Crowley Maritime Corp. and Customized Brokers, its Miami-based Customs brokerage company, announced the opening of a new cold-storage warehouse facility located in Miami.

The facility, known as Crowley Fresh, features multiple humidity- and temperature-controlled coolers. It is open around the clock to store and handle perishables imported from or exported to Latin America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and the Far East.

Mexican tomato growers and the U.S. Commerce Department were able to come to an eleventh-hour deal on a new tomato anti-dumping suspension agreement, thus avoiding termination of an agreement that has been in place for the past 16 years. But producers south of the border say the excessive floor prices will lock out a large percentage of Mexican production.

Belding, MI-based BelleHarvest Sales Inc. announced Jan. 23 the hiring of industry veteran CHRIS SANDWICK as vice president of sales and marketing. He brings an expertise in brand management and a passion for consumer engagement to the position.

Mr. Sandwick joins BelleHarvest with 20 years of produce industry experience under his belt.

For the past 10 years he worked at Pepin Heights Orchard Inc., where he ascended to the role of director of sales and marketing. Prior to that, he spent six years with Supervalu, where he was a merchandiser.

Texas citrus growers are in the catbird seat with none of the problems that have plagued other domestic growing areas through the first half of this season, according to Trent Bishop of Lone Star Citrus Growers in Mission, TX.

Lone Star was launched six years ago by three Texas industry veterans: Jud Flowers, T.J. Flowers and Mr. Bishop.

Demand for domestically grown organic product is so strong that Christopher Ranch has trouble keeping up.

In its extensive organic line, Christopher Ranch, headquartered in Gilroy, CA, offers fresh whole garlic bulbs in bulk and packaged. Its organic garlic line also includes peeled, roasted and processed garlic, as well as chopped, crushed and roasted garlic puree, which are shelf-stable in jars.

Chelan Fresh Marketing of Chelan, WA, will soon begin shipping d’Anjou pears to China under its “Trout” label, according to Mac Riggan, marketing director.