By Clint Thompson The hits just keep on coming for vegetable and specialty crop producers across the Southeast. If it’s not fuel prices skyrocketing, it’s a pallet shortage sweeping across the country. If it’s not high labor costs or having enough labor availability, it’s having to contend with increased imports. “Every week’s a different challenge, it seems like, something; either …
Florida Blueberries: Best Year in a Long Time
By Clint Thompson What a difference a year made for Florida blueberries. A year ago amid the early onset of COVID-19 and consistent imports from Mexico, prices were down for most of the season, about 50% of the historical average farmers would normally get, according to producer Ryan Atwood. This year’s crop, though, was helped by consistent prices for most …
South Florida’s Vegetable Production Ends With a ‘Whimper’
By Clint Thompson South Florida’s vegetable season started off strong but ended with a “whimper,” according to Gene McAvoy, associate director for stakeholder relations at the University of Florida/IFAS. “It was pretty strong there in January and February. Then Mexico started coming in with more product, especially in April,” McAvoy said. “It varies by crop. Sweet corn had probably the …
Plea for Help: Rubio, Colleagues Urge USTR to Safeguard American Seasonal Producers
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Austin Scott (R-GA), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), and Al Lawson (D-FL) led a bipartisan letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai urging her to work with members of Congress to implement immediate trade relief measures that safeguard American producers of seasonal and perishable fruits …
North Florida to Feature More Late-Season Watermelons
North Florida watermelons will be in supply later than normal, says Branford, Florida producer Laura Land. Land, who is also a member of the Florida Watermelon Association, says there will be more late-season watermelons this year in North Florida. “The increase in acreage that I’m seeing here in the North Florida area is pretty much that later crop,” Land said. …
Georgia Produce Farmer: (Mexico) Doesn’t Care About Costs
What should be an advantage to Southeast producers against Mexico is anything but, believes Georgia vegetable farmer Dick Minor. Freight prices continue to spike, which has only worsened since gas prices continue to increase. But that doesn’t matter to produce originating out of Mexico, Minor added. “High freight rates are our friend or should be technically our friend from a …
Florida Farmer: It’s Going to Take a Movement
Two farmers. Two states. One message: The government needs to do more to support the American farmer. In an era of increasing costs and imports that continue to flood the marketplace, more and more farmers express concern about the decreasing role American farms have in feeding our country. “Florida specialty crops is really getting the raw end of the deal …
Scab Disease: To Spray or Not to Spray?
The calendar may say it’s time for pecan producers to spray for scab but the weather conditions, combined with the current market season, say otherwise. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist, says it still early to start spraying for scab disease this week. Next week should present a more optimal timeframe. It would also coincide with growers’ …
Fried: We are Losing a lot of Farms
The economics of farming in Florida is not adding up for some vegetable and specialty crop producers. With land prices continuing to increase across the Sunshine State and imports continuing to flood the U.S. markets, it has created a crossroads for some growers, explains Florida Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried. “When our growers can’t compete and they are seeing job losses, …
FFVA Issues Statement Following USITC Hearing on Cucumbers, Squash
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) issued a statement following Thursday’s U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) hearing regarding the impact of imports on the Southeast domestic cucumber and squash crops. The statement read: “Today’s hearing was a positive development in our ongoing efforts to secure trade relief for Florida growers. For decades, unfair trade practices from Mexico and other …