Produce industry headlines: October 2, 2026

Good afternoon! It’s Friday, October 2, 2026. Here’s what’s happening in produce and grocery today.

Links today include traditional grocers’ threat in Costco, grocery delivery and pickup leaders, retailers using private label more strategically, a Weekend Interview with Kristen Reid, backlash against a new ag wage rate, and Mexico bans some avocado exports.

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

Top Stories

The Friday Checkout: Has Costco become grocery’s biggest threat?

The club retailer is proving to be a bigger threat to traditional grocery, as recent developments raising alarm bells for them.

Target, Safeway win in grocery delivery, pickup

Ipsos North America research shows Target as the top-performing retailer for grocery delivery and Safeway as the leader in curbside pickup.

Private label brands embrace own identities in packaging design

Retailers are showing they understand their customers’ priorities by using store brand packaging more strategically.

Weekend Interview: Kristen Reid, Mixtec Group

The produce industry has unique perks and challenges, is it more difficult to recruit for leadership opportunities? We ask Kristen all about it.

New Ag Wage Increase Triggers Strong Backlash From Farm Groups

California agriculture groups say the wage hike will likely raise price and further stress consumers struggling with food affordability.

Mexico bans exports of avocados grown in orchards located in deforested areas

Effective October 1, Mexico’s Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) will not allow exports of avocados grown in orchards in deforested areas, focusing on Michoacán and Jalisco.