Vision Imports Says El Niño Having Potential Effects on South American Mangos

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Vision Imports says El Niño having potential effects on South American mangos

September 25, 2015

The Vision companies — Vision Import Group in River Edge, NJ, and Vision Produce Co. in Los Angeles — are separate companies that do business in slightly different ways. But they share unified national distribution which enables both to market their brands nationwide.

Both companies market “Van Gogh” mangos, and “Mojito,” “Havana” and “Mr. Squeeze” limes. Vision Produce Co. also sells limes under the “Bonito” and “Logger” brands. Vision Import Group markets products to customers east of the Mississippi River, and Vision Produce Co. handles the

western portion of the nation. The Vision Cos. market ‘Van Gogh’ mangos.

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“Kiss Mangos” is Vision Import Group’s new brand of Palmer variety mangos that it will initially market on the East Coast.

Ronnie Cohen, vice president of sales for Vision Import Group, told The Produce News that mangos from Brazil started running in mid-August.

“This program runs through October,” said Cohen. “Then we transition into mangos from Ecuador which continues through the end of the year. Then we begin our Peruvian mango program.”

The company handles numerous mango varieties, including Tommy Atkins, Kent, Haden, Keitt, Ataulfo, Nam Doc Mai and Palmer.

Cohen explained that every year is a challenge when you’re dealing with the production of fresh produce, but this year the El Niño weather system is creating potentially more extreme issues than normal.

“El Niño has reared its head and caused some issues early in the floration process,” he explained. “And in some areas it has affected general production. The full affect is not known at this time, but it appears there are some delayed harvests and projected to have some lower than historical volumes.”

Cohen added that if El Niño doesn’t affect the crop too badly, the company is projecting an increase in its seasonal volumes compared to prior years.

“Mother Nature will decide for us soon enough,” he pointed out.

Cohen also announced that the company has hired Omar Duarte to head its new tropical division.

“Omar will focus on root items from Central and South America,” said Cohen. “He will also be specializing in plantains for us. We are glad to have him on board as we look to expand our commodity base to diversify our total portfolio of fresh products that we offer.”

Bill Vogel is the president and chief executive officer of Vision Produce Co. He partners with Cohen and Raul Millan, executive vice president of Vision Import Group.

The companies are proud of their seamless movement on orders while providing the highest possible quality and service on their well-known proprietary brands.

Cohen stressed that both companies are committed to the best possible customer service.

“And key to that is flawless communication,” he said. “There are too many variables when you’re dealing with fresh produce that we don’t have control over. Communication is imperative in keeping our customers informed of any issues and in helping them when they have needs.”