The Produce Reporter’s Week in Review shifts to written format after the departure of my video partner, Pamela Riemenschneider. If you’re missing them too much, you can find hundreds in our YouTube archive.
Here are some stories worth reviewing if you missed them this week:
Tariffs U.S. pauses tariffs on Canada, keeps them on China – Produce Blue Book
One of the biggest stories this week for the produce industry, if not the broader world economy, is President Trump’s pause of the tariffs he proposed on Mexico and Canada. Trump came to agreements with both countries’ presidents to pause the 25 percent tariffs on their exports to the United States for 30 days in exchange for both agreeing to deploy military personnel to their borders to fight illegal immigration and drug smuggling.
Considering that Mexico is the No.1 fruit and vegetable exporter to the United States, and Canada is No. 4, the tariffs would have created massive import problems in our industry and likely led to food inflation, at least in the short term.
The International Fresh Produce Association BB #:378962 plans to hold a webinar today for members on the latest information about tariffs.
Walmart Walmart buys mall outside Pittsburgh – Produce Blue Book
Walmart BB #:143789 bought a Pittsburgh-area mall this week. The $34 million sale was announced without a buyer last week, but we found out it was the giant retailer. The company that worked with Walmart said it’s going to be a mixed-use, retail-driven project, which doesn’t tell us much, but we can presume the mall will be getting a Walmart store in some format.
Restaurant growth NRA report projects restaurant industry to grow in jobs, sales in 2025 – Produce Blue Book
The National Restaurant Association released its 2025 State of the Restaurant Industry report which shows members expect to add 200,000 jobs this year and grow sales to $1.5 trillion.
The report shows more than 8 in 10 operators expect their 2025 sales to be either higher or about the same as 2024, despite the fact that restaurant operators expect competitive pressures to intensify in 2025.
Consumers say they would eat at restaurants more if they had more money, so I think there’s optimism for a better economy and more money for consumers to spend with a new presidential administration.
Wonderful Seedless Lemons Wonderful Seedless Lemons launches national campaign – Produce Blue Book
The Wonderful Company’s Seedless Lemons BB #:115157 launched its first-ever national, multi-million-dollar marketing campaign, “Lemons With Seeds Are Annoying,” with a series of eight short humorous commercials you can see here. Lemons With Seeds Are Annoying – YouTube
Seeds in lemons are annoying but surely not more annoying than this lemon character’s shenanigans.
Super Bowl LIX super bowl Archives – Produce Blue Book
Plenty of retailers, from Aldi to Kroger to Natural Grocers, have publicized their savings for Super Bowl parties, and a Wells Fargo report shows overall price increases are merely 0.1 percent above last year on a handful of typical party favorites. Wells Fargo: Consumers see 0.1% price increase in Super Bowl food supplies this year – Produce Blue Book
Unfortunately, avocados are among the items up over last year, at 11.5 percent, but fans should still find plenty of them at retail for their guacamole.
Sports media has covered the Kansas City Chiefs fatigue, as football fans may be getting tired of seeing the same team in the game for the fifth time in six years, but as a fan of such team, I will never be tired of the glory years or take them for granted.
It’s OK to root for the favorite!
