Miles Fraser-Jones, senior vice president of AMC Direct Inc. in Glassboro, NJ, the North American arm of the AMC Group, explained to The Produce News that the company is separated into three divisions that each has its own expertise and focus.

“AMC Direct is a vertically integrated company, in that we grow, pack and ship into the U.S. from various countries,” said Fraser-Jones. “We have production areas in Peru and Chile in South America, South Africa and in Spain, and product under this division is distributed across the U.S.

“We expect to start receiving New Zealand kiwifruit soon — within the next couple of weeks,” Nick Pacia, president of A.J. Trucco Inc., located on the Hunts Terminal Market in the Bronx, NY, said June 16. “And we expect to have the fruit throughout the summer months.”

Pacia explained that New Zealand has enjoyed a strong growing season with good weather conditions.

The season’s first citrus from South Africa has arrived in the United States, marking the start of the 15th season for South African summer citrus in the United States.

The fruit arrived on the container vessel MSC Valvik bringing 90 tons of Clementines and Navel oranges.

An overview of world citrus production in the world is by no means an indication that imports to the United States are coming from those countries that produce the most.

According to the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Brazil led world citrus production by growing 18 million tons in 2012. In order of production behind Brazil in 2012 were the United States (8.1 million) China (6.5), India (5), Mexico (3.6), Spain (2.9), Egypt (2.7), Italy (1.7), and Turkey and South Africa (each with 1.6).

BRASELTON, GA — The Southeast Produce Council held its inaugural Charity Golf Classic Wednesday, June 18, to raise money for the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, with a silent auction held the evening before. It was announced at the auction that as a tribute to SPC Executive Director Terry Vorhees, this event in future years would be named the Terry Vorhees Charity Golf Classic.

Seven top floral designers from around the United States with a connection to mass-market floral took the Happy Hour Center Stage at the International Floriculture Expo in New Orleans to compete for the title of Iron Designer. The contestants were given a limited amount of time and a mystery package of products, along with set instructions and a theme of “New Classic” to create their romantic-gothic-baroque floral design interpretation.