California Prune Production Up and Gas Prices Drop

**Now that California prune growers are earning a higher price, with supply more in line with demand, marketers say: Don’t go nuts on prunes.

The warning comes as the price of almonds and walnuts has trended down in recent years and growers remove more trees.

Thanks to depleted inventory, prune prices have improved over the lows of five years ago, and growers say they want to keep it that way.

**A U.S. agribusiness delegation arrived in Santiago, Chile, Monday, led by USDA Undersecretary Alexis Taylor.

Taylor says, “Customers in Chile are especially interested in U.S. consumer-oriented products, such as dairy, beef, poultry, pork, condiments and distilled spirits, providing U.S. exporters with many new and exciting opportunities.”

The members of the delegation are looking to establish business relationships and explore opportunities for U.S. ag exports to the region.

**For the first time in two weeks, the nation's average price of gasoline declined, falling 3.1 cents from a week ago to $3.80 per.

The national average is up 1.3 cents from a month ago and 13.6 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.

The national average diesel price decreased 1.4 cents last week and stands at $4.53 per gallon, 38.0 cents lower than one year ago.