News

July 02, 2010

According to a notice issued Thursday (July 1) by FSIS, the current Russia beef certificate may be used until the new certificates are available. There is a delay in the availability of Russia pork certificates, but they will be ready for distribution on July 2. Exporters should check with their inspector to be sure an order has been placed for new certificates.

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June 25, 2010

Both FSIS and Russia’s Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service (VPSS) consider July 1, 2010, to be the issuance date, rather than a port arrival date, for the new certificate. Therefore, beginning July 1, the new certificate must be issued for all pork shipments to Russia.

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June 25, 2010

Effective June 22, Russia has suspended imports of beef variety meat from Brazil. The suspension does not appear to be region or plant-specific, covering all beef variety meat from Brazil.

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Drupaceous

Peaches & Nectarines

While there are many individual varieties of peaches and nectarines, there are two major types: yellow and white flesh. Yellow peaches and nectarines have a deep yellow background color overlaid with pink or red blush color and deep yellow flesh inside. They are ready-to-eat when they yield to gentle palm pressure and have a balance of sweet and tart flavors. Some like them when slightly firm, when they’ll be a little tarter. White peaches and nectarines, have a creamy yellow background color overlaid with pink or red blush color and creamy yellow flesh inside. They’re naturally less tart and can be ready-to-eat when still firm and crunchy. White peaches and nectarines also ripen faster than their yellow counterparts.

Plums

Plums generally have tart skin and sweet flesh. As plums ripen and soften, the skin becomes less tart and the flesh sweeter. Some types have sweet skin and sweet flesh.

Plums’ flavor can’t be judged by their color. Whether red, black, purple, yellow or green, each one of the varieties grown in California has a unique flavor profile, so throughout the season there’s always something new to explore. Though there are many varieties, there are two main types: Japanese plums and European plums. Japanese plums are the most widely grown type and are rounded in shape. European plums are oval in shape. While some European plums are sold fresh in the late summer, most are used for making dried plums, also known as prunes.