South African citrus expected to maintain No. 2 position in world export ranking
Exports of South African citrus are projected to total 89.6 million cartons, or 1.35 million tons, for the 2008 season, marginally down from the 90.9 million cartons, or 1.36 million tons, achieved in the 2007 season. According to an April 3 press release by the Citrus Growers Association of South Africa, at 2008 levels, South Africa is expected to retain its No. 2 ranking in world citrus exports.
Sun World looks to future with realignment
Sun World International LLC, a leading California-based agribusiness firm, is positioning itself for future growth through the realignment of key executives and the establishment of three distinct new business units, Allen Vangelos, president and chief executive officer, announced in an April 3 press release.
The new business units - administration, operations and marketing - will be headed by Chief Administration Officer David Hostetter, Chief Operations Officer Kevin Andrew and Chief Marketing Officer David Marguleas. Their appointments are effective immediately.
Safeway promotes produce executives
A couple of Safeway Inc. executives with produce and floral experience have been promoted within the company's corporate structure.
Safeway has announced the promotion of Kelly Griffith, most recently president of the company's Portland division, to the position of president of perishables, replacing Des Hague, who held the post for about one year. Safeway announced that Mr. Hague was leaving the company to pursue other business opportunities.
Consumer Trends conference sheds light on buying preferences
NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- By design, the Produce Marketing Association lined up guest speakers for its Consumer Trends '08 conference, held here April 3-5, who are good at punching holes in people's perceptions.
What the industry thinks it knows isn't necessarily so, the speakers said. That's not to say that the sky is falling, just that not enough is being done to hold it up forever.
NEPC expo 'one of the biggest and best yet'
BOSTON -- The old clich? of good things coming in small packages was certainly an appropriate description of the New England Produce Council's Expo, held here April 9 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
Now in its eighth year, the expo's 230 booths drew approximately 700 attendees and was "one of the biggest and best yet," Robert McGowan, president of the council, told The Produce News.
Trade mission facilitates relationships and markets for Northwest potato growers
A grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture facilitated a collaborative effort among the potato commissions of Washington, Oregon and Idaho to help open potato markets in Central America.
Wada Farms and Farm Fresh Direct form marketing pact
Wada Farms Marketing Group LLC in Idaho Falls, ID, and Farm Fresh Direct LLC in Monte Vista, CO, have announced the formation of a new joint venture marketing organization called Category Partners LLC.
The announcement was made in a jointly issued written statement April 7. According to the statement, the new entity is designed to better enable these two major potato suppliers to support the changing needs of retailers, foodservice operators, wholesalers and, equally important, today's new consumer.
Natural Selection's statute of limitations claim denied in apple lawsuit
A Monterey County Superior Court judge has denied a motion filed by Natural Selection Foods that contends that a statute of limitations exists in the case of a Carmel Valley, CA, woman who claims to have been wronged by the company over her rare, heirloom apple tree.
Priscilla Higuera's lawsuit against Natural Selection Foods and its manager, Mark Marino, allege conversion of personal property for profit and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Longtime Washington produce marketer Pat McDonald sells PMI
After nearly two decades brokering Northwest produce through her own company, Pat McDonald has, if only temporarily, hung up that hat.
Ms. McDonald launched Pacific Marketing International in the Yakima, WA, area 18 years ago and handled a wide variety of items, with a focus on Washington asparagus.
Steve Veneziano has 'a passion' for produce
WOODBURY, CT -- It sometime seems in today's world that many 20- somethings (and even some 30-somethings) are still finding themselves, still wondering what they want to do when they grow up. Perhaps every generation says this about the one coming up. Then there's Steve Veneziano Jr.