Importer Insight

Feeding the Future Mangoes with Michael Warren of CAPCO Farms

In this episode of Importer Insight, I sit down with Michael Warren of Capco Farms—one of the most respected names in the produce industry.With nearly 50 years of experience and a third-generation legacy behind him, Michael shares what it really takes to build a successful mango program and why his focus has remained on delivering quality fruit that supports healthier lives.From family roots in produce to specializing in mangoes, this conversation dives into the realities of the business, the evolution of the market, and the responsibility of “feeding the future.”If you’re in produce, retail, foodservice—or simply care about where your food comes from—this is a conversation worth listening to.🌐 Learn more about Capco Farms: http://capcofarms.comChapters00:00 The Legacy of a Produce Family03:11 Developing Central American Agriculture05:48 Innovations in Crop Exporting08:14 The Rise of Snow Peas in Guatemala10:43 Honeydew Melons and Market Expansion13:18 The Mango Journey Begins15:53 Mango Varieties and Preferences18:31 Understanding Mango Cultivation21:23 The Complexity of the Mexican Mango Season24:35 The Mango Market Dynamics27:46 Marketing Strategies for Mangoes31:11 Food Safety and Sustainability in Agriculture34:45 Labor Challenges and Social Responsibility37:57 Future of the Mango Industry43:23 Advice for Future Generations in Produce48:49 Conclusion to Importer Insight and Michael's Work49:16 Importer Insight Disclaimer#ImporterInsight #FreshProduce #Mangoes #ProduceIndustry #ImportExport #SupplyChain #HealthyLiving

Grape Futures and Crisp Truths with Tony Morimoto

Grapes might be one of the most misunderstood—and overlooked—categories in produce.In this episode of Importer Insight, I sit down with Tony Morimoto from The Kunkel Company for a real, unfiltered conversation about the grape industry.Tony brings a rare mix of experience, honesty, and humor—and he doesn’t hold back.We get into:• What’s actually driving today’s grape market• Where the industry gets it wrong• The realities behind quality, shelf life, and supply• The impact of imports and seasonality• And what the future of grape varieties really looks likeIf you’re in produce, retail, or foodservice—or just want the real inside view of how this category works—this episode is for you.🔗 Learn more:Molly Pop Grapes → https://mollypopgrapes.com/The Kunkel Company → https://www.kunkelco.com/Trading Produce (Substack) → https://substack.com/@tradingproduce📌 About Importer InsightImporter Insight breaks down global trade, fresh produce markets, and supply chain realities from an importer’s perspective—real conversations, real insights, no fluff.⏱ Chapters00:00 Intro: Why Grapes Are One of the Most Misunderstood Categories03:30 Too Many Varieties? The Real Challenge in Grapes06:07 What Consumers Actually Want (And What They Don’t Say)09:02 Quality vs Shelf Life: The Constant Trade-Off11:32 Seasonality, Imports, and Market Shifts Explained14:18 What Caused Last Season’s Grape Market Collapse17:04 The Future of Grape Varieties & Changing Trends26:31 Harvesting & Storage: Where Things Go Wrong29:05 Mexican Grapes: Opportunity or Disruption?30:33 Brix Explained: The Truth Behind Sweetness Claims32:14 Launching Trading Produce on Substack33:43 USDA Pricing: Transparency or Confusion?36:22 Communication Breakdowns in Grape Imports39:39 The Molly Pop Brand Vision 🍇44:09 Hard Lessons from the Produce Industry48:41 Final Thoughts: Where the Grape Industry Is Headed49:06 Importer Insight Disclaimer | Industry Insights, Not Financial Advice👍 If you got value from this:Like 👍Subscribe 🔔Share with someone in the industry

Food Operators Under Attack and How Fraud Is Hitting the Produce Supply Chain

Fraud in the fresh produce industry is rising — and it’s becoming more targeted, more organized, and harder to spot.In this episode of Importer Insight, I sit down with Dante Galeazzi, President and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association, to break down what’s really happening inside the produce supply chain. From buyer impersonation and truck broker fraud to internal phishing and payment scams, we talk through how food operators are being targeted — and what companies can do to protect themselves.This conversation was recorded months ago, but its relevance has only grown. Since then, more industry leaders have begun speaking out, enforcement activity has increased, and awareness is finally spreading. If you work in produce, logistics, importing, exporting, or food operations, this is a discussion you need to hear.In this episode, we cover:The most common fraud schemes hitting the produce industryHow scammers impersonate buyers, brokers, and even internal staffWhy fraud thrives in fast-moving food supply chainsWhat warning signs companies often missPractical steps food operators can take right nowThis episode is about awareness, prevention, and protecting the people who keep food moving every day.🔗 Read the full article on Importer Insight Substackwww.importerinsight.comTakeawaysFraud in the produce industry is a significant and growing concern.Fraudsters are knowledgeable about industry practices and exploit them.Companies must increase awareness and vigilance against fraud.Extreme due diligence is necessary when dealing with new sellers.Referrals are crucial for verifying the legitimacy of business partners.Law enforcement often lacks the resources to address fraud cases effectively.Industry collaboration is essential for sharing information about fraud patterns.Reporting fraud incidents can help build a repository of information.The I-95 corridor is a hotspot for stolen produce.Companies need to advocate for better support from authorities.Chapters00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcIOsW2uS4Y] Understanding Fraud in the Produce Industry12:04 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcIOsW2uS4Y&t=724s] Preventing Fraud: Best Practices and Recommendations16:45 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcIOsW2uS4Y&t=1005s] The Role of Law Enforcement and Industry Collaboration23:56 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcIOsW2uS4Y&t=1436s] Disclaimer#ImporterInsight [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/importerinsight] #ProduceIndustry [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/produceindustry] #FoodSupplyChain [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/foodsupplychain] #FraudPrevention [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/fraudprevention] #ProduceImports [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/produceimports] #Logistics [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/logistics] #FoodSafety [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/foodsafety]

Avocado Takeover: How Colombian Avocados Are Changing the U.S. Market

The Avocado Takeover is here. Colombian avocados are rapidly reshaping the U.S. market — doubling exports, creating tens of thousands of jobs, and giving Mexico serious competition.In this episode of Importer Insight, host Amanda Horney sits down with Manuel Michel, Executive Director of the Colombian Avocado Board, to reveal:🚢 How Colombian avocados are entering the U.S. at record pace🌎 Why sustainability + microclimates give Colombia a unique advantage💰 The impact of tariffs and price stability on U.S. retailers📈 Projected growth — 300M lbs of Colombian avocados by 2029🥑 What this means for importers, buyers, and consumers nationwideWhether you’re in the produce industry or just a guacamole lover, this deep dive will change how you look at the avocado aisle.✨ Don’t miss out — hit subscribe for more insider insights on global produce trade!00:00 Introduction to Colombian Avocados and Manuel Michel02:37 The Growth of Colombian Avocados in the Market05:23 Sustainability Practices in Colombian Agriculture08:00 Market Access and Membership of the Colombian Avocado Board10:45 Seasonality and Volume of Colombian Avocado Exports13:24 Market Share Growth and Future Projections16:14 Diverse Markets and Shipping Strategies18:50 Impact on Local Communities and Job Creation21:40 Innovative Uses of Avocados in Colombia24:17 Challenges of Tariffs on Colombian Avocados26:47 Conclusion and Future Outlook for Colombian Avocados29:30 Disclaimer📌 Support the show & unlock exclusive content:👉 Join me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ImporterInsight📌 Stay connected:Follow Importer Insight on LinkedIn & our website.https://importerinsight.com/Contact Manuel Michel & the Colombian Avocado Board https://avocadoscolombia.com/#AvocadoTakeover #ImporterInsight #ProduceIndustry #ColombianAvocados #Trade

Avocado Visionary Giovanni Cavaletto on Fair Trade, Innovation, and the Jalisco Edge

In this episode of Importer Insight, host Amanda Horney welcomes Giovanni Cavaletto, U.S. Division President of GLC Cerritos, for a deep dive into the future of the avocado industry. Raised on an avocado and lemon farm and now leading U.S. operations for one of Mexico’s top exporters, Giovanni shares insights on: * The rise of Jalisco in global avocado trade * What makes the Mendez variety a strategic game-changer * The impact of Fair Trade certification on farmworker communities * Farming innovations like electrostatic pollination (BloomX) * How GLC Cerritos is achieving 3x the industry yield average * His vision for sustainability, growth, and industry leadership We also discuss Giovanni’s candidacy for the MHAIA Board of Directors and what’s at stake for the future of avocado marketing in the U.S. 🔗 Want more exclusive importer content? Join Amanda’s Patreon community: patreon.com/ImporterInsight [https://patreon.com/ImporterInsight] #AvocadoIndustry #ImporterInsight #GiovanniCavaletto #FairTrade #JaliscoAvocados #ProduceLeadership #GlobalTrade #MHAIA #GLCCerritos