JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Westfalia Fruit, a global leader in the avocado industry, is proud to exhibit at Asia Fruit Logistica 2025.

“The appetite for avocados in Asia is growing rapidly, making this an exciting time to collaborate with customers and partners to develop the category,” says Hans Boyum, Customer Director, Developing Markets, in the recent release. “Our diverse production footprint across Africa and South America gives customers confidence in our ability to deliver consistently high-quality avocados year-round.”

Westfalia Fruit has been supplying avocados from Chile, Peru, and Colombia into Asian markets for over eight years. Peru, in particular, has seen strong growth in Japan, South Korea, and China. More recently, market access has expanded to include African origins such as South Africa and Tanzania—an exciting development that enhances supply flexibility and complements existing sources.

“Over time, we’ve gained valuable insights and a deep appreciation for the region,” Hans adds. “We’re eager to share our learnings and firsthand experience with customers and demonstrate how we can support growth in this dynamic category.”

Combining global expertise with strong regional partnerships and local insights, Westfalia Fruit delivers sustainably sourced, premium avocados. The company’s commitment to quality and innovation is reflected in a diverse offering, from fresh avocados to convenient formats including frozen avocado and guacamole, designed to meet the evolving needs of Asian consumers.

At Asia Fruit Logistica, visitors will have the opportunity to meet Westfalia Fruit colleagues from South America and South Africa and explore the extended product range. In addition to avocados and avocado-based convenience products ideal for the foodservice market, Westfalia also offers cherries, citrus, blueberries, and mangos.

Visit Westfalia Fruit in Hall 5, Stand 5R45.

DENVER, CO - U.S. retail sales of potatoes remained strong from July 2024 to June 2025, with total volume increasing 2.3%, reflecting sustained consumer demand for this versatile, nutrient-dense vegetable. Notably, volume sales were 13% higher than the comparable period from July 2018 to June 2019, indicating greater demand than before the pandemic. Dollar sales remained relatively stable during July 2024–June 2025, dipping just 0.5% to $19.86 billion, according to the organization's recent report.

Sales volume increases were driven by fresh (2.6%), frozen (3.7%), and deli-prepared sides (1.6%). At the same time, potato chip volume sales were stable (0.2%), and volume sales modestly declined for dehydrated (-2.0%), refrigerated (-0.4%), and canned potatoes (-1.1%).

The modest decrease in dollar sales (-0.5%) was driven by a 2.7% decrease in the average consumer price per pound of all potatoes compared to last year. Only refrigerated potatoes (1.6%), deli-prepared sides (2.8%), and canned potatoes (0.4%) saw consumer price increases. As a result, most potato categories saw a modest decrease in dollar sales except for refrigerated potatoes (1.2%) and deli-prepared sides (4.4%).

Among fresh potatoes, volume sales increased from the prior year for russets (4.0%), yellow (5.5%), petite (7.8%), and fingerling potatoes (1.5%). Sales volume fell for red (-11%), white (-4%), and purple potatoes (-5.5%). The average consumer price per pound of fresh potatoes decreased 5.6% compared to the year prior, driving a modest decrease in all fresh potato dollar sales by 3.2%. Russets saw the largest price drop (-11.8%), followed by white potatoes (-7.6%) and petite potatoes (-3.2%).

Volume sales increased for fresh potatoes sold in bulk, bags (representing 87% of fresh potato sales), and trays. Within the bagged category, the following pack sizes increased in volume sales: under one to under two pounds (7.2%), two to four pounds (10.5%), eight pounds (17.8%), and 10 pounds (3.6%).

Circana (IRI) compiles these figures by working directly with retailers. Potatoes USA accepts no liability for the content of these reports or the consequences of any actions taken based on any information contained herein. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.

ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Zespri has released its first full forecast for the 2025/26 season, with it on track to deliver strong value back to growers.

Zespri CEO Jason Te Brake says in a recent release that the forecast reflects the strong start to the season, with average per-hectare returns forecast to reach record levels for all categories other than SunGold and Organic Green.

“Our latest forecast is positive news for growers in a season with even more fruit to sell, with sales tracking well across our key markets, including through the traditionally more competitive summer fruit season.

“It’s been encouraging to see Europe and North America performing strongly, with Europe a particular standout with more than two million trays sold each week for the past 13 weeks. To support this demand, additional fruit has been reallocated to these markets from Asia, where local economic conditions have been more challenging.”

“We’re also closely monitoring our progress in China, where macroeconomic conditions and sales rates are softer and where we have around 20% more inventory than preferred, with our team focused on selling fruit quickly with less summer fruit in the market.”

At a per tray level, forecast returns have lifted from the June forecast for all categories other than SunGold and Sweet Green, which remain within the indicative ranges provided in June.

Mr Te Brake says as Zespri moves through the summer fruit period and into the second half of the sales season, it remains focused on finishing the season strongly and maximising value returned to growers.

Mr Te Brake noted the industry’s results gave it a strong platform for the future, with work underway on resetting Zespri’s 10-year plan to deliver ongoing value to growers.

“Our previous 10-year plan saw us targeting $4.5 billion in sales by 2025. With that fulfilled, our focus now shifts to how we remain future-fit in a global environment that will be more competitive and more complex than the environment we have been operating in previously.

“With this in mind, our 2035 ambition is focused on being the world’s healthiest fruit brand with our approach to be built around three key priorities – unleashing brand-led demand, transforming our global supply, and creating the product portfolio of the future and executing them well. We’re in the process of finalising that strategy and setting ourselves up for the future to continue to deliver leading value back to our growers.”

See the full release here.

GOODLETTSVILLE, TN - Dollar General Corporation announced the appointment of Donny Lau to serve as executive vice president and chief financial officer effective October 20, 2025, following the departure of current CFO Kelly Dilts on August 28, 2025. In the interim, Dollar General’s chief executive officer, Todd Vasos, will serve as the principal financial officer. Lau previously held roles of increasing responsibility at Dollar General from 2017-2023.

“I am excited to welcome Donny back to Dollar General as our next CFO,” said Vasos in a recent release. “Donny’s deep understanding of our business, culture, and values, and his impressive financial leadership and experience uniquely position him to drive excellence and create long-term shareholder value. I have full confidence in his ability to guide our financial organization forward.”

Lau will return to Dollar General with more than six years of previous employment experience with the Company. He has most recently served as Chief Financial Officer of Zaxby’s Franchising LLC since July 2023. Prior to his departure from Dollar General in July 2023, Lau served in roles of increasing responsibility within Dollar General’s Finance department, including Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Strategy Officer (April 2023 to July 2023); Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer (September 2022 to April 2023); Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy (October 2019 to September 2022); and Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development (March 2017 to October 2019).

Prior to joining Dollar General, Lau served in various financial planning, investor relations, and corporate strategy roles of increasing responsibility with Yum! Brands, Inc. from 2011-2017.

Prior to Yum!, Lau also served as Vice President, Investment Banking, with Morgan Keegan & Company and as Vice President, Investment Banking at Morgan Joseph.