Supply of Boniato--a sweet potato with dry, white flesh and pink to purple skin--is below expectations out of Florida currently. “It is however building and we should see good levels of it soon. The supply is somewhat lower than last year at this time,” said Manny Hevia, president/owner of M&M Farms.
The potato is grown in Florida year-round, largely in the South Florida region, a region that has seen very high temperatures in 2023, even by Florida standards. In recent years, Boniato has become a significant commercial crop in Florida to meet increasing demand from a growing Latin American population in Southern Florida.
Strong winter demand
That said, while demand is average right now, it is increasing. “Trends in consumption each year are quite similar. From November all the way through March, there’s increased demand,” says Hevia. That means pricing is steady and has actually increased from a few months ago. “We do expect some upward movement as the colder climate comes into play.”
Along with its steady supply of Boniato, M&M Farms grows and ships a number of tropical and Latin produce items and is awaiting the start of harvesting its two newest products, Longans and Sapodillo. That start is expected imminently.
For more information:
Darlene Zeh
M & M Farms Inc.
Tel: +1 (305) 233-8224
[email protected]
https://m-mfarm.com/