Exports typically don’t account for much of the volume from California avocado grower-shippers, but most companies have at least a small export program, which they say can be quite lucrative.

As more consumers eat more avocados during more dayparts, the fruit is turning up on more restaurant menus.

Several California growers offer the new GEM avocado, but credit for bringing the variety to the forefront should go to Index Fresh Inc., Riverside, Calif.

Grower-shippers of Mexican grapes say they expect to have ample supplies in the pipeline for their season, despite some rough weather during the growing season.

California cherry growers expect to harvest slightly more fruit this season than last year, assuming they don’t see a repeat of the heavy rainfall that devastated much of their fruit last May.

Awe Sum Organics, Santa Cruz, Calif., will be starting its Mexican table grape program in mid-May.