Publix's sales for the first quarter of 2013 were $7.5 billion, a 6.1 percent increase from last year's $7.1 billion.

Part of the increase is attributable to the Easter holiday having occurred in the first quarter of 2013, which increased sales by approximately 1.3 percent. Easter was in the second quarter last year.

The fresh produce industry is mourning the loss of Jan Fleming, chief executive officer of Strube Celery & Vegetable Co. in Chicago, who died May 1 at the age of 67.

Big Chuy Distributors & Sons Inc. in Nogales, AZ, which specializes in watermelons and hard shell squash from Mexico, has Mexican watermelons available every month of the year except August, according to Jesus (Chuy) Lopez Jr., president of the company.

The Sonora spring watermelon crops have been “a little delayed due to the effect of the cold weather we had,” Mr. Lopez said. "I think that is the same for everybody in Mexico.”

Sweet Clover Produce of Walla Walla, WA, is expecting to start shipping Washington’s State Vegetable, the Walla Walla Sweet onion, in mid-June, with irrigation in place and stands looking healthy and strong.

Sales Manager Bill (Sweet Willie) Brownfield told The Produce News that the company’s primary Walla Walla Sweet growers are the father/son team of Fernando Enriquez Sr. and Jr. again in 2013.

"Enza" Taylor's Gold pears have added sparkle to The Oppenheimer Group's imported pear lineup for a decade-and-a-half, but this season promises to be among the best ever, according to David Nelley, the marketer's apple and pear category director.

The annual Sonora Spring Grapes Summit, held April 25-26 in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, was well attended with strong participation from U.S. grape marketers, Mexican producers, Latin American buyers and even two California-based Pacific Rim traders.