The last vessel carrying South African summer citrus for the 2010 season discharged its cargo in Philadelphia the week of Oct. 25, and season-ending totals indicate that shipments were up nearly 24 percent over 2009.

A total of 41,528 tons of citrus comprised of clementines, Navel oranges, Midknight oranges and grapefruit were shipped to the United States from May through October.

The newly formed Produce Traceability Initiative Leadership Council met Oct. 13 to begin implementing the industry-led governance structure for the initiative moving forward.

The group's inaugural meeting, held in Orlando, FL, prior to the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition, featured an orientation on the PTI’s new governance structure, including the council, a forthcoming Executive Committee and its working and interest groups.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded 28 grants to researchers to help solve specialty crop production issues at a time when the Obama administration is encouraging Americans to eat more fruits and vegetables, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said during an Oct. 25 press call.

The USDA's National Institute of Food & Agriculture awarded more than $46 million through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, a program established by the 2008 farm bill to help the industry develop science-based tools.

The California Navel industry, coming off "probably one of the best crops in history from a quality perspective and a revenue perspective" for the 2009-10 season, is looking at a larger on-tree crop for 2010-11.

In fact, “what we've got is one of the largest crops in history hanging on the tree,” said Joel Nelsen, president of California Citrus Mutual in Exeter, CA.

ORLANDO, FL — In 2011, Peruvian citrus exporters will have access to break- bulk refrigerated cargo ships, according to Sergio Del Castillo, general manager of the Association of Citrus Producers of Peru, based in Lima, known as ProCitrus.

The Peruvian seaport of Callao, which is several miles north of Lima, has expanded its containership capacity, taking pressure off other seaports and opening greater opportunities for break-bulk ships to serve the country's citrus exporters — and exporters of other produce items.