RIO RICO, AZ — Mexican watermelons and a diverse vegetable shipping program are on the docket this spring for Greenpoint Distributing LLC, located here.

NOGALES, AZ — As the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas works to expedite uninterrupted produce trade between Mexico and the United States, Georgina Felix, FPAA’s foreign affairs director, works with leaders on both sides of the border to smooth the trade route.

Felix, who has a degree in industrial engineering, started her career in communications in Mexico City, working for the national department of agriculture.

RIO RICO, AZ — A handshake with a Mexican grower 29 years ago put Bill Sykes in business. No contracts were ever signed, but trade continues to expand for grower-representative Sykes, who is president of The Sykes Co., based here.

His winter and spring watermelon offerings are expanding as key commodities for Sykes.

NOGALES, AZ — “Gradual and safe growth” has been the business approach for Sergio Chamberlain, president of SCC Fresh LLC, since he launched the company four years ago. Still, “we grow more and more each year,” he said. SCC Fresh handles Mexican produce entering McAllen, TX, as well as Nogales, but Nogales represents “a huge portion” of company sales. “We have a cold storage in McAllen” for some produce shipments.

Chamberlain has been in the produce business for 25 years.

RIO RICO, AZ — Produce distributors in this Nogales, AZ, shipping region have various business approaches. For IPR Fresh, the key approach is to select in Nogales the right products to fill customer orders. Among the local roughly 100 produce brokers and distributors, “We know who has the best product,” said Francisco Obregon, who heads business development for IPR Fresh. Essentially, IPR Fresh customers provide the company with shopping lists.

RIO RICO, AZ — Given consumer interest in nutritious, healthy eating and meat substitutes, these are good days for eggplant.

Malena Produce Inc. claims to be North America’s largest-volume eggplant grower and shipper.

Gonzalo Avila, the vice president and general manager of Malena, said the strongest demographic segment for consuming eggplant are older consumers, well-educated and higher-income households.

“Our job is to educate consumers,” Avila continued. “People say: ‘It looks nice. How do I eat it?’ “