Exp Group LLC, in North Bergen, NJ, is a leading grower, shipper and supplier of tropical products to the New York and surrounding areas. The company’s line is very strong on processed bananas.

“Bananas and plantains are our biggest items,” said Emil Serafino, vice president of the company. “We have numerous ripening rooms and we continue to add new rooms over time.”

The Exp Group uses numerous labels on its wide variety of tropical fruits and vegetables.

“Primarily through our sister company, El Sol, located in Miami, FL, we are able to procure tropical produce directly,” said Jasmine Hines, director of marketing and advertising for R Best Produce Inc., headquartered in Port Washington, NY. “With El Sol we are constantly looking to provide a wider variety of tropical and specialty items.

“In addition, R Best is constantly expanding within the organic produce trend by working with companies such as Earthbound, Organic Girl, Driscoll’s, Dole and Cal-Organic to supply more organic options for our customers,” she added.

HERMOSILLIO, SONORA, MEXICO — "For 30 years, grapes have grown cheaper, not sweeter," notes Mexican grape grower, packer, shipper and exporter, Carlos Bon, a partner in Grupo Alta, based here, and its marketing arm, Divine Flavor LLC.

With the start of 2014's cherry season just weeks away, enthusiasm is running high at Chelan Fresh Marketing in Chelan, WA.

According to Marketing Director Mac Riggan, early shipments will start June 10, and the season is expected to run through mid-August.

Bryon Magnaghi said his first year as sales manager at F.C. Bloxom Co. has been successful. The company is headquartered in Seattle, WA, and Magnaghi is manning the office in Walla, Walla, WA. He brings more than three decades of experience in the produce industry and has developed a broad range of contacts over the years.

F.C. Bloxom began selling produce more than 75 years ago, starting with apple growing operations in Washington’s Yakima Valley.

Weather conditions not conducive to growing fresh produce on what is Mother Nature’s normal pattern seems to have followed growers up the East Coast since the season got underway. The Carolinas have been hammered with rain since around April 1.

On May 6, Calvert Cullen, president of Northampton Growers, headquartered in Cheriton, VA, said the region had received as much as three to four inches of rain nearly every day since early April, which is highly unusual this time of year.