CHELAN, WA - Texas International Produce Association’s Viva Fresh Expo will soon be upon us, and with it, the opportunity to connect with the boots on the ground of our industry. Sitting at a dynamic intersection for the Washington fruit calendar, Chelan Fresh’s Mac Riggan recently shared that apple differentiation will be at the core of the company’s focus for the event.

“Retailers have the opportunity to be in promotable positioning with Honeycrisp, Sugar Bee®, and Rockit™ apples, with the latter two being premium retail apples,” Mac said.

He explained further how this both diversifies the apple spread for retailers while enabling them to offer a price range that brings ROI.

“Because Sugar Bee and Rockit are premium apples, retailers don’t need to cut prices when including them in the lineup, which is why you should keep an open mind for your program if you don’t already include them, especially as they offer a point of differentiation,” Mac said.

He added that this becomes more imperative as Honeycrisp, which continues to hold a strong position in demand and recognition as well, will continue to climb in price.

“That Honeycrisp is also rising to a premium is good to keep in mind, especially if your premium apple offering is limited. Rockit and Sugar Bee both offer a wider option for more premium opportunities beyond Honeycrisp,” Mac shared further.

And of course, in speaking to premium fruit, cherries are never far from mind as well. Though it is early yet, the blossoms are looking favorable, Mac shared.

“For cherries, while the outlook is promising, it is still a bit soon to tell on PNW until the petals fall,” he explained.

Ready for more inside details from Mac himself? Be sure to visit Chelan Fresh at booth #303 on April 18 in San Antonio, Texas.

ISSAQUAH, WA - Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $28.41 billion for the retail month of March, the five weeks ended April 5, 2026, an increase of 11.3 percent from $25.51 billion last year

Net sales for the first 31 weeks were $173.26 billion, an increase of 9.1 percent from $158.87 billion last year.

March had one less shopping day versus last year, due to the calendar shift of Easter. This negatively impacted both total and comparable sales by approximately one and one-half percent, a release stated.

Costco currently operates 928 warehouses, including 637 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 115 in Canada, 42 in Mexico, 37 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 20 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, three in France, two in Sweden, and one each in Iceland, and New Zealand. Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia.

To view the full report, click here.

WASHINGTON, DC - As global tensions continue to impact supply chains, International Fresh Produce Association CEO Cathy Burns is addressing members directly. In the following letter, Burns outlines the current challenges facing the industry and what the association is doing in response.

I am writing to you at a moment of significant challenge for our industry. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is sending shockwaves through global energy and commodity markets, and the fresh produce supply chain—from farm to fork—is feeling the impact acutely.

I want to share what we know, what we are doing, and what you can expect from your association in the weeks and months ahead.

What we’re seeing:

• Fuel and freight costs have surged dramatically. Diesel prices have risen between 11% and 49% depending on the market, with the sharpest increases in S.E. Asia. Fuel surcharges are being added to ocean, truck, and air shipping rates across all major trade lanes. For our industry, where freshness depends on reliable, uninterrupted cold chain logistics, these increases hit harder and faster than in most other sectors.
• Fertilizer prices are spiking. Urea, the most widely used nitrogen fertilizer, prices have increased over $260 per ton since late February. This comes on top of fertilizer costs that USDA had already projected to be 21% higher in 2026 than five years ago.
• Farmgate prices remain stagnant. Many of our grower members have seen the prices they receive for their products stagnate or decline for years. Honeydew prices have fallen 35%, bell peppers 29%, and cabbage 11% over the past three years alone. The gap between rising costs and stagnant revenues is becoming untenable.
• The impacts vary by region. Members closer to the conflict zone are experiencing faster, more severe disruptions. But no market is immune, global commodity pricing means that fuel and fertilizer shocks in one region ripple everywhere. 
  Why the long term stakes are higher:

The immediate cost pressures are painful, but I am most concerned about what happens next. Fuel costs hit every day and affect every link in the chain. But fertilizer price shocks work differently; they affect what growers decide to plant, how much they invest, and ultimately how much food reaches consumers months from now.

If growers cannot cover their costs of production, they will make rational decisions to reduce plantings, cut back on inputs, or exit crops entirely. The consequences of that underinvestment will not appear on supermarket shelves immediately, but when they do, consumers will face tighter supply, less variety, and higher prices.

That is why the decisions made in the next few weeks by buyers, retailers, and policymakers matter so much. Fair, cost-reflective pricing today is what gives growers the confidence to keep planting for tomorrow.

What IFPA is doing:

• Partnering with other associations across all of agriculture to ensure the U.S. Administration and Congress is aware of impacts and pressures of rising input costs.
• On April 15, IFPA will host a Town Hall on the Impact of the Middle East Conflict on our industry from 12-1p.m. ET. Register here.
• IFPA has also authored a letter it will send to President Trump, Cabinet officials, and Congressional leadership detailing the critical impact of rising input costs and supply chain disruptions on the industry.

What we need from you:

• Share your story. If rising costs are affecting your operations, your planting decisions, or your ability to serve customers, let us know. Specific, real-world examples are the most powerful tool in our advocacy.
• Join the Advocacy Action Network to be informed quickly on ways to share your voice on this and upcoming issues.
• Stay informed. The situation is evolving quickly, and we want you to have the most current picture. 

Our industry feeds the world. That mission does not pause because input costs are rising. But sustaining it requires that the costs and risks are shared fairly, that policymakers understand what is at stake, and that growers have the confidence to keep investing in the crops that communities rely on.

You have my commitment that this association will be relentless in advocating for you during this crisis. I will continue to update you as the situation develops.

If you have questions, concerns, or intelligence to share, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. 

FOLSOM, CA - Challenging the perception that walnuts are simply a baking nut, California Walnuts is launching its latest campaign to encourage walnut sales by showcasing them as a fresh, nutritious produce item to be enjoyed daily.

The summer campaign, launching in May, is an extension of the “Feel Good” effort introduced in 2025, which positions walnuts as a lifestyle brand. With summer being the peak season for produce sales at retail, the campaign aims to move walnuts beyond the baking aisle and into the fresh produce section. The move also reflects a growing affinity from consumers—including Gen Z and Millennials—who are increasingly turning to simple, natural foods like walnuts to support their wellness‑minded lifestyles.

Digital and social media will encourage consumption through dozens of influencers and creators showcasing how walnuts fit into spring and summer meals, as well as in commercial spots on streaming TV, media articles, digital advertising and sampling at wellness-inspired events. A dedicated website, feelgood.walnuts.org, will be the hub to learn more about how walnuts contribute texture, nutrition and natural energy to summertime meals, wellness and more.

“Walnuts have always offered incredible nutrition and versatility, but many consumers don’t realize they are a perishable produce item just like the fruits and vegetables we reach for every day,” said Robert Verloop, executive director and CEO of the California Walnut Board and Commission, in a press release. “This campaign is about reframing walnuts from a pantry ingredient to an everyday staple that belongs in the refrigerator with other produce. By demonstrating how effortlessly walnuts can be incorporated into seasonal meals and routines, we’re highlighting walnuts’ full value year-round and how they can support consumers’ lifestyles and make them feel good.”

Retail efforts focus on merchandising walnuts in the produce department, where shoppers are already looking for fresh, whole foods. This repositioning alongside fruits and vegetables helps shoppers make the connection between walnuts and daily eating routines, increasing visibility, trial and repeat purchases. The effort will also reinforce best storage practices, such as storing walnuts in the refrigerator to preserve walnut quality, and mirrors how consumers treat fresh produce. Additional efforts include in-store displays, feature ads and shopper marketing efforts to increase visibility and motivate shoppers to add walnuts to their carts.

“Walnuts naturally belong with produce,” said Verloop. “When shoppers see walnuts merchandised with fresh ingredients when they’re planning snacks and meals, it inspires new usage ideas and reinforces walnuts as an everyday staple in their refrigerator.”