News
Cinco De Mayo Mango Merchandising
An Interview with Brian Dey Senior Merchandiser & Natural Stores Coordinator, Four Seasons Produce, Inc. While it’s true that Cinco De Mayo is less a real holiday in Mexico and more a symbolic celebratory event for Americans, there is a significant rich history behind the day and how it has come to honor the Mexican…
Continue ReadingMangonomics
Less juice in the current squeeze — a timely reminder about fruit and finance In my many years working for global farmers—with the twofold aim of generating real income to build sustainable systems of selling and pleasing consumers with flavor-filled offerings—I’ve heard a lot about the value of the dollar. As a global traveler, I’ve…
Continue ReadingUSDA Reduce Turnos y Horas
La Rama Mexicana de USDA Ahora Cae Bajo la Jurisdicción de la Embajada de EE.UU (This is an update from Thursdays breaking news.) La sucursal de USDA en México que maneja las certificaciones APHIS – como el tratamiento hidrotérmico requerido para los mangos – ha recibido un cambio estructural significativo. Ahora, de repente, operando bajo…
Continue ReadingUpdate: USDA Shifts & Hours Reduction
Mexican USDA inspector branch now falls under U.S. Embassy oversight (This is an update from Thursdays breaking news.) The USDA branch in Mexico, which manages APHIS certifications like the hot water treatment required for mangoes, has recently undergone a significant structural shift. Now, suddenly, operating under the authority of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, the…
Continue ReadingUSDA Inspectors Reduced
We “dodged” tariffs, but not cuts…. There’s always breaking news in produce—it’s just part of the gig. But lately, the whiplash feels extra brutal. One minute we’re dodging tariffs (pun 100% intended), the next we’re taking hits in unexpected places—like this weeks news of USDA inspector staffing cuts. Produce people are wired for high-stakes hustle.…
Continue Reading{Mango} Hunger Games
Organic Mango Crop Report: markets, mayhem and hopefully some resistance This crop report follows the same theme as the last—confusion. But it also serves as a reminder of how quickly confusion spirals into mayhem and short-sighted, conventional-style thinking. That knee-jerk reaction is the most common response in this debacle we call the current state of…
Continue ReadingCrop Report = Mango Confusion
Sometimes a report lacking information tells all I’ve reported countless times over the past many years about how climate change has made everything wildly unpredictable. So, am I surprised by how erratic and confusing things are in the orchards right now? Not at all. I often use the word unravel when it comes to my…
Continue ReadingThe Blooming North!
A mango tree’s flowers signal potential for #MuchosMangoes Flowers have been on my mind this week, thanks to the flourishing displays at my local farmers market here in Northern California. I picked up tulips and peonies—flowers just make me happy. The same kind of happiness a mango orchard in full bloom brings, which is happening…
Continue ReadingTariffs & The Cashflow Conundrum
Unraveling some of the more important details in the chaos I woke up this morning expecting every produce publication to have in-depth analysis on the chaos that unfolded at the border yesterday. The real, nitty-gritty details. Hoping to hear more than just the usual “things will be more expensive” chatter. I think all of us…
Continue ReadingMango Market Bumps Ahead
Mexican mango demand surge begins amidst constricted supplies, price hikes loom We’re accustomed to bumpy starts to the Mexican mango season on the organic side, as organic Peruvian volumes tend to disappear much faster than conventional mangoes. The arrival of Ataulfo mangoes from Mexico is always met with excitement during this period of scarcity. Given…
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