T.J. Runyan, owner of Mesilla Valley Produce LLC in Las Cruces, NM, said the company’s onion volume this season will be comparable to 2012. “It has been a good growing season weather-wise so far,” he told The Produce News.

“I expect volume to be very comparable to last year. I expect size to be a little smaller than normal on the front end of the deal. But it will improve as the season progresses,” he said.

The news about blues has Rainier Fruit Co. in the pink. “We expect to pack upwards of five million pounds this year, about 30 percent more than last year,” said Director of Marketing Suzanne Wolter. “Producing acreage is stable and the maturing bushes continue to increase production tonnage.”

With its headquarters in Yakima, WA, Rainier is one of the premiere fruit producers in the Pacific Northwest.

This past January, the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture released annual summaries for the 2012 season for vegetables and fruits grown in New York.

The value of principal fresh market vegetables in 2012 increased 22 percent when compared to 2011. The value of tree fruit, berry and grape production was down 6 percent during 2012.

New York state government is sending a strong message to consumers in the Empire State, encouraging them to take advantage of the Empire State’s rich agricultural heritage and bounty. The message: buy local.

Fresh Valley Foods Corp., based in Haverhill, MA, announced it has entered into a retail brokerage partnership with A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing Inc., based in Windham, NH. Under this new agreement, A.J. Letizio will become Fresh Valley Food's exclusive retail broker in New England and New York for the processor's full line of fresh-cut fruit and vegetables.

The California pear is coming at least 11 days early, according to marketing consultant Dave Parker of Rivermaid Trading Co.

“In addition, the crop looks to be really high-quality and great-eating,” added Ken Carter, marketing director for Rivermaid. “The timing and quality give retailers a huge opportunity in fresh pear sales.”