Extremely cold weather in Peru has delayed the asparagus crop, but U.S. importers expect heavy volume to start by mid- to late-August and total import to be up 12-15 percent this year.

Unique Cold Storage, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, recently announced that it is expanding its range of warehouse services for produce shippers.

"A full menu of services is offered for companies desiring support in the Florida area," said Brian Osborne, operations manager. "Our easy access to major interstate highways and our proximity to distribution centers for several large retailers make Unique Cold Storage a great choice for any company seeking advanced warehouse services in our area."

Apofruit Italia Soc. Coop. Agricola in Cesena, Italy, DiDonna Trade S.r.l. in Rutigliano, Italy, and Comercial Frunexa S.L. in Seville, Spain, have been granted approval to market new fruit varieties developed by Sun World International LLC, based in Bakersfield, CA.

The nomination enables the three companies to market fruit from proprietary fruit varieties grown by licensed Sun World producers throughout Europe, according to Sun World Senior Vice President David Marguleas.

The New York Apple Association, based in Fishers, NY, announced that its annual crop prediction is 29.5 million bushels for the fall harvest.

"We're looking at an outstanding-quality crop this fall," Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association, said in a July 30 statement announcing the forecast. "New York's crop this year will be one to savor and enjoy."

Outstanding summer growing conditions, as well as ideal pollination conditions this spring, have led to one of the better-looking crops ever in New York, according to growers.

Almost four years ago, the California-based Citrus Research Board embarked on a project to determine the feasibility of developing a robot that could roam a citrus orchard and pick fruit distinguishing both size and quality in the process.

Ted Batkin, president of the board, said that the project reached a major milestone in mid-June that has advanced the concept from theoretical to reality. Now it is seemingly only a matter of time before a robotic harvester is picking oranges in the California's San Joaquin Valley as well as apples in Washington's Wenatchee Valley.

Anthony Totta, principal of Grow My Profits, a produce consulting firm in Lee's Summit, MO, is now affiliated with RonProCon, the produce consulting firm headed by Ron Pelger.

Grow My Profits is designed to help growers maximize their returns by making sound investments, streamlining their operations and minimizing waste, according to Mr. Totta. The firm was set up to guide growers in the development of successful operational and marketing needs of the produce industry.