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🌱 Good afternoon, and welcome to today's fresh newsletter!
In today's email:
Sun Pacific Shippers Predicts Strong Citrus Season
U.S. Online Grocery Sales Hit $9.6B in December 2024
Trivia: Which Fruit Has Seeds on the Outside?
Fresh Picks: Our Handpicked Produce Content from the Web
Cox Farms Teams Up with Feeding America to Deliver Three Million Pounds of Produce
Westfalia Fruit: Upholding Dr. Merensky’s Legacy of Excellence & Sustainability
Tip of the Day: Launch a ‘Freshness Guaranteed’ Challenge to Build Confidence in Your Produce
CITRUS
Sun Pacific Shippers Predicts Strong Citrus Season Despite Smaller Oranges and Lemons
Sun Pacific Shippers anticipates a strong citrus season with improved fruit quality despite smaller-sized oranges and lemons caused by prolonged summer heat in Pasadena, California.
This heat also led to minor sunburn on some fruit.
Pest damage, including thrip and citrus greening disease, has been minimal due to effective monitoring and control measures over the past decade.
The company offers diverse citrus options, such as navel oranges, Cuties mandarins, Tinkled Pink cara cara oranges, Vintage Sweet heirloom navels, and a growing range of organic products, which continue to perform well amid rising consumer demand.
With innovative branding and high-quality varieties like Vintage Sweet, Sun Pacific caters to premium markets, providing products in flexible packaging sizes, including 40-pound cartons.
ONLINE GROCERY SALES
U.S. Online Grocery Sales Hit $9.6B in December 2024
The U.S. online grocery market ended 2024 with $9.6 billion in December sales, a 19% year-over-year (YOY) increase.
This marked the fifth consecutive month exceeding $9.5 billion, driven by strategic membership promotions offering deep discounts of 33%-80%.
These initiatives, starting in mid-May, spurred a 17.7% YOY growth in eGrocery sales in the year’s second half, following minimal growth in the first half.
Delivery services led with $4.0 billion in December sales (24.6% YOY growth), while ship-to-home saw the highest increase at 40% YOY, reaching $1.8 billion. Pickup services grew 5.3% YOY to $3.8 billion.
Mass retailers captured over 50% of monthly active users, intensifying competition for grocers.
Grocers are advised to prioritize AI-driven personalization and digital innovations to sustain growth in 2025.
TRIVIA
_____ are the only fruit to have their seeds on the outside.
This unique trait makes them one of the most recognizable fruits in the world.
Which Fruit Has Seeds on the Outside?
Which Fruit Has Seeds on the Outside? |
🧑🌾 Cameras, Sensors Help Farmers Achieve ‘Superhuman’ Outcomes | Advancements in agricultural technology, such as John Deere’s AI-driven precision tools, are enhancing efficiency and decision-making by enabling automation, targeted applications, and real-time monitoring, delivering cost savings and improved outcomes for farmers. (AgriNews-Pubs.com | Jan 24, 2025)
🍎 Global Market Overview Apples | The global apple market is experiencing significant shifts, driven by varying production levels, evolving consumer preferences, and changing trade dynamics, with regions like China, South Africa, the U.S., and Europe adapting to unique challenges and opportunities, including weather impacts, automation, and shifting demand for organic and specialty varieties. (FreshPlaza.com | Jan 24, 2025)
❄️ Rare Winter Blast Keeps Florida Growers on Their Toes | Florida's agricultural sector is adapting to a rare winter storm and extended cold snap, with minimal impact on major growing regions (GrowingProduce.com | Jan 24, 2025)
💵 Trump Pick to Lead USDA Eyes Payments to Farmers to Cover Trade Losses From Tariffs | Brooke Rollins, nominated to lead the USDA, pledged to consider direct payments to farmers to offset tariff losses, prioritize trade market access, and reform the H2A visa program, while facing scrutiny over past positions on ethanol and immigration policies. (Reuters.com | Jan 23, 2025)
🍊 Citrus Crop Yields Optimism | The 2024-25 U.S. citrus crop shows good quality despite lower volumes of some varieties, ongoing recovery from weather challenges in Florida and Texas, and nationwide efforts to combat citrus greening disease with improved tools and vigilant management. (ThePacker.com | Jan 23, 2025)
FOOD SAFETY
Cox Farms Teams Up with Feeding America to Deliver Three Million Pounds of Produce
Cox Farms has partnered with Feeding America to donate 3 million pounds of fresh produce annually, addressing food insecurity across the U.S. and Canada.
Announced on January 20, 2025, the initiative leverages Cox Farms’ position as North America’s largest greenhouse operator to supply nutritious items like lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, and peppers.
Feeding America’s network of over 200 food banks and 60,000 pantries will distribute the produce, ensuring access in underserved communities.
The year-round greenhouse operations enable consistent donations, reducing food waste while fostering healthier outcomes.
This collaboration aligns with Cox Enterprises’ 34by34 Initiative, aiming to empower 34 million people by 2034.
It emphasizes sustainable agriculture, systemic hunger solutions, and improved nutrition for families in need.
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
Westfalia Fruit: Upholding Dr. Merensky’s Legacy of Excellence & Sustainability
Westfalia Fruit, a name synonymous with quality and sustainability in the global fruit industry, has established itself as a leading supplier of avocados and a diverse range of fresh produce.
Founded in 1949 by Dr. Hans Merensky, the company has grown from a single estate in Limpopo, South Africa, into a multinational enterprise with operations spanning 17 countries across five continents.
With a workforce of approximately 8,000 employees, Westfalia Fruit serves international markets, offering not only avocados but also citrus, cherries, blueberries, and various other fruits, catering to both retail and foodservice sectors.
The origins of Westfalia Fruit are deeply rooted in the vision and dedication of its founder, Dr. Hans Merensky.
Born in Botshabelo, South Africa, in 1871, Merensky’s early life was marked by a profound connection to nature, which later influenced his scientific and agricultural endeavors.
Over the decades, Westfalia Fruit has consistently prioritized innovation and sustainability, ensuring that its operations not only meet but exceed industry standards.
The company boasts the first vertically integrated avocado supply chain, encompassing every stage from research and development to the consumer.
This integration allows Westfalia to maintain stringent quality control, optimize logistics, and implement advanced ripening technologies that ensure fruits reach their peak flavor and ripeness.
A cornerstone of Westfalia’s success is its substantial investment in research and development.
This focus has led to the creation of disease-resistant avocado rootstocks, improved irrigation technologies, and innovative methods to enhance crop resilience against climate change.
By developing new fruit varieties and refining farming practices, Westfalia Fruit has adapted to varying climatic conditions and ensured consistent, high-quality produce.
These efforts are supported by a global network of farms, partner growers, and nurseries, which enables the company to deliver a wide variety of fruits while adhering to sustainable farming techniques such as mulching, integrated pest management, and water conservation.
The company boasts the first vertically integrated avocado supply chain
In this century, Westfalia Fruit has continued to expand its global footprint, establishing headquarters and operations in key markets such as the Netherlands, France, the UK, Mozambique, the USA, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Austria, Portugal, Burkina Faso, India, Germany, and Kenya.
The acquisition of Syros, a Belgian-based manufacturer of avocado products, in 2025 is a testament to Westfalia’s growth strategy, aimed at strengthening its value-added business in Europe and aligning with partners who share similar commitments to quality and sustainability.
The company has pioneered non-destructive testing technologies, such as hyperspectral imaging and AI-based grading systems, which significantly reduce food loss and ensure consistent quality.
Westfalia provides education support through scholarships, after-school programs, and resource centers that offer additional learning opportunities for children in the communities where they operate.
Healthcare facilities, such as clinics in remote areas, ensure that employees and local residents have access to essential medical services.
The legacy of Dr. Hans Merensky continues to influence Westfalia Fruit’s mission and vision.
The company strives to make avocados and other fresh produce accessible to people worldwide while maintaining a positive impact on the environment and communities.
This mission is driven by a team of dedicated professionals who embody the company’s values of innovation, sustainability, and responsible stewardship.
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TIP OF THE DAY
Launch a "Freshness Guarantee Challenge" to Build Confidence in Your Produce
Stand out by showcasing confidence in the quality of your produce with a bold '‘Freshness Guaranteed’ Program.
Promise your customers that if any item they purchase doesn’t meet their freshness expectations, they’ll receive a replacement or refund, no questions asked.
To reinforce this campaign, feature videos and content explaining the rigorous steps you take to ensure the freshest produce, such as harvesting schedules, cold chain management, and local sourcing.
Encourage customers to share their experiences with your produce on social media, using a branded hashtag like #FreshnessGuaranteed, to showcase testimonials and success stories.
Include eye-catching signage in stores or stickers on packaging with the guarantee to build trust with new customers.
This strategy builds confidence, attracts cautious shoppers, and reinforces your commitment to quality.
It transforms a potential hesitation into a reason to try your produce, ensuring your brand stands out in a competitive market..
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