Supply chain woes are making headlines once again. The continuing high truck rates and the lack of available drivers, along with winter weather, consumer stockpiling, and the spike in virus rates caused by the Omicron variant, are all being cited as contributing factors in empty store shelves being seen across the country. In addition, port backlogs are at an all-time high, with a record 105 ships reported to be awaiting berthing spots for unloading at Southern California ports and a total of 146 ships waiting outside all major U.S. ports, according to the USDA.

Mexican blueberry crossings

Southern Specialties, a top tier grower, importer, processor and shipper of asparagus from Peru, expanded its Caborca, Mexico, asparagus deal.

The company initiated a presence in the Mexico asparagus deal eight years ago with the intention of bringing additional year-round value to its retail, foodservice and club store customers.

“Our investments in Mexico have enhanced our asparagus program and enabled us to solidify relationships with many of our customers,” said Carlos Solf, director of procurement for Southern Specialties. “We have partnered with the best growers and worked hard to grow

Global fruit production has not only persevered in the face of a worldwide health crisis, but it has also continued to adapt in response to the evolving landscape. A fast-paced industry already familiar with navigating unpredictable conditions and forecasting market demand, the agricultural sector never slowed down, even in the worst times of the pandemic.

However, that’s not to say the journey was without any roadblocks: COVID-19 brought a wave of challenges with everything from labor to logistics. Yet, as consumer interest in fresh produce increased by more than 10 percent in 2020, fruit

The continuing cold spell in California and Arizona is causing a reduction in available cauliflower and broccoli. The slowdown has prices rising, which is expected to last for the next two weeks. Markon Cooperative said overall quality is good. 

Right now, the broccoli supplies are adequate, but they are expected to tighten over the next two weeks as additional demand shifts from Arizona and California to south Texas. The south Texas broccoli quality remains good, as demand is moderate but expected to pick up as West Coast broccoli stock become tighter.

The USDA reports that wholesale

In the fifth annual dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index, a comprehensive, nationwide study that examines the approximately $1 trillion U.S. grocery market, Amazon cemented its leadership position. H-E-B followed in second place and Market Basket leapfrogged three retailers to take the third spot away from Trader Joe’s. Wegmans held onto the fourth spot for a second year in a row.

“The pandemic has massively accelerated changes in how customers buy their groceries, and their behaviors are continuing to evolve,” said Grant Steadman, president of North America for dunnhumby. “2021 was the year

King Soopers employees in the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 7, which represents approximately 17,000 grocery workers, declined to accept what King Soopers’/Kroger described as its last, best and final offer, voting by 95 percent to strike. The retailer called the union's decision reckless and self-serving, without regard for the implications to associates and Coloradans.

"Local 7 is putting politics before people and preventing us from putting more money in our associates' pockets," said Joe Kelley, president of King Soopers and City Market.

The union said the strike comes on the