By Frank Giles The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the fragile nature of global supply chains as the movement of many goods was disrupted and delayed for months after shutdowns related to the virus. The conflict in Iran has been a reminder of that vulnerability as oil and fertilizer movement has been disrupted, sending prices higher and feeding uncertainty into the marketplace. …
USDA Announces Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Impacted by Unfair Market Disruptions
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $1 billion in Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program assistance for specialty crops and sugar, commodities not covered through the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. These one-time bridge payments will help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, …
GPGA Executive Director Provides Update on 2025 Crop, India Market
By Clint Thompson Georgia pecan producers are nearing an end to a frustrating harvest season. Yields did not match growers’ expectations. Neither did market prices. It added up to another frustrating season, says Mary Bruorton, executive director of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association (GPGA). “We are nearing the end of it. Some growers could be done in the next week …
Pecan Quality, Prices Down This Year
By Clint Thompson Pecan production is down this year across the Southeast; mostly due to adverse weather conditions. Steady summer rains led to scab disease development, while the current dry period led to lighter pecans than expected. Also disappointing this year are the uneven market prices growers are receiving for this year’s crop. Georgia pecan farmer Randy Hudson discussed the …
National Potato Council Disappointed With Lack of Japan Fresh Market Access
WASHINGTON – The National Potato Council (NPC) is disappointed that the U.S.-Japan agreement did not include fresh market access for U.S. potatoes. Japan has delayed this market access request from the U.S. for 30 years, including delays as recently as October. “It is very disappointing that the U.S. was unable to use President Trump’s tariff leverage to push past Japan’s …
Market Price Impact Not Yet Known Following Termination of Tomato Suspension Agreement
By Clint Thompson The impact of the termination of the Tomato Suspension Agreement will not be fully realized for another couple of months, according to one industry leader. Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, said that when the calendar turns to 2026 is when the tomato industry should see the full effect of the agreement’s termination …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Global Blueberry Production Challenges Domestic Market
By Frank Giles The global blueberry market has been evolving over the past 20 years. The fruit has grown in popularity with consumers worldwide. This is a good thing, but it has presented challenges for growers in the Southeast as increased production across the globe competes to supply the demand. Zhengfei Guan, associate professor of economics with the University of …
Production Preview: Low Crop Prices Could Impact Fall Season
By Clint Thompson Low vegetable prices this spring impacted the bottom line for southeast growers. They also could impact producers’ intentions when managing their fall crops, says Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “The biggest issue, I think more so than the weather, is that prices were very low this spring …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Southeast Sweet Corn/Good Weather, Weak Prices
By Clint Thompson The absence of extreme weather during this year’s sweet corn season in Florida benefited production but negatively impacted market prices. Weather conditions cooperated, as the state’s sweet corn growers produced a strong crop that was both high in quality and quantity. However, it also led to excess supply, which led to a drop in demand. Market prices …
Drastic Drop: Watermelon Prices Decline Last Two Years
Florida’s watermelon market prices endured a drastic drop this year, and so did growers’ profits. According to a blog post from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), pricing this year tracked below prices recorded in 2023 and 2024. The average reported price on June 13, 2025 was $115.50 per bin. That compares to $231 per …



















