Produce industry headlines: March 17, 2026

Good afternoon! It’s Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s what’s going on in fresh produce today.

Read retail news today on Kroger’s banana concerns, Harps’ southern acquisition, and scrutiny over electronic shelf labels, plus new tech in packaging, diesel tops $5/gallon, a sweet corn shortage, and more.

As always, have something to share? Send us your feedback at news@bluebookservices.com.

Top Stories

Kroger CEO focused on bananas, among other things

Sources say Kroger buys bananas through brokers rather than directly from growers, which frustrates new CEO Greg Foran.

Harps expands with 18-store acquisition

Harps Food Stores plans to acquire 18 stores from Dyer Foods, an independent retailer with locations across western Tennessee.

Grocers face state and federal lawmakers’ scrutiny over ‘surveillance’ pricing

Recently introduced bills across the country would restrict how retailers use consumer data to make pricing decisions and even ban electronic shelf labels.

Packaging Update: Emerging Tech

Smart packaging is changing the way perishable fruits and vegetables are protected, preserved, and sold across the industry.

Diesel Tops $5 a Gallon as War Disrupts Supply Chains

The nationwide average retail price for diesel reached $5.044 a gallon on March 16, according to the American Automobile Association, which puts it above $5 a gallon for the first time since December 2022, as the conflict in Iran disrupts the energy market.

U.S. sweet corn market is historically high

Sweet corn growers report that the freeze that hit Florida early February, while many were harvesting, could lead to losses up to 90 percent of their crops.

From Cranberries to Fresh-Cut: Bobby Chacko’s Mission to Brand the Produce Aisle

Bonduelle Americas CEO says the produce industry needs to build brands more like it’s done in CPG.