A record 1.5 billion pounds of avocados were consumed in the United States in 2012, reflecting an ongoing dramatic increase in demand. So far, 2013 is on track to eclipse that record.

"It seems we are going to be well over last year's numbers" for 2013, said Emiliano Escobedo, executive director of the Hass Avocado Board. He expects "definitely double digit growth."

Salinas-based Taylor Farms Retail and Green Giant Fresh are launching several new products this summer under the "Green Giant Fresh" brand.

Among the new products are shaved Brussels sprouts, French green beans, 40- and 20-ounce Veggie Trays with Hidden Valley ranch dip, and a 40-ounce Veggie Tray with no dip.

Sunkist Growers and Greene River Marketing are teaming up to sell Florida citrus under the "Sunkist" brand in markets across the globe beginning in the 2013-14 season.

"We are looking forward to this association," Patrick Rodgers, president of Greene River Marketing, said in a press release. "Both organizations bring great strengths to each other, and I see tremendous potential in both the domestic and export markets."

Jasmine Vineyards Inc. in Delano, CA, had its first commercial production of proprietary Sweet Celebration grapes last year. This year, the company will have increased production of Sweet Celebration, according to Jon Zaninovich, president of the company.

Sweet Celebration is a patented variety developed by International Fruit Genetics in Bakersfield, CA, of which Jasmine is a licensee.

Crown Jewels Produce Co. in Fresno, CA, expects an increase of about 20 percent in its table grape volume out of the San Joaquin Valley of California during the 2013 season, according to Atomic Torosian, a partner in the company.

“We are up in our production this year” as a result of additional acreage coming into the program, Torosian said. Some of that additional acreage is on the company’s own ranch. “Crown Jewels is a grower of grapes” as well as a shipper.

He expects a total volume of around 1.2 million to 1.3 million packages out of California this year.

The U.S. Potato Board, the nation's potato marketing organization and the central organizing force in implementing programs that will increase demand for potatoes, named produce industry veteran Blair Richardson as its president and chief executive officer, effective Aug. 1.