Chile's blueberry exports grew to a record 49,800 tons in the 2009-10 shipping season, according to statistics provided by the Santiago, Chile- based Chilean Blueberry Committee.

This was an increase of 20 percent over the previous season and overwhelmed the 30,300 tons exported by Chile in 2007-08.

Chile began exporting blueberries in 2003-04, when it shipped 9,500 tons. There has been steadily rapid export growth since.

WASHINGTON — With the industry bracing for proposed federal growing standards for fresh produce next year, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced Nov. 4 a new public-private partnership that will supply growers and packers with on-the-farm training materials.

The new Produce Safety Alliance is a three-year, $1.15 million partnership funded by the FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and housed at Cornell University, which already runs a Good Agricultural Practices program, FDA said.

Jamba Juice Co., a well-known healthy active lifestyle brand, and Sundia Corp., a leading produce brand, announced Nov. 8 that they have entered into an exclusive licensing agreement to develop and launch an innovative new line of proprietary "Jamba" branded fruit cups.

The Chilean Citrus Committee was formally created this summer, according to Antoinette Chauveau, general coordinator of the group. The Chilean Citrus Committee operates under the umbrella of the Chilean Exporters Association, known also as ASOEX, which is headquartered in Santiago, Chile. Citrus committee members represent about 70 percent of the country's export volume.

WASHINGTON - The United Fresh Produce Association announced the opening of registration for United Fresh 2011, its annual convention and expo.

Members from all points in the fresh produce supply chain will converge on New Orleans this spring for the event, which will which will feature a keynote address from Hall of Fame quarterback Archie Manning, as well as an intimate, one-on-one discussion between CNN political analyst James Carville and United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel.

The number of growers transitioning from California's Salinas Valley for a three- to five-week Iceberg lettuce deal in Huron, CA, appears to be dwindling.