In this timely episode of the Global Fresh Series, we sit down with Ron Lemaire, President of the Canadian Fresh Produce Association, for a candid conversation on one of the most challenging years the global fresh produce industry has faced in recent memory.

Ron reflects on the realities of 2025—marked by shifting tariffs, trade uncertainty, and geopolitical pressures—and how these forces reshaped supply chains and business strategies across borders. He also shares how new partnerships were forged, existing relationships strengthened, and innovative approaches adopted to keep fresh produce moving despite the headwinds.

Who was Joseph Banks before he became the most powerful botanist in the British Empire? How did a wealthy, restless young man turn a childhood fascination with weeds into a scientific obsession that would reshape global agriculture? And why did one cold, miserable voyage to Newfoundland prove to be the spark that launched a world-changing career?

Join John and Patrick as they begin a brand-new multi-part series on Joseph Banks, tracing his early life from privileged English estates to the edge of the North Atlantic - and setting the stage for the voyages that would transform science, empire, and the history of fresh produce.

----------

In Sponsorship with J&K Fresh.

The customs broker who is your fruit and veggies’ personal bodyguard. Learn more here!

-----------

Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.

Support us!

1. Share this episode with your friends
2. Give a 5-star rating
3. Write a review

-----------

Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more.

-----------

Instagram, TikTok, Threads:

@historyoffreshproduce

Email: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com

In today’s episode of The Produce Industry Podcast, host Patrick Kelly breaks down one of the most pressing issues facing California citrus growers this season: the unexpected surge in mandarin fruit drop.

With a lighter crop already forecasted, above‑average rain, persistent fog, and rising fungal pressure have created a perfect storm in the groves — and growers across the Northern Central Valley are feeling the impact. Patrick unpacks the science, the weather patterns, the market implications, and the real‑world decisions growers are making right now to protect their operations.

From Fungal stress to delayed harvest windows, from packout concerns to pricing shifts, this episode gives you a clear, grounded look at what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what the industry needs to prepare for as the 2025–26 season unfolds.

Website: www.aglifemedia.com

Mobile App: app.theproduceindustrypodcast.com