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According to suppliers, the bell and hot pepper growing seasons have been good with favorable weather, and expectations are for steady supplies this year.
For the week ending Aug. 24, Nielsen's total U.S. retail sales data showed that overall citrus fruit dollar sales declined 3.3% in the past year but still represented $4.5 billion in total sales.
As cooler weather nears, produce departments will be stocked with the latest, most popular specialty items that retailers can use to boost sales and make the holiday season more festive.
During the 2018-19 Peruvian sweet onion season, Reidsville, Georgia-based Shuman Farms led the industry, importing nearly 1,100 containers of Peruvian sweet onions for U.S. distribution, says John Shuman, president and CEO of Shuman Farms. This season, similar production is planned for the company.
Fresh-cut produce, packaged in all forms, continues to be a popular choice for today's busy shoppers who are looking for healthy, on-the-go options for themselves and their family.
Juliemar Rosado, director of retail and international marketing for the National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), Winter Springs, Florida, says with a category item like watermelons, good merchandising is important because it confirms the value, health and versatility of the product, which are some of the primary drivers for watermelon sales.
Avocados continue to excel as a top fruit drawing customers into produce departments coast to coast. And although the California crop was greatly reduced this season due to extreme heat and wildfires, the industry remains optimistic that there will be plenty available to spread on toast and liven up parties in guacamole dishes.
