As the total consumption of avocados in the U.S. market continues to grow, “the Mexican deal is becoming a bigger and bigger part of the puzzle,” said Steve Taft, president of Eco Farms Avocados Inc. in Temecula, CA.

One reason for that is Chile, which harvests its avocados largely during Mexico’s peak season, does not come to the United States “with as much fruit as they used to,” he said. Chile has had “a series of short crops,” and in addition Chileans “have developed other markets.”

There are sound reasons for optimism about the global avocado situation for 2012-13, which, fittingly, have to do with volume, according to year-round distributor Phil Henry of Henry Avocado in Escondido, CA.

Wespak Sales has merged its sales and marketing activities with Rivermaid Trading Co., according to a joint statement released Oct. 17. The merger follows a 10-year working relationship between the two entities that began with fresh cherries and will now grow significantly to include other products.

RPE has added a microwaveable package to its line of Tasteful Selections specialty potatoes. The 16-ounce bags will be available to retailers nationwide after they are unveiled at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Oct. 26.

NEW YORK — For the eighth consecutive year, Ocean Spray has brought the bog to New York City.

The grower-owned cooperative based in Lakeville-Middleboro, MA, constructed a 1,500-square-foot cranberry bog filled with 2,000 pounds of fresh cranberries at the iconic Rockefeller Center, here, as a way to educate the public about cranberries and promote its products during the peak time of year for the fruit.

Grimmway Farms, based in Bakersfield, CA, announced that it has entered into a partnership with Giraffe Interactive and is now the exclusive carrot supplier of "The Biggest Loser" consumer brand. Grimmway will launch an extensive line of baby carrots catering to both retail and foodservice venues alike that are all co-branded with The Biggest Loser in early November.