At a Jan. 31 World Trade Organization meeting in Brussels, the European Union formally proposed a banana import tariff adjustment that would raise the levy to 230 euro ($300) per ton as of Jan. 1, 2006.

EU leaders said that this will balance the demands of large-scale growers in Latin America and interests of traditional suppliers in Africa and the Caribbean.

Shoppers at select grocery stores in Greenville, SC, Houston and San Antonio, TX, got a treat the second weekend in January when a group of Washington apple growers brought a taste of their own Enza Pacific Rose and Jazz apples to town.

The crisp, sweet Pacific Rose and the tart-sweet Jazz were met with such enthusiasm during the grower sampling appearances that many stores sold out before the end of the weekend, according to David Nelley, pipfruit category director for the Vancouver, BC-based Oppenheimer Group.

Ciruli Bros., based in Nogales, AZ, announced the addition of Eric Viramontes as agricultural manager.

Mr. Viramontes will oversee the company?s grower relations and procurement functions. He will be responsible for carrying out decisions relating to managed field operations, and will oversee various row crops, coordinating between growing, harvesting and marketing.

Albert (Al) Gracio, who worked as a bulk-buying specialist, consolidation dock manager and quality assurance manager for Fresh Network in Salinas, CA, died Jan. 26. He was 61.

Due to changes in regulations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the first loads of Mexican avocados are preparing to cross the border through Nogales, AZ.

On Nov. 30, the USDA announced the expansion of the Mexican avocado program, allowing avocados from approved municipalities in the state of Michoacan into the United States during all 12 months and into all states except California, Hawaii and Florida.

The new regulations became effective Jan. 31.

TPG Enterprises in Othello, WA, has hired Loren Queen as sales and marketing manager for its fresh-cut apple line, Snappy Apples, and as project manager of its tart cherry juice line, Tart is Smart.

Mr. Queen has 10 years of experience in the fresh-cut produce industry, most recently as director of marketing for the International Fresh-cut Produce Association.

Ivan Taylor, president of TPG, said in a statement, "We are excited to have Loren join our team. We know his level of commitment will take us to the next level."