With summer getting ready to kick off, McDaniel Fruit Co., based in Fallbrook, CA, was getting ready to receive its first load of Peruvian avocados, which are an important element of the company’s conventional and organic summer avocado program.

Company President Rankin McDaniel Sr. told The Produce News that the Peruvian supplies are very much needed, especially on the organic side. He noted that organic avocado shipments from both California and Mexico typically start to wane as the summer wears on with Peru’s production giving the category a boost.

He noted that organic demand currently

The produce industry is in unprecedented times as the COVID-19 pandemic creates challenges that no one has ever dealt with before. That’s why everything Sunny Valley International is doing right now is in support of its retailer partners and other customers.

“We recognize that COVID-19 has created unprecedented supply chain disruptions and have resulted in shifts in consumer purchasing preferences,” said Tom Beaver, director of sales for the Glassboro, NJ-based company. “With this in mind, as we look ahead to the Jersey peach and blueberry deals, our focus is on making advanced volume

The New Zealand apple crop has landed, and retailers and shoppers should expect fresh, large and exceptionally flavorful apples to hit stores in June, enabling high-quality, year-round apple programs from T&G Global.

T&G’s New Zealand apple volumes are up compared to last year, with Jazz and Envy driving the program, rounded out by Royal Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, Granny Smith, Pacific Rose and Pink Lady apples and Taylor’s Gold pears. A smooth growing season — and little rain during the harvest period, which allowed picking to occur during optimal maturity windows — has produced robust quality