Grower Direct Marketing LLC. is distributing fresh Chilean blueberries to retailers throughout the United States. The 2013-14 blueberry deal began this October with the first shipments of blueberries from Chile being distributed by Grower Direct.

Although Mexican avocado shipments to the United States have been increasing nearly every year — and with it the volume of Mexican fruit handled by Eco Farms Avocados Inc. in Temecula, CA — President Steve Taft expects the volume for the 2013-14 season to be similar to what it was the prior year, or perhaps up just a little. Yields per acre could be a bit lighter, but with additional acreage certified for export to the United States, overall volume could be up a bit.

“We have been growing in Mexico at a nice steady pace and will continue to grow at that pace, probably around 10 to 15 percent a year,” said Dana Thomas, president of Index Fresh Inc. in Riverside, CA, Oct. 21. “Our plan will be to continue with that.”

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, the San Francisco Wholesale Produce Market held a ceremonial groundbreaking event for market tenants on the first phase of a 10-year renovation project that will ultimately expand the market by 200,000 square feet.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued its initial forecast pegging the 2013-14 Florida orange crop at 125 million boxes, down 6 percent from last season.

The USDA estimated early-mid varieties at 58 million, down from 67.1 million at the end of last season, while the Valencia orange total is at 67 million boxes compared to 66.5 million in 2012-13.

The United Fresh Produce Association will honor Joseph G. (Joe) Procacci with its Lifetime Achievement Award during its 2014 Winter Leadership Meetings this January at the Trump National Doral Resort in Miami. The award will be presented Jan. 21 at the Produce Legends Dinner, an annual event hosted by the United Fresh Foundation to recognize a career of lasting achievement in the produce industry. The evening will support the foundation’s programs that are investing in the next generation to increase their produce consumption.