Navel oranges in California's San Joaquin Valley generally appear to have survived the coldest night of the winter to date, although the cost of frost protection was high, according to Shirley Batchman, director of government affairs for California Citrus Mutual in Exeter, CA.

Mandarins are more susceptible to frost and more extensively grown in the northern part of the valley, where temperatures got coldest, dropping into the low 20s Jan. 16-17 for several hours overnight in some places.

Over the past few weeks, Florida retailers and others doing business in the state have seen an unprecedented shuffling of the deck, which involves five Southeast chains operating in several states with more changes to come. The chains involved are Publix, Aldi, Winn-Dixie, Bi-Lo and Food Lion. For some, the changes are good, but that is not the case for all parties involved.

The Avocado Producers & Exporting Packers Association of Michoacán, better known by the acronym APEAM, appointed Eduardo Serena as the interim marketing director for Avocados from Mexico.

Two major California fruit growers-packers-shippers announced that they have formed a new entity to manage international import and export sales and market for the collective organization.

Wawona Packing Co. LLC in Cutler, CA, and Moonlight Packing Corp. in Reedley, CA, have formed Wawona Moonlight Global LLC and will import and export stone fruit, grapes, blueberries and citrus commodities.

The selection committee for The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame announced that three distinguished leaders will be inducted into the Hall during the 50th Anniversary Citrus Celebration Luncheon March 2 at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. In honor of the 50th anniversary, a Golden Jubilee Gala will also be held the following evening, highlighting the Florida citrus industry and recognizing all members of the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame. Several other events are scheduled over the weekend to help celebrate the occasion.