Seen and heard at the 2024 New York Produce Show — Part 3

NEW YORK — From tropicals to trendy juice shots to elevated eating experiences and year-round availability, the 2024 New York Produce Show and Conference, Dec. 10-12 in New York City, offered a glimpse into what's next for fresh produce in 2025.

As retailers are always looking for new items with which to engage shoppers, Melissa's Produce has seen increased demand for tropicals and other items like Pinkglow Pineapples that “elevate” the tropicals category, said Jody Okamoto. “We're also seeing the same thing in citrus — the category is much more than lemons, limes and oranges,” he said.

“Citrus as medicine is also big at the start of the new year,” added Steve Rodriguez.

Melissa's showcased its breadth of tropicals, exotics, citrus and offerings in its pre-conditioned mango program.

When it comes to pre-ripened mangoes, Rodriguez says the fruit is “where avocados were 25 years ago.” Once retailers began selling ripe avocados, the category took off, and Rodriguez sees the potential for a similar trajectory with ripe mangoes at retail.

“There's a lot more avocado volume coming from Colombia,” said Manuel Michel of the Colombia Avocado Board. “We're projecting 115 [million] to 120 million pounds for the fiscal year from July 1 through June 30, which is double the volume of last year at 60 million pounds.”

Michel says the board is also seeing more interest in Colombian avocados.

“The quality of avocados from Colombia is increasing as well as the volume,” he said. “The flavor also continues to improve.”

Michel said that Colombia currently exports 25% of its total avocado volume to the U.S., up from 15% last year.

“We'll continue to see growth over the next few years,” Michel added.

So Good So You touted its soon-to-be-released cold-pressed organic juice shot that combines tart cherry, lemon and magnesium.

The new shot was inspired by the most-searched mocktail recipe on TikTok, said Kimberly Corby.

So Good So You shots “are not only delicious, but also sustainable,” added Corby, who says each shot comes in a medicine bottle that is 100% recyclable — including the seal and cap.

Oppy featured the newest brand to come under its umbrella — Blue Diamond almonds. The company also touted its Italian Zespri SunGold and RubyRed Kiwifruit that Oppy's Dan Sebetic said is coming soon. Washington-grown Envy and Jazz apples were also on display, as were Ocean Spray blueberries out of Peru and avocados from its year-round Mexican avocado program.

“This is not your everyday strawberry,” said Will Yandel of Oishii strawberries. The premium berry with a premium price tag is an “occasion-based” eating experience, he said.

How has Oishii, which recently raised $150 million in Series B funding and continues to expand its market presence, made a name for itself in the premium berry category?

“Sampling, trial and a lot of education,” said Yandel, who added that Oishii will eventually bring products to market “that are much more price accessible.”

Trucco, an importer of fresh produce, dried fruits and nuts with distribution centers in New York and New Jersey, introduced its newest product: hazelnuts.

The company also shared the latest on its TruFresh expanded facility in Vineland, N.J., which opened its doors this past year.

“We now have over 100,000 square feet of temperature-controlled space,” said Paul Massey. Additionally, the expanded facility features a capacity for 1,200 pallets at ambient temperatures and will soon have five automated bagging lines for cherries and citrus.

In total, Trucco/TruFresh now boasts approximately 181,000 square feet of operational space, said Massey.

Your next read:

• Seen and heard at the 2024 New York Produce Show — Part 1
• Seen and heard at the 2024 New York Produce Show — Part 2