GUATEMALA CITY -- The faces of Agritrade have changed in the 18 years since the Guatemalan trade show was launched. Importers from Miami and Pompano Beach, FL, are no longer so common within the crowd. Consultants from the U.S. Agency for International Development, who once populated and promoted Central American produce export development activities, were nowhere to be seen, with AID budgets now going to the Middle East. The display booths in the now-biannual trade show are dominated by suppliers targeting Guatemalan fresh produce growers. Once-budding export businesses are more sophisticated

The one-day New England Produce Council Produce & Floral Expo 2006 will be held April 5 in the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. It will be the first time the meeting has been held in this new center. Laura Sullivan, executive director of the council, told The Produce News March 20, "We anticipate 200 booths with full retail support from New England retailers." The retail representation ranges from many of New England's retail store-level produce managers to the buying level. "It's nice to have the produce managers," Ms. Sullivan said. "Exhibitors like to talk to them since they meet face

At the Fruit Logistica convention in Berlin, Germany, earlier this year, retailers were intrigued with the produce department misting systems offered for sale, but not enough to purchase them. "People wanted to see the new technology from America, but we have found that retailers [in Europe and elsewhere] are just not open for change," said Itamar Kleinberge, vice president of Prodew Misting & Humidification in Marietta, GA. Mr. Kleinberge and company President Shakeel Merchant estimated that while misting systems have an 80 percent penetration in the U.S. marketplace, only 1 percent of

The California Strawberry Commission's 2006 acreage survey reports different trends for fall-planted acreage compared to acreage planted in the summer months. California strawberry acreage planted in the fall, which produces fruit during the traditional winter, spring and summer seasons, increased in 2006 by 193 acres (0.7 percent) statewide. Fewer acres were planted in Orange County-San Diego and San Joaquin compared to the previous year. Acreage in Orange County-San Diego decreased by 600 acres, San Joaquin decreased by 135 acres. Oxnard and Watsonville-Salinas showed the largest increases

Pacific Tomato Growers Ltd. has announced the promotion of Billy L. Heller Jr. to the newly created position of chief executive officer of Florida-based Pacific Tomato Growers Ltd. and California-based Pacific Triple E. He joined the company in 2003 as chief operating officer where his focus was on implementing best practices in farm operations and food safety programs, establishing the "Sunripe" brand across the family of companies and consolidating the administrative functions. Pacific Tomato Growers is a leading grower, packer, shipper and marketer of field- and hothouse-grown tomatoes

TEANECK, NJ -- New York state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick H. Brennan showcased the Pride of New York marketing and promotional program March 28 to the members of the Eastern Produce Council at its monthly meeting, held here at the Glenpoint Marriott. "Presenting the Pride of New York program to the Eastern Produce Council provides us with a unique opportunity to reach out to the metropolitan produce industry to reinforce the sense of pride New York state has in its great agricultural bounty," Mr. Brennan said. "This evening also allows Pride of New York members to meet produce buyers in