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Fresh fruit sales were up about 9% for the four-week period, while fresh vegetable sales were up 25%.

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.

New grape varieties are quickly supplanting older, established cousins across Mexico, growers say.

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.

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.

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.

Mexican grape harvest has begun.

Many California table grape growers have adopted sustainable growing and business strategies to guide their vineyards into a productive, profitable and ecologically sound future.

Black table grapes rank a distant third in sales after red and green varieties, but there’s a decided group of consumers who have taken a liking to the darker-hued fruit.