Northwest Fruit Exporters is hoping the latest World Trade Organization ruling that struck down Japan's import restrictions for U.S. apples as scientifically unjustified will hold the key to easing restrictions in other lucrative markets. "This is a solid victory for the U.S. apple industry," said U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman. The WTO panels clear and well-reasoned decision sets a scientifically based standard to be used by Japan and other countries. Japan has unfairly used unscientific restrictions to block U.S. apple exports for years. This is an important result for the U.S

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Sun World International LLC, one of California's largest vertically integrated agricultural corporations, announced July 1 the appointment of Bruce C. Burton as chief executive officer, effective July 18. Mr. Burton brings to Sun World an impressive track record of success in agribusiness. He spent 13 years with the Dole Food Co., including eight years as the group vice president of its North American Deciduous Group, with profit and loss responsibility for Dole's $130 million North American deciduous fruit business. Prior to that, he served for three years as director and

REEDLEY, CA -- Ballantine Produce Co. Inc., here, has introduced what it believes to be the industry's first color maturity guide for green seedless table grapes. The company has put together a kit entitled The Fine Art of Grapes: The Original Green Seedless Table Grape Guide that includes descriptions and photos of green grapes at six different stages of maturity. The kit consists of a large wall poster, a desk reference booklet and a set of laminated color discs for use in the field, warehouse or store -- each depicting the six stages. According to a written statement from the company, the

Morari Specialties Inc., which introduced baby cucumbers to the United States last year, is poised to launch another specialty produce item for consumers: baby eggplants. These new specialty items, grown and imported exclusively by Morari, will be available year-round in select retail stores at the end of July. Like its baby cucumbers, Morari's baby eggplants offer a healthier, more convenient alternative to popular high-fat snack items. The baby eggplants, which are roughly the size of an egg, are less bitter than their "adult" counterparts and contain less seeds and water, making them ideal

"I ate his liver with some Fava beans and a nice Chianti," said Dr. Hannibal Lechter in the movie thriller "Silence of the Lambs. Bizarre as his gastronomic choices may have been, Dr. Lechter at least knew his beans. Also known as Broad, Horse or English beans, Fava beans were as much a staple vegetable as was the potato in the Old World. In fact, Elizabeth Schneider, author of "Vegetables from Amaranth to Zucchini: The Essential Reference" (2001, HarperCollins Publishers Inc., New York), writes that Fava beans are common fare from China to England, Iran to Spain and Africa to South America

WENATCHEE, WA -- In a June 23 ceremony surrounded by family, friends, employees and colleagues, Tom Mathison, founder of apple packer-shipper Stemilt Growers Inc., here, announced that he will step down from the company presidency and hand the leadership reigns to his grandson, West Mathison. West Mathison has served as Stemilt's executive vice president since 2003. He is the son of Jan and Kyle Mathison. Kyle is Tom Mathison's youngest son. "This day basically formalizes what has been on the calendar for nearly three years," Tom Mathison said, referring to the company's established succession