Heading into its sixth full citrus season, Lone Star Citrus in Mission, TX, has plenty to celebrate. In short order the company has become one of the state’s top providers of citrus. The company recently inked a deal to be the exclusive provider of Texas grapefruit for Sunkist. And this season, Lone Star will mark a major milestone when it harvests the first fruit from the first trees planted in its own groves five-and-a-half years ago.

The latter is a particular source of pride for the company.

Started with a 20-acre grove and a Missouri businessman’s curiosity, Rio Queen Citrus Inc. in Mission, TX, has over the last half-century become one of the larger grower-shippers of citrus in the Lone Star State. This year, the firm is set up for an excellent citrus season thanks to terrific weather and an early end to the California citrus season.

FOREST PARK, GA — What marks the difference between a good year and a great year? How about a 25 percent increase in business, which is what the Nickey Gregory Co. LLC posted over the last 12 months?

The Aug. 27 announcement by Britton Transport Inc. that it had acquired Scott’s Express Inc. and Scott’s Transportation Services Inc. is a positive step in the company’s projected growth track. “We expect to double the volume [of potatoes we will ship],” President David Britton told The Produce News. “It’s one of the initial steps in our strategies to grow Britton Transport.”

Chiquita Brands International Inc. announced Oct. 2 that Edward F. Lonergan has been appointed president and chief executive officer, effective Oct. 8. He succeeds Fernando Aguirre, who previously announced his plan to step down as chairman, president and CEO of Chiquita.

“Although sweet potato exports to Europe have picked up in the past decade, market penetration hasn’t been high,” Steven Ceccarelli, owner and operator of Farm Fresh Produce, headquartered in Faison, NC, told The Produce News on Sept. 24. “We hope to change that in the future by introducing new packaging and launching a new advertising campaign in 2013.”

The company farms sweet potatoes in both North Carolina and Mississippi.

Mr. Ceccarelli added that it’s necessary for Farm Fresh Produce to invest in growing the customer knowledge base in Europe.