Produce Pointers

Also, PACA says that once the (receiving company) splits up the order, they now own the product. Please advise. ANSWEREven though these peppers were sold as part of a...

By Doug Nelson
March 13, 2025

Also, PACA says that once the (receiving company) splits up the order, they now own the product. Please advise.

ANSWER
Even though these peppers were sold as part of a single order, they are clearly distinguishable lots which would each be required, separately, to meet contract specifications, i.e. make good arrival at the contract destination in Georgia. So, you cannot rely on a good lot of peppers to save a bad one—each will be judged independently. And while it is true that your customer accepted this shipment of peppers (the reds and the yellows) when it unloaded the reds at its warehouse, thereby losing the right to reject, this does not mean your customer is without recourse. After accepting produce, if the buyer can establish a breach of the sales agreement, it may properly claim damages it can show resulted from the breach.

Your questions? Yes, send them in. Legal answers? No, industry knowledgeable answers. If you have questions or would like further information, email tradingassist@bluebookservices.com.

Doug Nelson is vice president of the Special Services department at Blue Book Services. Nelson previously worked as an investigator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and as an attorney specializing in commercial litigation.

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