🌱 Mexican tariffs and produce prices

🌱 Good afternoon, and welcome to today's fresh newsletter! 

In today's email:

• Sun Pacific Unveils 'Peel the Love' Campaign

• Hurricane Helene Devastates Georgia’s Agricultural Sector

• Fresh Picks: Our Handpicked Produce Content from the Web

• Proposed Tariffs on Mexican Imports Could Drive Up U.S. Grocery Prices

• Apeel: Battling Global Food Waste with an Invisible Protective Shield

• Tip of the Day: Leverage Augmented Reality (AR) for Immersive Consumer Engagement

MANDARIN

Sun Pacific Unveils 'Peel the Love' Campaign to Highlight Cuties

Sun Pacific, the maker of Cuties® Mandarins, launched the "Peel the Love" campaign to highlight its brand promise: "Grown with Love for those you Love."

The initiative focuses on the joy and simplicity Cuties bring to daily life, targeting key seasonal moments.

Festive stickers, digital ads, social media efforts, influencer partnerships, in-store displays, and a loyalty program drive engagement and repeat purchases.

Marketing Director Sarah Deaton emphasizes Cuties' appeal as a healthy, convenient snack for busy lifestyles, ideal for families and individuals.

The campaign encourages retailers to create prominent displays, supported by contests, to increase visibility. Cuties outperform competitors with 39% higher weekly sales and strong repeat purchase rates.

By aligning with consumer needs through strategic branding and advertising, Sun Pacific aims to solidify Cuties' market dominance while celebrating the small joys of everyday life.

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US AGRICULTURE

Hurricane Helene Devastates Georgia’s Agricultural Sector

Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage in Georgia, with over $5.5 billion in estimated losses to agriculture and timber.

Striking in late September, it was the deadliest U.S. hurricane since Katrina, claiming 34 lives and damaging over 200,000 homes.

Preliminary analyses highlight severe losses in cotton, vegetables, and nursery plants, with 33% of cotton and 30% of fall vegetables destroyed. Poultry farms also suffered significant livestock losses, further straining the economy.

Timber production, another key sector, was devastated, with over 8 million acres affected and $1.28 billion in damages. This destruction impacts long-term environmental and economic stability.

Relief efforts include the Weathered But Strong: Georgia Hurricane Relief Fund, which has raised over $1 million, and $100 million redirected from state capital projects.

Governor Brian Kemp has appealed to Congress for federal aid, emphasizing agriculture's critical role in Georgia's economy. The full extent of the devastation remains unclear as recovery continues.

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🥔 North Carolina Sweetpotato industry projects lower yields for rest of season | North Carolina's sweet potato yields are down 20-30%, but the industry is driving year-round sales through sustainability and innovative marketing to maintain its leadership. (ProduceBlueBook.com | Dec 2, 2024)

☀️ Study Reviews Solar Energy Applications in Agriculture | A study of solar energy in protected agriculture highlights advancements in hybrid systems, climate control technologies, and energy efficiency in greenhouses, emphasizing future needs for energy storage, desalination, and international collaboration. (VerticalFarmDaily.com | Nov 29, 2024)

🌱 Global Market Overview: Papayas | Brazil's papaya exports are set to grow 15% in 2024, with steady demand in Germany and the Netherlands, rising prices in South Africa, oversupply in Italy, full production in Spain's Canary Islands, and Ethiopia promoting cultivation to boost local and export markets. (FreshPlaza.com | Nov 29, 2024)

🥔 Cavendish Farms Plans Nearly $150 Million Expansion for Jamestown Potato Plant | Cavendish Farms plans a $150 million expansion at its Jamestown, ND potato plant, including a $100 million fryer replacement and building expansion, a $15 million packaging upgrade, and a $30 million wastewater treatment facility. (JamestownSun.com | Nov 29, 2024)

🏷️ Positive Feedback for Sinclair’s Compostable Label | Sinclair’s new T55 certified compostable fruit labels, launched with Zespri, offer a sustainable alternative to plastic, meeting global composting standards by biodegrading into usable compost without harming the environment. (Fruitnet.com | Nov 28, 2024)

🗽 Produce to Take Center Stage in The Big Apple | The New York Produce Show returns December 10–12, bringing over 4,000 attendees and 400 exhibitors to celebrate fresh produce, industry connections, and seasonal festivities in the iconic holiday setting of New York City. (ThePacker.com | Nov 27, 2024)

MARKET

Proposed Tariffs on Mexican Imports Could Drive Up U.S. Grocery Prices

President-elect Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariff on Mexican imports could sharply raise prices for U.S. consumers, particularly on groceries like tomatoes, avocados, berries, and bell peppers, of which Mexico is a major supplier.

Mexico accounts for 69% of U.S. vegetable imports and over half of fresh fruit imports, making its role critical in the U.S. food supply chain.

Additionally, beer imports from Mexico, including popular brands like Modelo and Corona, would also be affected.

Economists warn that U.S. importers would likely pass increased costs to consumers, contributing to inflation. Goldman Sachs estimates the tariffs could raise inflation by nearly 1%.

Retailers such as Walmart have acknowledged the potential for higher prices despite efforts to remain affordable.

The proposal underscores Mexico’s importance to U.S. agriculture, bolstered by lower labor costs and year-round growing seasons.

While some see the tariffs as a negotiating tactic, their implementation could disrupt trade, strain household budgets, and reshape economic dynamics.

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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

Apeel: Battling Global Food Waste with an Invisible Protective Shield

Apeel has emerged as a pioneering company addressing one of the most critical challenges in global food systems: food waste.

Founded on a mission to extend the life of fresh produce and reduce global food insecurity, the California-based company has developed a unique plant-based technology that is transforming how fruits and vegetables are preserved and distributed.

Apeel Sciences was established with a clear and ambitious vision: to develop sustainable solutions that could extend the quality and life of fresh produce while making it more accessible to consumers worldwide.

The company's approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the global food waste problem.

Nearly 800 million people go to bed hungry each night, while simultaneously, one-third of food produced is lost or thrown away before it can be consumed.

This stark contradiction drives Apeel's core mission of eradicating food insecurity and supporting environmental sustainability.

The coating, composed of mono- and diglycerides extracted from plant oils, creates an additional protective layer that helps retain moisture and reduce oxidation in produce.

Apeel's technology can potentially double or triple the shelf life of fruits and vegetables

The integrity of Apeel's claims has been rigorously verified by independent fact-checking organizations, which have systematically debunked misinformation circulating on social media.

Reuters conducted an investigation, meticulously examining the scientific basis of claims about Apeel's product safety.

The fact-checking report detailed the company's ingredients, confirming that the mono- and diglycerides used are recognized as safe by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Food Safety Authority.

Their innovative RipeTrack digital platform further demonstrates their commitment to technological solutions in the agricultural sector.

The company's technology has garnered significant recognition.

In 2018, the World Economic Forum named Apeel Sciences a Technology Pioneer, acknowledging its innovative approach to addressing social challenges.

Academic and industry experts, including Walter Willett from Harvard's School of Public Health, have validated the safety and potential of Apeel's technology.

Apeel continues to explore expanding its technology across different produce categories, with particular interest in tropical fruits and high-value, high-spoilage produce.

Their vision extends beyond immediate commercial success, focusing on creating systemic improvements in global food systems.

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TIP OF THE DAY

Leverage Augmented Reality (AR) for Immersive Consumer Engagement

Augmented Reality (AR) is revolutionizing how brands interact with consumers, offering an immersive way to tell your produce story. 

Introduce AR experiences that bring your products to life directly on customers' smartphones.

For example, place scannable QR codes on your packaging that lead to an AR feature.

Customers can use this to view a 3D model of the farm where their produce was grown or to watch an animated story about the journey from seed to shelf.

Alternatively, create an interactive AR game or recipe guide that uses your products as key ingredients.

AR not only enhances the shopping experience but also provides a memorable connection between your brand and your audience.

It demonstrates innovation and transparency, which are particularly valued in the produce industry.

When done well, AR campaigns can increase brand loyalty, boost social sharing, and ultimately drive sales.