Global Produce Show Opens Amid Shopper Shifts

At the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando, exhibitors and retail experts focused on how convenience, health, costs and shifting shopping habits are reshaping the produce business. Show-floor launches included ready-to-eat and snack-oriented products, while exhibitors also discussed tariffs, rising input costs and international opportunities. Consumer data presented at the event showed households paying substantially more for food than in 2020 and increasingly buying what they need rather than stocking up; shoppers also favor quick meal solutions and versatile products. Traditional grocery stores have lost fresh-produce market share since 2022 as e-commerce and alternative retailers gain ground, and food-safety recalls have prompted many shoppers to change their purchasing behavior. Speakers also highlighted differences across generations and the importance of freshness, quality and convenience alongside price.