Strong start to okra season in Florida

Consumers wanting okra to grill on the barbecue or for pickling this summer will be seeing product coming from both Florida and Honduras. “Our main offshore program is from the Choluteca region of Honduras, and peaks in volume between November and May,” said Marc Holbik of Ecoripe Tropicals. “As local production here in Florida ramps up, our offshore program drops to minimal volume, and we bring by airfreight for special programs only.” Florida production started strong this season, with some farmers deciding to cut back volumes due to excessive supply. “Right now supply is good, with more volumes expected to come on in the next couple of weeks,” he added.

The biggest challenge faced is to be able to ship product consistently in good condition given the uncertainties of the weather, as okra is very sensitive to rain. “It takes a lot of timing and talent on the production side to meet the demands of the market,” noted Holbik.

Okra is truly a multicultural item, enjoyed in the cuisine of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. “We find a strong and growing demand in the Caribbean-American and Asian-American markets we supply,” Holbik said. “In addition to the traditional Clemson variety, we also now offer a longer, darker green variety preferred in the Indian-American market.”

For more information:
Marc Holbik
Ecoripe Tropicals
Email: marc@ecoripe.com
http://ecoripe.com