The Produce Industry Podcast: A Call for Transparency in Texas Produce Crossings
In this week’s episode of The Produce Industry Podcast with Patrick Kelly, we are bringing a major issue to the table that’s happening right now in Texas. Did you know that produce crossings from Mexico to Texas can take up to 10 days to complete reporting? Significant changes to this rule were introduced in 2021, impacting how data and analytics are shared about produce entering the U.S. from Mexico.
A dedicated team of produce professionals is actively fighting to get this rule changed, advocating for greater transparency across the board. This is crucial not just for businesses but also for consumers.
Expert Voices in the Industry
Joining us are several industry experts who will shed light on how to improve our produce community and foster a better tomorrow:
- Brent Erenwert – Brothers Produce of Houston
- Martha Montoya – Ag Tools, Inc.
- Amanda Horney – London Fruit Company (Grub Market)
- Allison Moore – Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
- Dante Galazzi – Texas International Produce Association
Why Transparency Matters
Understanding the implications of the delayed crossings report is crucial for the industry:
- Market Transparency: The crossings report previously provided near-real-time data on goods crossing the border, giving businesses insight into supply and demand dynamics. This information is vital for making informed decisions, adjusting prices, and managing inventory. However, the current 10-day delay leaves stakeholders uninformed about domestic market conditions.
- Informed Purchasing: Importers, especially in the lime industry, rely heavily on accurate data to strategize their purchases. Understanding what and when goods are available helps them optimize their buying strategies, ensuring they meet consumer demand without surplus or shortage.
- Predicting Market Trends: Access to timely information helps importers anticipate market trends by analyzing the volume and types of goods entering the market. This empowers businesses to adjust pricing and production strategies accordingly.
- Consumer Impact: The delays in reporting directly affect consumers by influencing the availability and pricing of fresh produce. Ensuring the accuracy of this information is critical to providing affordable access to high-quality goods.
- Economic and National Security: The crossings report also has economic and national security implications. Maintaining a stable supply chain for fresh produce is essential for safeguarding the nation’s food security, especially considering that over 60% of our fruit and 40% of our vegetables are imported into the U.S.
Tune in to this enlightening discussion and discover how we can work together to improve the produce industry and enhance transparency within our supply chains.
Support Our Sponsors
FANCY SPONSORS:
- Ag Tools, Inc.: https://www.agtechtools.com
- Flavor Wave, LLC.: https://flavorwavefresh.com
- Noble Citrus: https://noblecitrus.com
- Buck Naked Onions/Owyhee Produce, Inc.: http://www.owyheeproduce.com
- John Greene Logistics Company: https://www.jglc.com
- Summer Citrus From South Africa: https://www.summercitrus.com
CHOICE SPONSORS:
- Indianapolis Fruit Company: https://indyfruit.com
- Equifruit: https://equifruit.com
- Arctic® Apples: https://arcticapples.com
- Sev-Rend Corporation: https://www.sev-rend.com
- Jac Vandenberg Inc.: https://www.jacvandenberg.com
- Dole Fresh Vegetables: https://www.dole.com/en/produce/vegetables
- WholesaleWare: https://www.grubmarket.com/hello/software/index.html
- Continental Fresh, LLC: https://www.continentalfresh.com
- Golden Star Citrus, Inc.: http://www.goldenstarcitrus.com
STANDARD SPONSORS:
- Freshway Produce: https://www.freshwayusa.com
- Yo, Quiero/Fresh Innovations, LLC.: https://yoquierobrands.com/
- RPE/Tasteful Selections: https://www.tastefulselections.com/
- Ben B. Schwartz & Co.: https://benbdetroit.com
- Citrus America: https://citrusamerica.com
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theproduceindustrypodcast/support
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