FreshPlaza: Global Fresh Produce and Banana News

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GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW MANGOES

Job Board | Newly added vacancies

Orchard Sector Manager | Cherri Global

more job offers

CPMA Vancouver trade show has come to a close

Regional shifts and peaks ahead on berry supplies

Natural disasters, disease cut Florida orange production an estimated 92 percent since 2003/04

Dominican Republic mango production to increase by 15% in 2024 season

EPA’s senior agriculture advisor visits Fruit Tree Research Station with growers

FAO questions current agricultural expansion of berries, and avocados in Jalisco

The return of California Star Ruby grapefruit

Organic produce industry’s access to crop inputs focus of IFPA testimony to USDA

Broccolini campaign aims to educate and protect trademark

Sector | Vegetables

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Wisconsin experiences vegetable crop acreage reduction

Cherry tomatoes makes it into Top 10 best-selling brands in France

“In Sweden Spring has been a disaster with 30% drop in glasshouse vegetable production”

Drip irrigation innovation sees vegetable farm's yields go through the roof

"Start of the season for Red Egg, Red Egg Mini, and Chica tomatoes"

'Mexican tomato industry won’t be able to litigate its way out of dumping charges'

Ontario green asparagus season to start May 5

Sector | Bananas

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Helge Sparsoe - Fyffes

“We knew that putting a new consumer brand into this category would be something radically new"

Kazakhstan is a front-runner in banana consumption in Central Asia

Ecuador's banana exports up to March 2024 decreased by 0.24%

Attilio Pagni, Alimentari Ortofrutticoli ABC:

"We should try to value bananas more"

Experimental banana harvesting methods in Holguin province

Saint Lucia farmers take issue with new banana boxes

B Corp certification in Fairtrade banana category

Sector | Potatoes and Onions

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Adriaan van Belzen, Daily Onions:

"With the arrival of the first Egyptian red onions, it seems the period of shortages and high prices is coming to an end"

"Gulf and far east counties are promising markets for Egyptian processing potatoes in 2024"

Egyptian potato exports to Asia immune to red sea crisis

Egyptian onion exporters enjoy a calm competition

Market and Crop Update for April 25, 2024

“West Valley Packing is packing all three colors for conventional and organic onions”

Potatoes New Zealand continues to make a difference in the industry

Cuban potato harvest again below expectations

Ukrainian farmers give away onions, which were so precious in 2023

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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"Access for Kenyan and Australian avocados has ushered in a new era of possibilities"

Ly Nguyen - Van Xuan Agri

“We are planting more than 300 hectares with cooperatives and farmers"

"Demand for coconuts is increasing"

Fillmore and Santa Paula regions

Avocado and equipment theft prompts vigilance in California

Peruvian ginger exports have suffered a significant drop

Peru's fresh avocado exports grew by 35% in the first quarter

Mark Everett - Worldwide Fruit

"We expect to increase the loading of large sizes in the coming weeks"

Sector | Company news

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AMFRESH Group welcomes Ian Wood as Managing Director of UK and Northern Europe

Ocean Mist Farms hires new chief financial officer

PACA updates from USDA

Braga Fresh COO named Ag Woman of the Year

Frutas de Chile turns 89

New vice president of marketing and sales at Progressive Produce

First quarter of 2024: earnings down with cost measures intensified

Sector | Greenhouse

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New greenhouse vegetable products introduced

Heading west to showcase greenhouse-grown produce

Strategic partnership formed to build Canada’s greenest greenhouse

Fraser Valley producers welcome home CPMA trade show

Stephen Cowan with Mucci Farms on CPMA Vancouver:

“We will celebrate all the amazing work happening in the Canadian produce industry”

Chef partnership champions sustainable agriculture

Dean Taylor with Mastronardi Produce:

“There is always a high level of excitement when we launch a new Bombs variety”

Sector | Logistics

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Drewry’s World Container Index remains stable this week

FPC Chief on UK border strategy -

“We have become the laughing stock of Europe"

Carrier Transicold’s Lynx Fleet telematics solution helps Roamer Transport Inc. improve uptime and save truck loads

“Bigger demand than estimated led to organised chaos for enough specialised reefer vessels space from South Africa”

Cape Town's private port terminal operator adds electric forklifts to operations

Container leasing dynamics in 2024: a global perspective

Shifting sands in port rankings with Dubai and Tanger Med on the rise

Sector | Machinery

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Using robotics to help sort onions on Georgia farms

The future of logistics is automated

Video of the Calderoni inter-row tiller below

Interesting market trend also in North Africa

Autonomous robot harvester makes the cut with asparagus

Tomra food inaugurates new center in Valencia

FrostBoss launch new laydown fan tower:

The elegant solution to frost protection

Solar irrigation offering to be rolled out across sub-Saharan Africa

Sector | General fresh produce

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Minister of Agriculture Floyd Green:

‘Agricultural growth in Jamaica exceeds 10% in early 2024’

Vegetables and pulses outlook: April 2024

U.S. vegetable sales soar by 82 percent amid declines in harvest area and farms

Aston University research:

'Social media can be used to increase fruit and vegetable intake in young people'

Half of the local harvest does not reach Europe

Kenya is Europe's vegetable garden: "That's how the world works"

A closer look at Vancouver’s retail offerings

Farming Unions urge major retailers to back British farming

Bell peppers of all colors, zucchini, tomatoes, and cucumbers chased the winter chill away

Sector | Management

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European Parliament approves a revision of the EU’s common agricultural policy

Star Group names four vice-presidents of sales and procurement

MEPs approve trade support measures for Ukraine with protection for EU farmers

Pound experienced slight increase against the euro on Monday

Paddie Allen appointed as new air freight director for PML Seafrigo

USDA accepting applications for August trade mission to Colombia

Highlighting the potential of the Brazilian fruit sector

Fruit Attraction São Paulo has had a successful start

Sector | Miscellaneous

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Global industry recovering amid disturbances, excess supply and trade spats

Zespri faces potential loss due to mouse infestation in kiwifruit shipment

Finley, Washington

Lineage Logistics warehouse fire leads to mass evacuation

Birds threaten crops such as lychee, rambutan, mango, papaya, and corn

Kauai struggles with invasive parakeets

Berry fruit production and water challenges in Mangualde

“Non-negligible probability of long-term establishment in France,” according to ANSES

Reinforced surveillance of Asian fruit fly

Astronauts to study plant growth and development on the Moon

Sector | Fruit

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Massachusetts farmers fight frost to save crops

India's grape exports until mid-April

Total grape export volume amounts to 181,396 tons up to April 15th

Impact of apple harvest decline on Brazil's imports

Indications are favourable at start of Europe's stone fruit season

"Turkey and Poland have stopped sending apple shipments earlier than usual"

U.S. farmers received about half of what consumers paid for fresh strawberries from 2020–23

Polish apple export to Asia had serious challenges

"Delays were our biggest concern this season"

Sector | Herbs

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Moroccan rosemary supply hit by drought

Peter Mair of Gruppo Mec:

"Italian arugula cultivation becomes more professional and sustainable with each passing year"

Belgian company sees organic as a step toward the future

"We want to be a pioneer in the organic segment"

Fresh organic herb supply expected to start picking up in February

Retailer in North of England finds supplier with fresh range of new herbs

Natalia Moranth, Green Explosion:

“We want to introduce our Colombian fresh fruit to Europe”

Andrew Smith - Butler Market Gardens

“In the Christmas week we sell up to three times more herbs than normal"

Sector | Agenda

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Great start to MedFEL 2024

Moldovan ‘Fruit Day’ will take place July 12th

Over 12,000 visitors from 45 countries attended first Fruit Attraction São Paulo show

26 and 27 June 2024 Óbidos, Portugal -

Interpera 2024 to focus on technical visits in Portugal

May 28, 29 and 30

The Citrus Forum will feature over 50 international citrus cultivation experts

IFPA opens registration for the 2024 Global Produce and Floral Show

Unido Itpo Italy

Iraqi buyers and operators will also be in attendance at the fair

Sector | Citrus

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A difficult season for Moroccan citrus

Exploring market opportunities:

Oranges and mandarins from Egypt and Morocco in Central Asia

How to find new markets urgently

Prices for oranges in Egypt have fallen to 15 cents per kg

Jesús Pardines, from Orifruit: "We will still have quality fruit, freshly picked from the trees, until June"

"Spanish oranges are highly appreciated in the European market. They just don't want to pay for them"

In Georgia Owari Trial, yields peaked in 2021

The Alizza Fruit™ season 3 wins award and production expands to South Africa

Nathan Hancock - Citrus Australia

“We expect to see further growth in China over the next few years"

Sector | Organic

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Better outlook for the Senegalese organic mango campaign

US organic imports triple, exports are increasing

Organic share of bananas continues to exceed 30 percent

Mexican organic orchards offer better psyllid control

New "Inverted Natural Branding" of organic fruit and vegetables

Dole Organic Fair Trade Certified Pineapples selected as a Good Housekeeping's 2024 Sustainable Innovation Awards Winner

'Good prospects for U.S. organic product exports to the EU remain'

Sector | Health

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Dispelling the myth:

Scientific research confirms the truth about nuts and weight gain

Looking at vegetable intake and cancer risk reduction

Bananas facilitate quicker recovery after running

US study looks into beneficial gut microbes through whole-food dietary fiber

Harvard study links fruit and vegetable intake to longevity in the US

New research claims: Eating almonds can aid in post-exercise recovery

Avocado consumption linked to improved health in Australian survey

Sector | IT

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Free farm management app to save Italian growers time this season

Webinar helps ag industry protect itself from cyber threats

Through the digitalization of berth alignment

Ocean Network Express and Portchain ink deal to drive sustainability across the carrier’s network

© Nicoelnino | Dreamstime.com

Ransomware attacks on Ag companies:

"Attacks on the sector made up 5.5% of all ransomware operations globally"

Orchard Robotics receives $3.8 mln to build robots and AI to power precision crop management

Orchard Robotics creates data-driven module for existing farm machinery

Harry Tinson - Harvest Eye:

"The possibilities to adapt the technology for other crops is almost endless"

Sector | Innovations

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University of Illinois study:

Exploring sweet potato quality analysis in the U.S.

Polymer found in corn, potatoes and beans

Smart windows breakthrough in the U.S.

Post-harvest solution granted approval for use in Canada

Denise Junqueiro with Apeel Sciences

“Our technology provides shippers confidence for long haul shipments and to open up new export markets”

How more than 60 million pieces of fruit were stopped going to waste last year

Conserving two Olympic-sized swimming pools of water annually

Verdant Technologies and Sobeys partner on iceless broccoli

Using multispectral cameras to determine oranges' suitability for various products

Sector | Processed fruit and vegetables

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Collecting apples for juice and pulp processing

Two new flavors join salad kit line

Second biggest processing factory in Nigeria formally opened

Pomegranate fiber added to specialty ingredients lineup

McDonald’s french fry perfume is real

6.7% increase from the end of 2022

Brazilian orange juice stock levels see a rise

New Florida fresh-cut facility showcased during Southern Exposure

Sector | Cooling

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Cold chain 101: Exploring the cold chain, one link at a time

Transportation and redistribution connects supply to demand

To support food security in Lincolnshire

Magnavale Easton development approaches finish line

Launch of new refrigerated ocean transportation service utilizing electric field technology

MSC South Africa Inaugurates MEDLOG Cold Store Facility, revolutionizing trade dynamics in the region

Bangladesh looks to US investment in cold storage to curb losses

Commercial value of reefer exports through Oakland topped $7 billion:

Port of Oakland remains preferred gateway for refrigerated export cargo in 2023

Maersk’s new integrated cold chain facility at Ruakura Superhub brings the Golden Triangle to life

Sector | Food safety

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EU Commission first implementation report:

The relevance of combating Unfair Trading Practices and the need for further EU actions

Infinite Herbs-brand organic basil sold at Trader Joe’s stores

Organic basil: Outbreak investigation of Salmonella

Pesticide levels in imported produce are a concern in the U.S.

Industry input needed for Australian certification standards

Enoki Mushrooms recalled due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination

K-Fresh brand Enoki Mushroom recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

FTI urges Thailand to scrutinize fruit and vegetable imports

Sector | Nuts and dried fruits

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Steve Koretoff & Flory Industries named 2024 Almond Alliance Members of the Year

"Chilean walnut production down by 15-25% compared to 2023"

Bearing almond acreage drops slightly – first time in decades

March US almond shipments exceed industry expectations

Leading pecan companies announce collaboration to elevate the pecan to new heights

The Chilean prune industry must continue to focus on China, without neglecting traditional markets

U.S. almond exports to Canada came to 2.57 tons in March 2024

Sector | Packaging and Labelling

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Concerns raised over new EU packaging rules

Sysco is driving more eco-friendly products and innovative solutions to reduce plastic and packaging waste

ExxonMobil and Constantia Flexibles develop recyclable freezer film in Poland

Launch of new packaging solutions

White paper outlines new technology solution in PE cling film

IFPA A-NZ calls for national approach to fruit sticker ban

Spanish supermarket uses Finnish technology to reduce packaging waste

Sector | Retail

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U.S. grocery sales are projected to slump over the next five years

Chipotle: Avocado-cutting robot is coming soon

Metro Inc. said that Q2 net income was down compared with a year ago

Carrefour’s sales rose 13.5% due to strong momentum in Latin America

Dom’s Kitchen & Market and Foxtrot Market ceased operations a few months after their merger

Wakefern Food Corporation will now offer DoorDash at its banners

Albertsons reported revenue of $18.3bln for the fourth quarter

166 stores added to Kroger’s divestiture plan for Albertsons acquisition deal

Some of Kroger merger lawsuit’s more novel complaints could face great scrutiny - Former FTC chair

CEO: BIM has not been officially asked to operate in Canada

From a failed business venture to launching a salad kit company

Grubhub is partnering with Mercato

Acquisition of 204 Stripes stores completed by 7-Eleven

Gopuff and Misfits Market partnership will deliver more than 300 items, including fresh fruit and vegetables

Sector | Global Market

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GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW ORANGES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW SWEET POTATOES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW STRAWBERRIES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW LIMES

Global market overview peppers

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GINGER

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW CUCUMBERS

Sector | Climate

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Drought emergency declared in Washington

Unprecedented floods in the United Arab Emirates destroy greenhouses

Berry grower focuses on reducing carbon footprint

Dutch importers climate targets approved by science based targets initiative

First public consultation -

Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules for fresh produce is now open

Water reserves in Spain stand at 57.8%

Impact of La Niña on Chilean agriculture: challenges and expectations

Sector | Cartoons

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Peruvian farmer claims world's oldest man record at 124 years

Pilot tattoos favorite crop: courgette

Record for fastest marathon in fruit costume

Pringles and Crocs unveil snack-friendly boots in limited-edition collaboration

Pineapple Passion

Man made a flute out of a carrot and it works perfectly

Why are vegetarian meals on planes so bad?