Bringing three decades of produce knowledge to the newly created position of South American trade manager, industry veteran Bill Lewis joined The Oppenheimer Group Dec. 9.

Mr. Lewis, whose began his career as an inspector for the California Department of Agriculture, has extensive experience in the Latin American arena and will lead the Oppenheimer team in Santiago, Chile, focusing on the distribution giant's export programs. Included in his purview are Asia, Europe and Central America.

IMMOKALEE, FL -- Brown is not a color one expects to see here at the western edge of the Florida Everglades. In the aftermath of a record-setting freeze that dipped almost to the southernmost tip of the peninsula Jan 2-12, mile after mile of once-green fields and farms were left looking as desolate as a lunar landscape.

The Tioga Marine Fruit Terminal expects to receive a 20-25 percent increase in Chilean fruit volume this season, according to Robert Blackburn, senior deputy executive director of Philadelphia Regional Port Authority.

The port authority is headquartered across the street from the Tioga terminal, which is in Philadelphia on the western bank of the Delaware River.

The authority owns the terminal, which is managed by Delaware River Stevedores, commonly known as DRS.

Estimates issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture this past October indicated that the state of New York would have an estimated apple crop of 1.29 million pounds. That figure translates to 32.3 million 40-pound bushels for the Empire State.

"New York easily met that estimate," said Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association. "The crop finished off nicely. In fact, it finished off well. We have a very manageable inventory and supply."

The Washington State Potato Commission and Oregon Potato Commission will hold the first Washington-Oregon Potato Conference Jan. 26-28 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, WA.

"The conference board is excited about the merged conferences," said board Secretary-Treasurer Karen Bonaudi. "It is really a win for everyone. The exhibitors can travel to one show, our sponsorships are up $12,000 over last year, and the Oregon crew is working as part of a larger event, which takes a load off them. All we want to order up now is some sunny winter weather."

Chile's fresh fruit industry continues to focus resources in the United States to maintain growth in its most important market. Each year, about 40 percent of Chile's total fruit exports are shipped to the United States. Despite early harvest delays this season, forecasts project another strong year of U.S.- bound shipments exceeding 100 million cases. Table grapes will continue to dominate volume, but increased blueberry acreage and new varieties of other fruits are generating excitement in the industry.