UNITED STATES & MEXICO - With some areas of California topping 100°F, crops are certainly feeling the heat. Iceberg lettuce, a staple for most households, restaurants, and schools, is seeing a strong market due to back-to-school demand and lower yields in the fields.

According to the USDA’s August 20, 2025, National FOB Review, Iceberg in cartons film-lined 24s at California crossings are priced between 29.00 and 36.50, with most sales ranging between 32.00 and 34.00.

At Mexico crossings, the prices were significantly lower, ranging between 19.00 and 22.00, with most sales ranging between 20.00 and 21.00.

The Source noted that California weather is not expected to shift much in the coming weeks. It outlined that “moderate high pressure combined with marine layer conditions will keep temperatures near to slightly above average through mid-next week.”

Stick with ANUK for more coverage across categories.

OXNARD, CA - Sweet, vibrant, and irresistibly versatile, premium mangos aren’t just a fruit—they’re an opportunity to drive sales and customer loyalty. Just ask Gary Clevenger, Managing Partner, Freska Produce International. With a career steeped in category differentiation, Gary joins me to discuss movement and supply within the segment and what we can expect as the summer moves toward September.

“The mango season is moving along, and overall volume has been solid compared to past years. Mexico has carried the bulk of supply through the summer, and quality on late-season fruit like Keitt and Kent has been good,” Gary begins. “Timing has been a little smoother this year with less weather disruption, which has helped keep fruit moving at a steady pace.”

With August wrapping up, Mexico is starting to wind down, and Brazil is stepping in with fruit that will run into the fall for Freska. As Gary educates me, Ecuador will follow in October, and Peru will come later, although early signs indicate a lighter crop in Peru this year.

“These regional shifts bring some ups and downs with availability and pricing. When Mexico finishes, we could see things tighten up before Ecuador really gets going, which usually means stronger pricing for a stretch,” Gary explains. “On the challenges side, growers and shippers are dealing with the usual mix of weather, logistics, and labor. The 50 percent tariff on Brazilian mangos this month has added another wrinkle, raising costs and forcing some tough choices on where that fruit is headed. Logistics have been manageable but always competitive for refrigerated trucks and vessel space this time of year.”

To keep quality consistent, shippers are staying on top of temperature control and ripeness specs, making sure the fruit tastes good for the customer.

With such great quality and supply fueling consistent support for mango destinations, there are huge opportunities for retailers.

“A strong program should mix a round variety like Keitt or Kent with a yellow Ataulfos when available, so shoppers see the options,” Gary details. “Having ripened fruit on the shelf is key—it builds trust and drives repeat sales. Secondary displays work, too—pair mangos with limes, Tajín, or even yogurt and salsa kits. Little touches like that move volume.”

For a mango program at retail, the piece of the puzzle often overlooked is communication. As Gary describes, clear signage helps—“ripe now” or “ready tomorrow” gives shoppers confidence.

“A quick tip like ‘leave on the counter until slightly soft, then refrigerate,’ keeps the experience positive at home. Recipe cards, QR codes, or even simple shelf talkers go a long way, and don’t forget to remind people about the nutrition benefits—mangos are high in vitamin C and fiber,” Gary reminds me. “At the end of the day, mangos are a growth category if handled right. The supply picture is constantly changing, but with good planning, retailers can turn seasonal challenges into strong programs that keep shoppers coming back.”

As opportunities and insights continue to fuel growth in the mango category, keep checking back with your team at AndNowUKnow for more on the categories making the produce department the star of the retail show.

BENTONVILLE, AR - Walmart Inc. released its quarterly results in a recent release:

Second Quarter Highlights:

• Revenue of $177.4 billion, up 4.8%, or 5.6% (cc)
• Global eCommerce sales grew 25%, led by store-fulfilled pickup & delivery and marketplace
• Global advertising business grew 46%, including VIZIO; Walmart Connect in the U.S. up 31%
• Membership and other income up 5.4%, including 15.3% growth in membership income globally
• Gross margin rate up 4 bps, led by Walmart U.S.
• Operating income decreased $0.7 billion, or 8.2%, affected by discrete legal & restructuring costs; adjusted up 0.4% (cc) due to strong sales and continued execution on our financial framework; growth also affected ~560 bps from higher self-insured general liability claims expense
• Adjusted EPS of $0.68 excludes the effect, net of tax, of a net gain of $0.26 on equity and other investments, $0.05 from charges related to certain legal matters, and $0.01 from business restructuring charges
• ROA at 8.3%; ROI at 15.1%

The company will hold a live conference call with the investment community at 7 a.m. CST on Thursday, August 21, 2025, to discuss the company’s second-quarter earnings results for fiscal year 2026. The event will be webcast live and is accessible by visiting https://corporate.walmart.com/news/events and selecting the Second Quarter Earnings Release event. The webcast will be archived and available on the company website.

BRONX, NY - D’Arrigo New York is spotlighting the return of Eastern apples, encouraging retailers to lean into seasonality, freshness, and regional pride this fall in a recent press release shared by the company:

Eastern apples are back. This brings an opportunity to celebrate freshness, variety, and the value of supporting local farms. While national supply chains keep apples available year-round, there’s something special about produce grown in the Northeast and distributed through the market. For retailers, that local tie is a powerful message: these apples aren’t just nutritious, they’re a piece of New York.

Top Five Tips for Retailers:

1. Create Attention-Getting Displays

Highlight the seasonality by creating a dedicated apple destination in-store. Use baskets and signage highlighting "local" to attract attention.

2. Educate at the Shelf

Consumers love knowing the story. Add quick notes like “Perfect for lunchboxes” or “Ideal for baking” alongside each variety to help guide purchases and add value.

3. Encourage Trial with Sampling

Sampling drives trial of lesser-known varieties like Cortland or Empire.

4. Cross-Promote Seasonally

Tie apple promotions to back-to-school messaging. Pair displays with nut butters or caramel dips to boost basket size.

5. Leverage Local Pride

Remind shoppers that buying Eastern apples supports nearby farms.

D’Arrigo New York encourages retailers to lean into the moment. It’s more than a seasonal switch. It’s a chance to remind patrons that our food system is deeply tied to its region.

LEAMINGTON, ON - Nature Fresh Farms, a leading North American controlled environment agriculture (CEA) company, announced an exclusive partnership with Revol Greens that will enable the company's entry into the rapidly growing greenhouse-grown leafy greens market. The strategic alliance positions Nature Fresh to offer both organic and conventional packaged salads, leveraging Revol Greens' specialized growing expertise and state-of-the-art facilities.

The partnership represents a natural extension of Nature Fresh's vision to lead the advancement of controlled environment agriculture as a solution to the increasing challenges of feeding North America's growing population. Leafy greens, particularly packaged salads, represent a large and strategically important consumer segment with significant opportunities for CEA-based differentiation.

"This partnership with Revol Greens aligns perfectly with our strategic growth plans and reinforces our commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture solutions," said Patrick Criteser, CEO at Nature Fresh Farms, in the recent release. "The leafy greens segment offers tremendous potential for innovation and consumer value creation through controlled environment agriculture, and we're excited to bring our proven approach to this important market category."

The leafy greens market has experienced consistent growth driven by consumer demand for fresh, locally grown produce available year-round. By leveraging controlled environment agriculture, the partnership will deliver superior product quality and extended shelf life compared to traditional field-grown alternatives.

"Nature Fresh Farms brings exceptional brand recognition and market reach that perfectly complements Revol Greens' growing capabilities," said Dirk Aleven, President for Revol Greens. "This exclusive partnership creates a compelling value proposition for consumers seeking premium, sustainably grown leafy greens while positioning both companies for accelerated growth in the expanding CEA market."