed its strawberry variety patents
Hass Avocado Board partners with dieticians on education campaign
HAB releases a series of avocado-centred recipes, highlighting the health benefits of the versatile fruit
Sun World debuts Ruby Rush as it ushers in early grape season
The early-season red seedless grape is “proving its value to growers” and is now cultivated in ten countries, with production expanding
Boxing clever: art of vertical farming enters cubist phase
A new production centre on the outskirts of Phoenix, Arizona, combines advanced indoor farming with futuristic warehouse distribution technology
BeeHero launches HeroLink
Unit enables scalable, sustainable, high-fidelity data collection across even remote commercial farmland
Chiquita suspends part of its production in Panama due to strike
Company has been unable to export more than 900,000 boxes of bananas due to the strike
Biome Makers teams up with AgList to boost trust in ag biologicals
Products listed on AgList will now feature a Biome Makers badge when they have been tested using its patented BeCrop Trials solution
Climate change will decimate banana production in Latin America and Caribbean, says report
Christian Aid report suggests almost two-thirds of areas’ banana regions will no longer be able to support the fruit’s production
Dole “pleased” with Q1 performance
Like-for-like revenue climbs in the first quarter, with Carl McCann announcing an upward revision of the group’s full-year guidance
Del Monte to take action against illegal production of pink pineapple
Move follows reports in Nicaraguan media that the variety has been successfully grown in the country
Black market for Cosmic Crisp raises concern in the US
Variety hailed as the saviour of Washington state’s apple industry reportedly being propagated without permission
South African citrus executive lifts the veil on tariff issues
South African government and growers can come together to overcome imminent challenges, says the CGA’s Boitshoko Ntshabele
IFPA “encouraged” by US-UK trade agreement
Association urges officials to address non-tariff barriers that limit the movement of fresh products
Sollum study offers cucumber lighting insight
Delphy collaboration explores how far-red modulation and short morning blue light can optimise cucumber growth, physiological balance, and energy efficiency
Four Frutura companies achieve B Corp certification
CEO David Krause said the certification process has “made Frutura a better company”
Chiquita Panama warns of irreversible losses due to strike
Company calls on employees to return to work to protect the fruit and ensure its proper harvest, packaging, and export
Autumncrisp gains ground in Southern Africa
It has been another year of progress for the Autumncrisp grape variety in South Africa
Chestnut Hill Farms announces passing of William Sheridan
Former Chiquita and Del Monte industry veteran of 40 years has died, the company has announced
Apeam exports more than 96,000 tonnes of avos to US for Cinco de Mayo
The celebration represents one of the peak avocado consumption seasons in the US, along with the Super Bowl.
Mission Produce adds Michael Sims to board
Addition of seasoned financial executive increases size of board to nine directors
Altar Produce expands speciality vegetable programme
Company is ramping up production of spring onions, Brussels sprouts and broccoli to meet growing demand
USAID cuts a “threat” to small farmers in developing world
The consequences of the termination of USAID-funded technical assistance programmes are hard to predict for the global fruit and vegetables business, but small producers are likely to be the first to feel an impact
Dole successfully closes refinancing of credit facilities
US$1.2bn refinancing will extend the maturity of outstanding debt at favourable interest rates, the group says
Comment: Who profits from proprietary produce?
Horticultural IP lawyer Darron Saltzman argues there could be a fairer way to structure variety licensing agreements
Sunkist spotlights California grapefruit
Group says its grapefruit combo bag is ”tailor-made for summer’s big moments”
US tariffs tear into container shipping firm’s profit margin
Ocean Network Express predicts 75 per cent reduction in full-year profit for 2025/26 as a result of protectionist measures