Three research studies released in recent weeks by the Mushroom Council indicate means by which retailers can increase sales and profits.

On the sales side, according to Informational Resources Inc., fresh mushroom sales increased in both dollars (4.5 percent) and pounds (1.5 percent) over last year.

REEDLEY, CA -- A net decrease in producing acreage resulting largely from pullouts exceeding replacement plantings is a major factor in a smaller crop of California peaches and nectarines, including both traditional yellow-flesh varieties and the Summerwhite or white-flesh varieties this year.

The California Tree Fruit Agreement's official estimate for Summerwhite peaches is 5.4 million packages, down from 6.2 million packages last year, a decline of about 11 percent.

Martin Eubanks, senior commodity merchandiser for the South Carolina Department of Agriculture in Columbia, SC, told The Produce News that hail this season delayed peach movement by a few days.

An attorney familiar with PACA law believes that a recent decision by a New York court allows preferential payments of PACA Trust creditors and should cause sellers to file suit early and often when the potential for a bad debt arises.

However, several other attorneys, who are also experts in PACA law, disagree with the significance of the recent decision and believe there has been no change in case law, and buyers and sellers need to do nothing differently.

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA -- Colombia has enjoyed strong economic growth under the administration of President Alvaro Uribe. But the leader of this country, with a population of 40 million, is concerned that the U.S. Congress has been slow to approve a bilateral free-trade agreement with Colombia, which is regarded as one of the United States' closer allies in Latin America.

The Produce News met with President Uribe May 11 at Palacio de Nari?o, a grand building in downtown Bogota that is the president's residence and is akin to The White House in Washington.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) reintroduced her AgJOBS bill May 14 to fix the broken H-2A seasonal worker program and help struggling agricultural employers retain a stable, legal workforce to produce the nation's food supply.

"The central issue here is not immigration. It is about protecting and preserving the American economy," Sen. Feinstein said in a May 14 press statement.