Industry Trends | Produce Marketing Association

PMA is your gateway to solutions, strategies, and knowledge about the produce industry. We strive to offer you the information you need to increase the success and profitability of your business. If you don’t see the information you need contact the PMA Information Resource Center.

Labor Issues

The Economic Research Service Report Summary on U.S. Produce Industry and Labor was released in November 2010 . This is an issue that can affect many of our grower/shippers. Stricter laws could reduce the flow of unauthorized workers into the U.S. Rising wages could prompt the development and adoption of labor aids and mechanical harvesters. To learn more about this issue read the full report.

The Cost of the Recommended Daily Servings of Fresh Produce

To address misperceptions that fresh produce is expensive, PMA commissioned The Perishables Group to evaluate the cost of achieving the recommended nine daily servings of fruits and vegetables… and we discovered what a healthy value fresh produce is, all year long! This industry trends research report and summary is chock full of national, regional and seasonal information to help industry communicate with consumers about fresh produce’s year-round great value and how fruits and vegetables can help them shop and prepare meals affordably.

Commodity Trends

PMA is delighted to bring you Produce Retailer's monthly series "Category Spotlight" which highlights a different produce commodity each month. This research was completed by The Perishables Group.

For general commodity information, please refer to PMA's I Know Produce.

Economy

Trying to predict the future is next to impossible, especially with a global economy beset with debt crises in the two major markets (U. S. and Europe), natural disasters such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and political unrest throughout the Arab world.

Our industry in constantly evolving. It is changing in terms of globalization, sophistication and technology. The world is our market and the global economy affects our work every day. Here are Nancy Tucker's 2011 key trends and their impact on the fresh produce industry.

Economic Reach and Impact of the Fresh Produce and Floral Industry in the United States

With specific information by state and congressional district, PMA’s Economic Reach and Impact of the Fresh Produce and Floral Industry study is a valuable resource to illustrate the impact of the produce industry in the U.S. economy. Are you leveraging this information to influence policymakers, industry leaders, and others to move the industry forward?

Foodservice Trends

What's Hot in 2011

This study, with professional chefs who are members of the American Culinary Federation, discusses foods, beverages, cuisines and culinary themes that will be hot trends on restaurant menus in 2011. The What’s Hot in 2011 survey was conducted in the fall of 2010 with more than 1,500 chefs. All copyrights belong to the National Restaurant Association.

Produce Opportunities in Foodservice

In 2009, PMA, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) and the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) initiated a research project designed to identify new opportunities for produce in the foodservice arena. This study and the Executive Think Tank that followed identified five strategies to achieve an ambitious goal to increase the use of fresh produce in the foodservice sector over the next 10 years.

Retail Trends

What will be driving your sales in the future - off-shelf displays, in-store sampling, shopping list apps? Well take some time to read the Shopper Marketing 4.0. This research report put together by GMA and Booz & Co. gives plenty of options to retailers on how to drive results.

Global Trends

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates global citrus production and trade to be down 5% January 2010 to July 2010. (Report dated July 2010.)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates fresh deciduous fruit production to be unchanged from December 2009 forecast except pears which are down 1%. (Report dated June 2010)

U.S. Industry Reports

Need the latest information on food safety, market segments, consumption, or any other industry issue? You’ll find it right here.

US Fresh Produce Organics Sales and Production (10/30/2009) is an overview of the United States' organic market.
Produce Marketing Association 2009 United States Fresh Produce Consumption Report (09/29/2009) shows the state of per capita consumption of fresh produce in the US, how it has changed, and what it could mean to you.
2010 Produce Promotional Organization Directory (05/22/2010) lists promotional organizations and their contact information within the produce industry.

Sustainability

Sustainability – defined as planet (environmental sustainability), people (social and worker sustainability), and prosperity (economic sustainability) - is a growing trend in the fresh produce industry. To help you better understand this issue, PMA offers you access to its industry research.