A retaliatory tariff on California grapes imposed last year by Mexico in response to a U.S. ban on cross-border trucking cost the industry $43 million in 2009, and industry leaders as well as a congressional coalition are pushing hard to get the situation resolved before the start of the 2010 grape season, according to Barry Bedwell, president of the California Grape & Tree Fruit League in Fresno, CA. "We now have the numbers from 2009 on fresh grapes that really show the impact of that 45 percent tariff," said Mr. Bedwell. "We had estimated that we could lose 75 percent of our market, and in

VISALIA, CA -- Notwithstanding the current state of the economy in California and nationwide, California Citrus Mutual's annual Citrus Showcase, held here March 4, saw near-capacity attendance for the luncheon and sold- out exhibit space for the trade show. Furthermore, there is a waiting list for exhibitors who hope to participate in future Citrus Showcase trade shows, according to Joel Nelsen, president of CCM. In addition to visiting trade show booths and attending the luncheon, attendees had the opportunity to participate in seminar sessions dealing with two of the more serious threats

Citing the destruction of infrastructure in Chile as a result of the massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake on Feb. 27, a coalition of Delaware River port operators has petitioned U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for a suspension of the April 10 date that regulates the importation of Chilean grapes by the United States. Members of the Desert Grape Growers League of California, however, are opposed to such a move. According to a March 9 press release from the Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia, a petition signed by representatives of the Philadelphia, Gloucester City

It's a welcome change for California avocado growers and retailers alike. After two successive years of light California crops, the 2010 crop has a heavy set and is estimated at a volume two and a half to three times that of the 2009 crop. Due to a variety of reasons, last year's crop came in at just 170 million pounds, one of the smallest in years. This year, the California Avocado Commission's official estimate as of late February called for a 2010 harvest of 470 million pounds, although some shippers think it could top 500 million and others expect it to be closer to 225 million. So volumes

The National Apple Month program announced the winners of the fall 2009 National Apple Month retail and military display contests. The annual contest, which jump-starts the domestic apple industry's marketing season, provided retailers and the apple industry with increased sales and gave consumers easy access to great-tasting, good-for-you apples and partner products of Marzetti Caramel Apple Dips, Smucker's natural peanut butter and JIF natural peanut butter. "The contest continues to deliver a promotional marketing event to kick-start the domestic apple industry's marketing season and allows

TAMPA, FL - By any and all accounts, the Southeast Produce Council's 2010 Retail and Foodservice Conference & Expo, held here March 4-6, was a major success, drawing more people to the event than ever before. "If I were to ballpark [overall attendance], it would be in the 1,300 range," SPC Executive Director Terry Vorhees told The Produce News following the conclusion of the event, also known as Southern Exposure. Last year's conference and expo, also in Tampa, drew about 1,150. The numbers for the retail and foodservice attendees are equally impressive, rising to 241 this year from 178 last