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Clamshell presentation aims to make lychee consumption more mainstream

Job Board | Newly added vacancies

more job offers

Celebrating mothers with new strawberry campaign

Texas peach crop faced with hail and lower chill hours

Minnesota carrot program expands

Fresh Del Monte to invest in soft fruit production in Southern Italy

Chile’s 2024 table grape harvest coming to an end

Star Ruby grapefruit added to spring citrus line

CPMA joins Parliamentarians’ visit to Washington

Panama Canal Authority to increase daily transits to 32

Sector | Vegetables

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Sanlucar and Galbani -

Spanish and Italian companies brings mozzarella cheese and tomatoes to German plates

"Lower European tomato production provided Turkish tomatoes an opportunity"

Is ToBRFV weakening in Morocco?

Japanese Ministry of Agriculture grants new approval for broccoli solutions
Stephen McCormack - McCormack Family Farms:

"A wrong decision for the sake of just getting crop in the fields could end up a very costly mistake"

Tomato industry stakeholders respond to Florida’s appeal for protectionist policies

The changing landscape of the pickling cucumber industry

Sector | Bananas

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Chiquita -

Banana brand makes debut at Milan Design Week

Organic banana yields should increase again soon

Colombian banana industry aiming for 5% volume growth in 2024

US Department of Labor awards grant to enhance compliance with international labor standards in Ecuador’s banana sector
ISF

Cocaine found at Port of Beirut in banana shipment from Ecuador

Latam banana producers unhappy with German retailer's low price promotion

Tissue cultured propagation of exotic Blue Java banana plant sees first harvest in India

Sector | Potatoes and Onions

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Rufus Pilgrim - R.S. Cockerill

"We will predominantly grow seed for our crisping and fresh customers"

Some harvesting of California onions to begin this week

Egypt will be exporting potatoes to Morocco and strawberries to Canada
Syngentafoundation.org

CIP and SFSA want to develop climate-resilient potatoes for tropical and subtropical conditions

Congresswoman Pingree leads bipartisan opposition to USDA reclassification of potatoes

Senators want Biden's help to open Japanese market to the U.S. potato industry
Simon Vale - Balle Bros

"New Zealand exports with the early focus on the EU and UK markets, with a move towards Asia from now"

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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Sparking a debate over the marketing method

Coles' customer sees 'Green Skin' stickers on Shepards avocado
Álvaro González, from Tropicsur: "This year, many growers will have fruit from the first flowering"

Could the Spanish mango season start earlier?

High Moroccan demand for Malian mangoes

Mexico's agricultural exports see growth in early 2024

Avocado grower and shipper launches avocado oil products
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Mango industry leads Baise onto the bright "mango" road to rural revitalization

New dragon fruit and rambutan line launches

Sector | Company news

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Staff changes at Markon
Allan Dodge with Pro Citrus Network

“Relationships are the biggest driver of our success”
ILFRES Espana

A new project for trade among European production districts

Maersk appoints new managing director for Central America

APM Terminals Buenos Aires appoints Manuel Delgado as Managing Director

WiseTech Global acquires Aktiv Data to expand global customs capability into Finland

Kuehne+Nagel streamlines organisational structure and strengthens customer proximity

Sector | Greenhouse

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View our photo gallery of the event:

"60 hectares of hydroponic greenhouses by 2028"

New sweet peppers meet growing demand for fresh snack options
Aralux plastic film by Agriplast (Italy):

By controlling heat energy better agronomic results can be acheived

New Texas greenhouse in the spotlight at VIVA Fresh

Greenhouse grown Romaine lettuce back in stores this spring

Hiiros Tomatoes earn Good Housekeeping’s 2024 Best Snack Award

Prior to launching, demand for purple tomato already exceeds supply

Sector | Logistics

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Iran's capture of the MSC Aries escalates tensions Middle East

'Potential for heightened war risk premiums and volatility in freight rates'
Multimodal Dry Canal project

Panama turns to a 'dry canal' amidst maritime challenges
Drewry
World Container Index - 11 Apr

Drewry’s World Container Index decreased by 1% this week
Bringing new employment opportunities to Hazleton, Pennsylvania

Lineage announces latest automated warehouse

Dispelling myths about Panama Canal operations

Baltimore bridge collapse has not led to an increase in ocean freight container shipping rates

Economist predicts decline of large container vessels in future trade landscape

Sector | Machinery

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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
Ray Rotar - Intralox:

Conveyor solutions supporting fruit and vegetable handling and processing applications
TechNature's optica sorters are gaining ground in onions and seed potatoes

"Side-camera technology picks up far more product defects"

Interesting auction for the potato processing industry

Sector | General fresh produce

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Engaging market players from Ukraine, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Georgia, and Tajikistan

The most profitable crop in 2024/25 – survey’s results

Efforts to stabilize prices for local agricultural produce in Qatar
USDA

U.S. retailers shifted to specials on springtime favorites like strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, lemons, and cantaloupes
USDA
USMCA seasonal perishable products weekly update:

'U.S. vegetable production dropped over 3% from 2017-2022'

HortNZ calls for urgent changes to RMA to protect New Zealand fruit and vegetable production

Second-anniversary gala raises over $450,000 to aid under-resourced communities

Vietnam and WSDA sign agreement on agri development and trade

Sector | Management

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Mexfly quarantines established in Texas

Mercosur meeting concludes with new initiatives in Paraguay

Rep. Dan Newhouse focuses on Washington state agri workforce dilemma

PAYR, the Finnish Potato Sector Association, joins Europatat

Kiwi rugby star Renee Holmes partners with First Fresh

AJ Griesel appointed as Managing Director for InteliGro Crop Solutions

APHIS establishes Mexican Fruit Fly Quarantine Areas in Texas

Sector | Miscellaneous

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Portugal

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
NASA

Astronauts to study plant growth and development on the Moon

CBP officers seize millions worth of methamphetamine at Otay Mesa cargo in the US
World Trade Bridge

CBP officers find over $8.4 million in methamphetamine in shipment of celery, broccoli, and cauliflower

Does Ramadan reduce productivity in packing houses?

Building a natural bee habitat to support bee populations

Sector | Fruit

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Brazilian fruit exports reached a milestone in 2023, surpassing 1.2 billion dollars in revenue

South Africa's table grape exports increased by 17% in 2023/24 season

New requirements for Moroccan watermelon exports
Exports up 100 times since 2018/19

Egypt’s strawberry boom in Kazakhstan

Georgia peach growers optimistic about 2024 season rebound

"The Greek strawberry sector has to deal with three really demanding challenges"

Promotions Committee of U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council names new chair

Sector | Herbs

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Gruppo Mec
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"

Fresh herb industry braces for Christmas as busiest week of the year while tackling challenges

Sector | Agenda

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Unido Itpo Italy

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

Fruit attraction in São Paulo to showcase Brazil's agricultural prowess
May 1-2, 2024

Buyers and suppliers connect in intimate setting at IFPA Retail Conference
April 29 - May 1, 2024

Guest list announced for Consumer Connection Conference

Looking back at summit on US-Mexico and Canada trade relations
Held on June 19 and 20 in Huelva

"Freshuelva is already preparing the 9th International Berry Congress"
We will be back Tuesday 2nd of April

Happy Easter from the FreshPlaza team

Sector | Citrus

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South Africa initiates WTO dispute against EU citrus blackspot regulations

"Export volumes of Israeli citrus are about 35 per cent lower this season"

SunCandy citrus celebrates second year of Breakfast Club of Canada partnership with new campaign

Large size profile for California Navel oranges until the end of the season

Spain is flooded with Egyptian oranges
USDA

Citrus harvest projection has Florida growers optimistic
São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt

Total orange production for the 2023-2024 crop season at 307.22 million boxes

Sector | Organic

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US organic imports triple, exports are increasing
Dreamstime
Switzerland:

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
USDA

'Good prospects for U.S. organic product exports to the EU remain'
Pieter Declercq, organics product manager, REO Veiling:

"Organic vegetables' better-matched supply improves market prices"

Sector | Health

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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

Is there a correlation between avocado consumption and heart health?

Sector | IT

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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"

Tech is bridging the gap between farms and politics in Spain

AI will help Spanish exporting companies find new European importers more easily

New RFP solution tools rolled out

Drewry launches interactive version of Container Capacity Insight through Container Freight Portal

Sector | Innovations

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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

Avocado ripeness checker debated by Australians

AgrigateOne invites industry to test-drive its market intelligence beta product
Pierneef Smit – Berda Fruit South Africa:

Electric fourwheeler: “The most cost-effective agri vehicle available in South Africa”
Michael Prinsloo – Nile Inputs Marketplace

Farmers now buy inputs right where they sell their produce

Sector | Processed fruit and vegetables

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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

Customer shows Birds Eye veggie mix has very little broccoli

Sector | Cooling

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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
Anton Viljoen, Stephan Antonowitz – Hexkoel

Beating the odds to get Hex grapes out into the world

Sector | Food safety

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Freshcare -

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

Jammu and Kashmir administration addresses concerns over artificially ripened fruits ahead of Ramadan

US study says refrigeration reduces E. coli contamination in leafy greens

Westfalia Fruit trials technology targeting food safety and sustainability

Sector | Nuts and dried fruits

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

Increased almond export opportunities in the UK from April 11

Asia and Europe are key markets for California pistachios and almonds

Brazilian nut exporters hope to regain lost market in Europe and US

US almond orchards: Promising progress in disease management ahead of summer

UK suspends tariffs on all raw almonds - beginning April 11
US exported more of its tree nuts than other major producers

Global trade of tree nuts has increased by 14 times in value since 2001

Sector | Packaging and Labelling

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White paper outlines new technology solution in PE cling film

IFCO expands its footprint in Mesquite, Florida

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

Spanish supermarket uses Finnish technology to reduce packaging waste

Presenting premium tomatoes like sweets in a cardboard tray

Why EU packaging rules could spell disaster for health and sustainability

Comparing the savings of pooled reusables vs. single-use crates

Sector | Retail

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Dreamstime
Abras: Brazilian supermarkets broke the barrier of R$1trn in revenue

SpartanNash has acquired Metcalfe’s Market
Dreamstime
Hannaford Supermarkets: New stores in Fort Kent and Madawaska, Maine

Walmart Canada has cut the ribbon on its “Store of the Future”
Dreamstime
Giant Eagle: New headquarters in Pennsylvania

Kroger is kicking-off Cinco de Mayo with a four-week Latin flavors event
Dreamstime
Phoenix Wholesale Foodservice acquired by What Chefs Want

Maison Solutions has agreed to buy Arizona-based three-store supermarket company
Dreamstime
3 supercenters for Meijer

FMI welcomes updates to WIC food package increasing fruit and vegetable benefits
Dreamstime
ALDI “membership” with perks like USDA quality meat, fresh produce and premium, budget friendly wine

Earth Fare is the first grocery store in the Southeast to partner with Prime Roots
Dreamstime
New Seasons Market is launching “Building Better Soil for a Healthier Future”

99 Cents Only to close all US stores

Sector | Global Market

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GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW SWEET POTATOES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW STRAWBERRIES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW LIMES
seasons start

Global market overview peppers

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GINGER

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW CUCUMBERS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW MANDARINS

Sector | Climate

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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

In a month, Sinaloa’s water supply will be reduced

Climate warming increases crop water demand in San Joaquin Valley groundwater-dependent agriculture

Water supply issues in Mexico force growers to make tough decisions

Sector | Cartoons

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

Why are vegetarian meals on planes so bad?

Local identity fuels fashion: Uttaradit's Durian-themed apparel attracts tourists

Students innovate with eco-friendly inks from fruit and vegetable leftovers

Banana outrage: the new focus of Delta Airlines lounge controversy

Cost-benefit analysis of banana peels and sweet potato vines in rabbit diets

Scorpion concealed in Costco bananas stings man