Cost of inputs, commodity pricing volatility and weather unpredictability limit the fresh produce sector as a vital industry for feeding a growing global population sustainably, according to a ProducePay survey that explored business stability for produce stakeholders in the United States and Latin America.

Highlights from the survey include:

Citing a host of challenges facing the global fresh produce and floral community — ranging from geopolitical tensions, extreme weather events, consumer health trends, emergent technologies like generative AI and more — International Fresh Produce Association CEO Cathy Burns emphasized action and advocacy as the vehicles through which the organization and its members will overcome these hurdles together in the second annual State of the Industry address at the 2023 Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, CA.

Westfalia Fruit USA officials want to take attendees of this year’s International Fresh Produce Association Global Produce & Floral Show into the future — all the way to the year 2049, its 100th anniversary, through an experiential virtual trip using cutting-edge virtual reality technology.

SugarBee harvest has arrived earlier than expected this year. An early cold snap pushed the much-anticipated fall harvest up by about a week and a half, which means that SugarBee apples are arriving in stores near you sooner than ever.

Honeybear Brands is welcoming visitors to booth No. 2071 at the International Fresh Produce Association show as a strong Pazazz apple crop prepares to hit retail shelves.

"We’re seeing robust crops across all our orchards, including those on both coasts and the Midwest," said Don Roper, vice president at Honeybear Brands. "This means strong supply for retailers and delicious fruit on hand for shoppers at the lowest landed costs.”

I Love Produce, an importer and distributor of garlic, ginger and shallots, based in Kelton, PA, is introducing squeezable jars of garlic and ginger at the International Fresh Produce Association Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, CA.