“Ocean Spray” brand fresh blueberries will be available a month early this year thanks to The Oppenheimer Group’s shipments of the pint-sized powerhouse from North Carolina.

The Carolina Blueberry Association in Garland, NC, has teamed up with The Oppenheimer Group and Ocean Spray, which is based in Lakeville-Middleboro, MA, to enhance Ocean Spray’s branded fresh blueberry program, which also includes fruit from Argentina, Chile, New Jersey and British Columbia.

Potato growers and shippers in Kern County, CA, were very optimistic the second week of May as they began digging, selling and shipping the new crop of potatoes for the 2011 season.

“It is a very strong market, and it looks like it could remain strong all season,” said Don Johnston, chief executive officer of Johnston Farms in Edison, CA. “Demand is very good.”

Mr. Johnson said that digging for new red and yellow potatoes began the week of May 9, but the first russets

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published a proposed rule that would increase the assessment rate on fresh mangos by 50 percent, to three-quarters of a cent per pound from one-half cent per pound, to 

fund the National Mango Board and its activities.

In 2010, about 770 million pounds of fresh mangos were imported into the United States, so under the proposed assessment rate an operational budget of more than $5 million would be created. A 770 million-pound crop at one-half cent per pound assessment would create about a $3.85 million budget.

A lack of supply has caused a sharp increase in the price of celery, and the market should remain strong for at least several more weeks.

WEATHER

Salinas, CA: Temperatures will remain unseasonably cold through May 17. Daytime highs will reach only 58 degrees May 15 with the possibility of rain, thunderstorms and even small hail. Overnight lows will be in the mid- to upper 40s.

Bakersfield, CA: Daytime highs will remain on the 80s through May 13, then dip into the mid- to upper 60s May 15-17. Overnight lows will be in the upper 50s through May 13, then plunge into the mid- to upper 40s.

With blueberries showing category growth across the spectrum and consumption rising annually, what three decades ago was a niche product has in the last few years become a rising-star commodity. Tommy Smith, who has been growing blueberries for 32 years and has been chairman of the Carolina Blueberry Association co-operative for more than a decade, is a little surprised and quite delighted by the attention blueberries are garnering.