SANTA MONICA, CA - During the winter months, consumers take comfort in the familiarity of the berry set. Whether they are using them to fuel their busy days or finding unique ways to incorporate them into holiday meals, shoppers will delight in finding Gem-Pack Berries products in the produce aisle.

“The winter months are a busy season for the southern berry regions,” Michelle Deleissegues, Senior Vice President of Marketing, began telling me. “Gem-Pack offers conventional and organic strawberries out of Oxnard, Irvine/Orange County, Florida, Baja California, and Central Mexico. We also have conventional and organic raspberries from Oxnard, Baja California, and Central Mexico, as well as blackberries and blueberries out of Mexico. Winter is the time to focus on cultivating a beautiful long stem strawberry crop for the upcoming Valentine's Day demand.”

When adding berries to their shopping list, consumers have the advantage of serving beautiful, festive, and flavorful dishes they know contain an extra big nutritional boost as well. Michelle pointed out that berries are also an easy crowd-pleaser, so they are a quick go-to and an assured hit with all ages.

“Berries complement so many types of dishes and cuisine that consumers can add sales boosts beyond daily consumption. The bright colors and sweet and tart flavor profiles make holiday salads, desserts, and drinks extra festive and special,” Michelle continued. “Keep well-stacked displays and encourage inventive ways to use the berries, like blueberries in green salads instead of more typical vegetables. Berries add color and flavor to appetizer boards, cocktail garnishes...just about anything!”

On a final note, Michelle let me know that Gem-Pack is also working with some accounts on developing extra appealing strawberry Valentine's Day promotions that will surely be a big hit. As we learn more, ANUK will report.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES & PERU - A strategic acquisition has expanded Unifrutti’s table grape platform in Peru, as the company moves to integrate Safco’s production footprint and proprietary varieties across its global network. The deal, which includes Global Agro Peru and Safco Peru, adds roughly 560 hectares of vineyards and two packhouses in Ica, according to a Yahoo! Finance article.

Safco supplies premium table grapes to U.S. retailers, focusing on varieties including Cotton Candy, Sweet Globe, and Autumn Crisp. Upon completion, the transaction will bring the group’s total holdings to more than 4,300 hectares of table grape farms and an annual output of nearly 15 million boxes.

“The integration of Safco enables Unifrutti to serve U.S. customers seamlessly from September through June, sourcing from grape farms in Piura and Ica in Peru, Copiapó in northern Chile, and extending through central Chile,” the company shared, noting additional support from farms in Italy and South Africa for European customers.

Completion of the deal remains subject to customary closing conditions.

“This acquisition marks another step in our journey to build the world’s leading sustainable multi-fruit company with a 52-week integrated supply,” said Mohamed Elsarky, CEO. “By integrating Safco’s premium varieties and capabilities, we reinforce our ability to serve leading retailers and distributors worldwide.”

The group has expanded through a series of acquisitions in recent years, including Bomarea, AvoAmerica Peru, and Verfrut, bolstering its footprint across key categories and geographies.

Keep following ANUK as we monitor global supply shifts and strategic investments shaping fresh produce.

MISSION, TX - Texas Citrus Mutual, the Texas International Produce Association, and the Texas Farm Bureau issued the following statement in response to new federal actions addressing Mexico’s outstanding water deliveries.

On behalf of the fruit, vegetable, and row crop farmers in the Rio Grande Valley, we are grateful for President Trump’s recent statement regarding Mexico’s continual violation of the 1944 Water Treaty and his authorization to impose penalties against Mexico if they do not immediately begin releasing water. As a result, Mexico returned to the negotiating table.

Late Friday, the U.S. government announced a new understanding for the delivery of a portion of the overdue water and a path forward for paying the remaining debt and the yearly water obligation. While we await details, we stand ready to assist our federal and state partners to ensure deliveries are maximized for beneficial use by the agricultural industry.

We thank U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau for their swift work to ensure our voices are heard and to hold Mexico accountable. As noted in the USDA press release, our farmers have endured years of unpredictability, fueled by insufficient attention and resources to prioritize this issue.

“We applaud the Administration’s recent actions, but Mexico must honor this new agreement or face consequences. The short- and long-term impacts on Texas farmers are beyond the data on paper. Livelihoods have been uprooted, and the region’s agricultural landscape may never be the same again. Meanwhile, Mexico continues to expand its agricultural production that directly competes with U.S. producers…with water that should have been delivered to the U.S.,” said Dale Murden, President, Texas Citrus Mutual.

At the conclusion of the five-year cycle that ended on October 24, 2025, Mexico’s water debt totaled over 800,000 acre-feet. In addition, Mexico must begin paying on its yearly obligation. Both deliveries are vital to our farmers, whose crops are in the ground now, and for future planning.

“While Mexico did deliver some water this year, thanks to pressure by the Trump Administration, it was not enough to cover the debt. This new understanding must be quickly implemented. The U.S. must not allow Mexico to delay fulfilling its obligations, or it risks Mexico overusing water resources that should be shared. A tactic taken by Mexico for years without penalty or accountability,” said Dante Galeazzi, President & CEO, Texas International Produce Association.

Recently, the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) board of directors and county Farm Bureau leaders, including President Russell Boening and Brian Jones, TFB State Director, and a farmer in the RGV, visited Washington, DC, with the 1944 Treaty as a key priority. Boening and Jones met with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, State Department Representatives, Texas Senators Cornyn and Cruz, and numerous members of Congress.

“Our RGV members have struggled for decades to maintain their family farming operations due to Mexico’s inconsistent compliance. ‘Enough is enough,’ is the message we delivered to the Administration and Congress.” “With the announcement of this new understanding, it’s clear they heard our voices, and for that we are grateful,” said Boening.

“President Trump’s authorization to hold Mexico accountable is a game-changer; however, any new deal by Mexico must be honored and include full payment of the debt. If I were in debt, to the equivalent of Mexico’s 800,000 acre-feet, my farm would be foreclosed on. The U.S. government must stand firm in its position that, if Mexico doesn’t deliver, it will be held accountable. Absent action, every day that passes without certainty results in more fallow acres – status quo is not an option,” said Jones.

Additionally, to enable future accountability, Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz recently introduced the Ensuring Predictable and Reliable Water Deliveries Act of 2025, which would hold Mexico accountable for failing to provide water and limit engagement with the Government of Mexico until it upholds its obligations to deliver water to the United States. In support, Representatives Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) and Henry Cuellar (TX-28) introduced a companion bill in the House. This bicameral legislation shows Congressional support for bringing Mexico into compliance, a position long advocated for by Texas farmers.

We also applaud the November 21 statement by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) calling on Mexico to meet its delivery obligations. And we echo Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller’s words from his December 14 statement on Friday’s announcement, “Let me be clear: Texas farmers expect Mexico to fully meet its obligations—not just today, but for years to come.”

Mexico’s continual noncompliance endangers the viability of the RGV’s communities of over 1 million residents and 500,000 acres of irrigated farmland. The Mexican government and its states must honor their obligation to deliver water annually to the U.S.

We are grateful for the full support of President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Secretary Rollins in this fight to save Texas farmers and communities. In addition to the support of our state officials, we work together to ensure our farmers have the resources needed to produce food and fiber for America.

For more information about TIPA, please visit www.texipa.org.