News

Produce sales up for Q2 2013

For the second quarter this year, fresh produce sales are up compared to last year’s figures. Organic fruits and vegetables lead the pack in growth with strong gains in sales and volume according to FreshFacts on Retail, a quarterly report from the United Fresh Produce Association which tracks retail produce sales and performance.

Fruits and vegetables saw gains in sales, driven by strong increases in retail prices. Fruits posted the strongest growth in sales and retail prices, exceeding 2012 figures by 4.4 percent and 7.8 percent, respectively, but posted a 3.2 percent decline in volume sales.

The FreshFacts on Retail report, produced in partnership with the Nielsen Perishables Group and sponsored by Del Monte Fresh Produce, measures retail price and sales trends for the top 10 fruit and vegetable commodities, as well as value-added, organic and other produce categories.

Highlights of this quarter’s report include:

• Eight of the top 10 fruits posted increases in dollar sales, driven in most cases by increases in retail prices.
• Apples dominated the fruit commodities in dollar growth with an increase of 18.0 percent in sales and 13.7 percent in retail prices, while volume sales increased nearly 4 percent.
• Seven of the top 10 vegetables are up in dollar sales this quarter, buoyed in many cases by increases to retail prices.
• Onions posted the strongest increases among the top 10 vegetables, exceeding last year’s figures by 8.3 percent in sales and 10.4 percent in retail prices, but volume declined 1.9 percent compared to Q2 2012.
• Value-added fruits increased average weekly dollar sales 3.9 percent and value-added vegetables posted dollar gains of up 7.4 percent. Despite the price increase, value-added vegetables posted volume growth near 10 percent.
• Organic fruits and vegetables show strong growth this quarter, with increases in dollar sales of 34.9 percent and 16.2 percent, respectively.

Each FreshFacts report also features a Quarterly Spotlight on an industry segment or notable trend. This quarter, an investigation of product branding within produce departments provides insight into shifts in the number of unbranded, branded and private label products. Recent trends show that the presence of branded products and private labels is growing within produce departments.

The complete FreshFacts on Retail report can be downloaded free of charge for all United Fresh members ($50 for non-members) by going to this link: bit.ly/PGfreshfacts.

For more: www.unitedfresh.org
 

Water woes: Aquifer being tapped out

Nearly 70 percent of the groundwater stored in parts of the United States’ High Plains Aquifer could be used up within 50 years, unless current water use is reduced, a new study finds. The aquifer stretches through eight states, from South Dakota to Texas, and supplies 30 percent of the nation’s irrigated groundwater.

Researchers from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., conducted a four-year study of a portion of the High Plains Aquifer, called the Ogallala Aquifer, which provides the most agriculturally important irrigation in the state of Kansas, and is a key source of drinking water for the region.

If current irrigation trends continue unabated, 69 percent of the available groundwater will be drained in the next five decades, the researchers said in a study published online in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
 

New York eyes juneberry crops

Northern new york is getting on the juneberry super fruit bandwagon. With funding from the farmer-led Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, one of the largest Juneberry research nurseries will be established at the Cornell Willsboro Research Farm in Willsboro, NY.

Juneberry is a blueberry-like fruit noted for its antioxidant and nutritional value. The fruit is rich in iron, calcium, manganese, protein and fiber. Cornell Willsboro Research Farm Manager Michael Davis is excited to see how well juneberries will grow in the Northern New York climate and is participating in a multi-state project evaluating opportunities for the Northeastern U.S. production of the berries.

Juneberry is grown in the western US and Canada as saskatoon berry. In the Eastern U.S. and Canada, it grows in the coastal states stretching from Virginia north to Maine and in Nova Scotia,” Davis said. “The multi-state project team is collecting wild cuttings and seeds in multiple states and Canada for a genomic database and the development of lines suitable for production in the Northeast.”

The plants flower from March into May and produce fruit in June and July. While the plants prefer sandy coastal habitats, it has also been known to grow in New York in woodland and forest openings; pine barrens; dry, open areas; and pond margins. Juneberry is a New York State endangered species with populations on Long Island and Staten Island.

“As a June-July harvest crop, juneberry would produce revenues early in the growing season for producers. Juneberry could prove to be a super fruit not only nutritionally, but economically for Northern New York growers,” Davis said.

The first commercial-scale crop is expected at the Willsboro farm in 2015.
 

Eastern Canadian peat moss production down for 2013

In eastern canada (nb, ns & pei), the peat moss industry is considerably below average in its expected harvest volumes.

A late and interrupted start to the harvest season combined with a wet late summer has significantly restricted the production. In Québec’s North Shore, the production has been at or slightly above expectations. However, due to weather-related harvest challenges the harvest on Québec’s South Shore is below average.

In the Prairie Provinces (MB, SK & AB), Alberta has experienced a below average to well below average harvest level primarily due to adverse weather. However, this may be adjusted slightly due to favorable weather conditions the first part of September. Manitoba and Saskatchewan have experienced varied harvest weather conditions, however, an average level of production has been achieved in these provinces.

Further adjustments to this August 31st release might be made dependent on the ability to harvest in the fall season, particularly in Alberta. Additionally, it should be noted that industry had carryover inventory volumes from the previous harvest season. In Eastern Canada, these volumes will help offset the reduced harvest. In the West the carryover inventory was less. This will have a lesser positive impact on the overall supply.

Members of the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association (CSPMA), who represent 95 percent of the North American peat moss production, are committed to working cooperatively with their commercial business partners to ensure that supply equates demand year-in, year-out.

For more:  www.peatmoss.com
 

Team formed to strengthen pesticide safety education

The weed science society of America announced that the National Stakeholder Team for Pesticide Safety Education Program Funding has created a three-year initiative to enhance the education of pesticide applicators.

The U.S. Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) has faced a variety of funding challenges in recent years, which resulted in the formation of the National Stakeholder Team last fall.  WSSA is a member of this diverse team, which includes representatives from government, extension, industry, professional societies and universities.

“The Team continues to evaluate a broad range of options for strengthening PSEPs throughout the United States,” notes Charles Moses, Co-Lead of the National Stakeholder Team, representing the Association of American Pesticide Control Officials.  “This initiative is one important product of the Team’s work and is now being implemented by a separate Board.”

Goals of the initiative include:

• Establishing a national website for training materials
• Creating more online distance education classes
• Compiling, updating and producing training materials for the national website
• Focusing appropriate time on pesticide safety in certification and recertification classes
• Increasing collaborative efforts among states to fill training material gaps
• Pursuing additional direct and indirect sustainable support for PSEPs at the state level

Initial funding for the initiative has been provided by BASF Corporation, Bayer CropScience, Dow AgroSciences, DuPont Crop Protection and Syngenta, and will be distributed by CropLife Foundation at the direction of the Board.

The Board currently includes representatives from the American Association of Pesticide Safety Educators, the Association of American Pesticide Control Officials, the Association of Structural Pest Control Regulatory Officials, the Cooperative Extension Service, CropLife America, Dow AgroSciences, DuPont Crop Protection, Syngenta, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Pest Management Policy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

For more: www.wssa.net
 

Grocery and fresh produce shows co-locate in Chicago

WASHINGTON – The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh) announced a three-year agreement to co-locate the organizations’ respective trade shows: United Fresh 2014 and FMI Connect, the Global Food Retail Experience. Registration is open now for the June 10-13, 2014 events in Chicago.

“Our partnership with United Fresh brings a vine-ripe vibrancy and fresh-picked energy to FMI Connect’s focus on the total store experience,” said Leslie G. Sarasin, FMI’s president and CEO. “Forward-looking research affirms what we are seeing at store level – food retail customers are seeking to increase their knowledge and use of fresh products, making the produce sections critical points of differentiation among food retailers.”

Forty-one percent of FMI’s 2013 U.S. Grocery Retail Trends consumer respondents ranked better quality and variety of fresh foods, inclusive of produce, as the third-most influential factor behind price and selection for choosing a primary store, a supermarket that may not be the closest in proximity to the shopper’s home. Sarasin noted, “United Fresh and FMI’s seasoned collaboration strengthens our ability to provide event-goers with solutions to growing basket size; increasing customer trips; improving margins; and increasing market share.”

“Today, there’s no question that fresh produce is a key differentiator for retailers in every channel,” said United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel. “With consumers increasingly looking for fresh produce for snacks, in ready-to-eat meals, and every cooking occasion, United Fresh 2014 will be a must-attend forum for retailers large and small who want to seize the produce opportunity for growth.”

Ron Midyett, United Fresh chairman and president and CEO of Apio, said, “The United Board of Directors sees a great opportunity with this long-term partnership to build a top-to-top management focus for produce suppliers and their customers. Together, we can bring fresh food solutions and innovations to our customers that can significantly grow the total business.”