Pacificpro Inc. anticipates a recent hail storm to affect its 2012-13 pear volume from the Pacific Northwest. “We did expect a crop size in line with last year,” said Vice President Randy Hartmann. “However, one unknown at this point is that we did have some hail in various growing regions last week and do anticipate some shrink in the projected crop size due to this damage. But the extent is unknown at this point. Some minor damage could cure out as fruit continues to grow.”

Green Tree International, headquartered in Visalia, CA, with a brokerage office in Wenatchee, WA, has already begun marketing fresh potatoes from eastern Washington. “Everyone has been on schedule,” Sales Associate Braden Hosking told The Produce News July 30. “Things are on track.” Overall, he expects volume for 2012 to be similar to recent years.

When a Peruvian grower harvests an asparagus crop, he or she can either send it to the fresh market or the processor. It’s the same crop, but the decision typically is based on timing and the price.

But from the other end of the spectrum, it is an entirely different animal.

Last August, a Harvest Sensations executive discussed the Peruvian asparagus situation with an editor from The Produce News on the day that the stock market dropped more than 600 points. That 600-point drop was on the heels of two other days within the same week that registered losses of 500-plus points and was brought on by the downgrading of the U.S. bond rating. The Dow Jones Averages stood at under 10,800.

When it comes to Peruvian asparagus, Progressive Produce Corp. and Keystone Fruit Marketing Inc. believe their collaborative efforts offers their customers unmatched service.

For the past six years, Keystone, which is headquartered in Greencastle, PA, and Progressive, which calls Los Angeles its home base, have worked the Peruvian asparagus deal together in a unique partnership. They share an office in Peru, source together and transport the product in tandem to the East and West coasts. They also share information and can service each other’s customers when the need arise.

With the development of its 2012-13 Category Management Plan Outline for Fresh Peruvian Asparagus, the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association has once again endeavored to jump start the promotion of the crop by retailers and foodservice operators throughout the United States.