Fresno, CA-based Baloian Packing Inc. has formally changed its name to Baloian Farms in an effort to more clearly communicate the organization's long-standing heritage as a premier grower, packer and shipper of fresh produce. As part of the new identity, Baloian Farms is also unveiling a new corporate logo.

The top-selling fruit in U.S. produce departments is now in shorter supply than usual as a result of storms that tore through banana-producing regions last fall.

TULARE, CA -- A total of 140 seminars on nearly every conceivable agriculture-related topic, from cooking demonstrations to dealing with an increasingly hostile business environment, were presented during the three days of the World Ag Expo held here Feb. 14-16 at the International Agri-Center. Among them was a series of international trade seminars that included three separate 90-minute-long sessions that addressed China.

Veteran California produce industry member Jim Llano has been named director of sales and marketing at Santa Maria, CA-based Bonipak Produce Co.

Mr. Llano joined Bonipak three weeks ago with a mandate to oversee and manage the Bonipak sales staff in the further development of retail and foodservice accounts.

Mr. Llano leaves a position at Wenatchee, WA-based Stemilt Growers Inc., where he handled California export sales. While at Stemilt, Mr. Llano introduced multiple-load volume of Stemilt apples and pears directly into Puerto Rico and Mexico.

More than 5,000 cartons of cantaloupes were shipped back to Costa Rica Feb. 2, resulting in a total loss because the pallets they were shipped on were not certified as pest- free.

The rejection was the first known case involving Phase 2 of the new standard for Imported Wood Packaging Material, published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service and enforced by the Department of Homeland Security and its Customs & Border Protection Department.

Fyffes PLC, based in Dublin, Ireland, announced Feb. 7 that it has acquired 60 percent of Nolem, which is Brazil's largest melon producer and exporter.

Nolem owns 5,000 hectares of Brazilian farmland and markets 9 million boxes of melons per year.

The business will continue to be managed by Andre, Marcelo and Eduardo Gadelha. The Gadelha family will own 20 percent of the company.