Florida brings fresh strawberries to Puerto Rico

Mar 27, 2015

Deal struck with 41 Walmart and Amigo stores

After a recent visit to Puerto Rico on trade-related business, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced a partnership between the two that will see “Fresh From Florida” strawberries appear in 41 Walmart and Amigo stores on the island.

The addition of the stores in Puerto Rico brings the numbers to about 60 retailers in 27 countries, equalling around 4,700 stores globally that have “Fresh From Florida” strawberries in their produce departments.

“International promotions are a unique opportunity to showcase a wide range of Florida fruits and vegetables,” Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam said. “These events show people across the globe that nothing is better than ‘Fresh From Florida.'

As a top producer of oranges and other produce items, international agriculture exports are an important part of the Sunshine State’s economy. They’re responsible for about $4 billion in cash receipts, making it the 8^th largest ag-exporter in the United States. As a result, Florida has been looking at ways to expand the “Fresh From Florida” brand to other parts of the Caribbean, Central and South America. With the Panama Canal due to be completed next year, Florida’s agricultural exports could be more important than ever.

In 2014, Florida’s agricultural exports to the Caribbean grew by about 7%, equalling $1.1 billion and almost 75% of total American ag-related exports to the Caribbean were from Florida.

Join the discussion and tell us the kinds of opportunities these partnerships in the Caribbean could open for farmers in Florida. If you are a farmer from Florida, will this change the kinds of crops or produce you grow?

Strawberries
Valentyn Volkov
Shutterstock.com

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.