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The citrus industry in California’s Ventura County is going to the dogs.

Fowler Packing Co. Inc., Fresno, Calif. will debut its Peelz mandarin brand in November, according to a news release.

Johnston Farms, Edison, Calif., is adding capacity to pack more satsuma mandarins during the peak season, said Derek Vaughn, citrus sales manager.

The Fresno, Calif.-based California Table Grape Commission has hired Jodi Devaurs as director of trade policy.

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.

Mexican table grape production is down this year compared with 2019 but promotable volumes will start earlier.

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.

Good growing conditions should result in plenty of high-quality vegetables out of the California desert this winter, grower-shippers say. But rain in Yuma, Ariz., could affect early iceberg lettuce volume.

Grape buyers don’t need to hit the panic button. California grape holdings are down compared with a year ago, but promotable fruit volumes will be shipped through early January.