One Florida shipper is hoping its new state-based program will offer new opportunities for Florida mango and dragon fruit growers.
Seasons Farm Fresh based in Miami is launching a new program shipping tree-ripened mangoes and dragon fruit from Florida. “There are more than 200 varieties of mangoes grown in Florida and with this program, they would be picked, washed and packed in Florida. But we wouldn’t have to hot water treat them because they’re from the U.S.,” says Gabriel Bernal of Seasons Farm Fresh. “Tasting a tree-ripened mango versus a hot-water mango, there’s a significant difference in flavor profile. Any type of treatment of fruit impacts the flavor and ripening process.”
Seasons Farm Fresh is launching a new program shipping tree-ripened mangoes and dragon fruit from Florida.
Along with its newly expanded network of 20-25 mango growers, Seasons Farm Fresh has opened a warehouse in Homestead, Florida to size 6-12 count Florida mangoes for retail and, along with its own label, will offer private labeling options as well. Also, 50-lb bulk boxes will be available depending on variety and all farms and the pack house being used have been Primus GFS certified to comply with current food safety regulations.
Varieties available
Key shipping months for the fruit is June through August and while Seasons Farm Fresh will largely be shipping Tommy Atkins, Kent, Keitt, Valencia Pride and Alphonso mangoes, in total it will have between 10-12 varieties available.
At the same time, it’s also launching a dragon fruit program. Bernal notes that the first bulbs are emerging right now so within 55-60 days will be the first harvest. Seasons Farm Fresh plans to focus on primarily red skin/white fleshed dragon fruit--about 90 percent of what it plans to ship--with the remaining 10 percent being the red skin/red fleshed fruit. Shipping should start in the beginning of July and go until October and lower volume during January-February.
Key shipping months for the fruit is June through August.
“We’ve got a lot of interest in these programs from the Northeast, throughout the East Coast and Central Texas,” says Bernal, noting it’s in discussions with 7 to 10 retailers so far about programs. “We’re based in Miami and with everything that’s been happening with logistics, while things are starting to get better, there are still delays. Dominican mangoes for example, ships that used to come in three days now come in five to seven days. Doing all of this out of Florida and having a warehouse here means we’re able to have eyes on everything rather than solely rely on international shipments.”
Supporting the Florida industry
At the same time, Seasons Farm Fresh hopes to help rebuild the fruit industry in Florida. “There’s been a housing development boom that’s caused a lot of farmers to sell off their land because certain fruits are losing interest and unable to compete with Mexico on pricing and other key factors,” Bernal says. “So we’re supporting a lot of farmers who do want to retain their farms and not sell to different housing developments.”
Left: Alphonso mangoes; right: Bailey's Marvel mango
As for pricing, mango pricing will be premium pricing. “There will be a slight price increase over imported mangoes because we are a product of USA and because they’re tree-ripened,” says Bernal.
On dragon fruit pricing, given there is a small overlap with product from Ecuador, pricing will be level with the marketplace, likely in the $20-$30 range. It will also have limited supply of certified organic dragon fruit for retail consumption.
For more information:
Gabriel Bernal
Seasons Farm Fresh
Tel: +1 (305) 213-8087
gabe@seasonsfarmfresh.com
https://seasonsfarmfresh.com/