MCALLEN, TX - The industry is preparing to follow the seasons, and amid this, bells and mini sweet peppers are seeing tighter volumes and smaller sizing as suppliers work to meet continued demand.

“The majority of bell peppers—Green, Color, and Mini Sweets—are in a tight mode as we are right in the middle of transition. Plants are tired in current growing regions, and Sonora, Mexico, is seeing light packing with Sinaloa still a few weeks away,” Tony Incaviglia, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for GR Fresh, recently shared. “Pricing has been active with smaller local domestic growing regions such as Michigan and New Jersey now complete and the Southeast impacted by Hurricane Ian.”

Despite these conditions, growers continue to produce a product that prompts demand from consumers.

“Our quality overall has been consistent, but sizing has trended a bit smaller. We are beginning to see more medium, small, and choice sizing from the packing houses,” Tony told me.

Looking toward holiday eating, he said these conditions are predicted to remain over the coming weeks.

“The Thanksgiving pull will be a challenge. Sonora will hopefully have found this season’s rhythm, with Sinaloa just beginning to start up. The Christmas pull will be in much better shape as both supply and quality are projected to be good to go,” Tony assured me.

As the company juggles the challenges Mother Nature tends to present, it is also leaning into the best ways to support her with its latest launch. Tony teased that a new 100-percent-compostable packaging option will be among the exciting things GR Fresh is showcasing at this week’s Global Produce & Global Show.

Excited to learn more? So am I, and we will get the chance to do so at booth #1649.

See you there!

GR Fresh