The California Fresh Fruit Association has announced the results of the “Top Issues Survey” for 2021. CFFA members were recently surveyed to rank the top issues for the Association to focus its efforts on this year.

“The CFFA membership has provided staff a strong assessment of the issues that the industry will grapple with in 2021," said President Ian LeMay. "As we saw in 2020, the California fresh fruit industry continues to be impacted by increasing regulatory requirements, labor and wage cost increases, and water availability all while continuing to provide the nation and world with

Walmart Inc. announced that the Issa brothers, founders and co-CEOs of EG Group, a global convenience and forecourts retailer headquartered in Blackburn, U.K., and investment funds managed by TDR Capital LLP, a leading U.K.-based private equity firm, have completed the acquisition of Asda, Walmart’s wholly owned U.K. business, for an enterprise value of $8.8 billion, on a debt-free and cash-free basis.

The Issa brothers and TDR Capital have acquired a majority ownership stake in Asda, while Walmart will retain an equity investment in the business, with an ongoing commercial relationship and a

Vanguard International grape harvest and packing seasons are under way in Peru, Chile and South Africa. Peru and Chilean grape demand is particularly strong in Mexico, and increasing in Canada, the U.S., and Asia as California completes their “storage season.” Vanguard is seeing the first arrivals of grapes from their own ranches in Peru into various markets around the world and the results have been very positive season to date. Overall quality and condition have been very well received.

Peruvian Grapes
The Peru grape harvest for traditional red and green grapes will be completed by the

Misionero, a leader in organic salads, prepared lettuces, value-added vegetables, and a pioneer in plant-based salad products, announced a new strategic partnership with Grupo Altex, a leading agricultural company in Mexico.

The newfound partnership will add resources, growing regions and processing capabilities allowing for better distribution for Misionero in the U.S. and Canada and expansion opportunities into Mexico. Created with the customer in mind, the partnership will lead to a product catalog expansion for Misionero's value-added vegetables, salad blends and kits, and hydroponic

CMI Orchards announced that Ambrosia apples are dominating sales in the Southern Region, with strong sales reported throughout the rest of the United States.

According to Nielsen Answers on Demand, over the past 52 weeks of data through Jan. 2, Ambrosia held the top sales position in the Southern region, accounting for 24.7 percent of all branded apple sales. This represents a growth of 4.3 percent for the apple. The Southern region includes Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia and Kentucky.

Amb

A display of large and vibrant Desbry tropical avocados creates excitement and stops shoppers in their tracks. And this bigger fruit means bigger margins and a bigger avocado category, which is why tropical avocados have been gaining traction and distribution with retailers across the country.

Mid-February through mid-March is peak flavor season for tropical avocados from the Dominican Republic. Ample supplies are still available for nationwide distribution from WP Produce, which grows, imports and distributes superior-quality Desbry tropical avocados.

"Tropical avocados are great any time