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US (VA): Slow start to strawberry season
Strawberry blooms are turning into berries a bit late this year, Virginia farmers say.After a cold winter and chilly Spring, most pick-your-own strawberry fields opened two or three weeks later than usual."They were really slow getting started. I mean, really slow," says Carolyn Lilley, owner of Lilley.....
US: Bad year for potato cultivation, good for research
Although it's been a tough year for Florida potato growers, state University researchers say it has been a good year in which to conduct research. "This is a good year to test potatoes," said Doug Gergela, research coordinator at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Hastings.....
California poised for record strawberry crop
Despite growers combating freezing temperatures earlier this year, the California strawberry crop is poised for record production, according to the California Strawberry Commission. “We’ve caught up and are well ahead of last year’s production. We’re shipping around 7 million trays a week out of California,.....
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Michigan fruit less damage than feared
Michigan fruit tree growers who suffered devastating freeze losses one year ago seem to have sustained less serious damage from this week’s late frost.Growers took extraordinary steps ahead of Monday’s frost and freeze warnings, using helicopters, wind machines, orchard heaters and bonfires to keep the cold.....
Changes to Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program concern industry
Specialty crops continue strong momentum in Farm Bill
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, a national coalition of more than 120 organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, commends House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, Ranking Member Collin Peterson and committee members for.....
For peach research
US: David Byrne receives national 2013 Carroll R. Miller Award
Dr. David Byrne, Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist in College Station, has received the Carroll R. Miller Award from the National Peach Council.The award was established in memory of Miller of Martinsburg, W.V., a founding member and first president of the peach council, according to the group’s.....
United Fresh 2013 attendees honor best new products
Attendees to the United Fresh Produce Association’s annual convention and expo in San Diego cast their votes Wednesday and recognized this year’s New Product Awards in five categories. More than 30 fresh fruit and vegetable innovations competed in the categories of Best New Food Safety Solution, Best New.....
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More than $10,000 in Prizes
US: Third annual Mango Mania Display Contest commences in July
The National Mango Board (NMB) is calling on mango shippers for their help to encourage small retailers to participate in their third annual Mango Mania Display Contest throughout the month of July. The contest is designed specifically for individual stores or small chains with up to 50 stores to help boost.....
Matrix features Triton High-Speed Bagging Machine at United Fresh
Matrix Packaging Machinery, powered by Pro Mach, will showcase at United Fresh, May 14-16 at the San Diego Convention Center, the Triton, a vertical form-fill-seal machine optimized for the fresh produce packaging industry. The Triton automated bagging machine, which comes in two models, can help fresh.....
Central America
Cuba: Drastic drop in citrus and banana production
The citrus harvest experienced a 34% drop and fruits in general fell by 14%. Bananas were one of the crops falling the most sharply, with a 44% drop.Despite the efforts made to increase the agricultural production and reduce food imports, the most recent statistics foreshadow trouble for the country's.....
South America
Argentinian pomegranate exporters gaining relevance
"Five years ago, pomegranates were grown almost nowhere in Argentina," explained Horacio Raiman. There were some small plantations, but production volumes were insufficient for export. Seeing a good opportunity to create a business that could increase pomegranate production and make exports viable, Raiman.....
In January and February
Peru: Banana exports grow by 16%
Peruvian banana exports to Mexico reached a value of 15.2 million dollars during January and February; 16% more than during the same period in 2012, as announced by the Foreign Trade Association of Peru (ComexPeru).Banana exports showed a good performance, growing by 210% over the past seven years, with.....
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Argentina: An improvement in the production of bananas is being promoted
In order to prevent the damage caused by the black weevil from becoming a risky health problem for the productivity of the banana crop, Mision Tacaaglé's Centre for Validating Agricultural Technologies (CEDEVA) and Biofabrica Misiones SA agreed on performing integrated management joint measures based on a.....
Peru can position itself as a major supplier of fresh peppers for the US
There is a great opportunity for Peruvian exports of fresh peppers to United States, and Peru can position itself as a major supplier, said the Association of exporters (Adex).Patricia Fernan-Zegarra, general manager of Adex, noted that the work group Pro-Peppers, made up of companies in the sector, Adex and.....
Oceania
Citrus gall wasp found in Western Australia
Western Australia's status as citrus gall wasp free has been threatened by the discovery of infested trees in a suburban property Northeast of Perth.The wasp reduces foliage on trees and the amount of fruit they can grow.The Department of Agriculture and Food is asking commercial and domestic citrus growers.....
Delayed strawberry planting may prove fruitful for growers
Queensland Strawberries says wet weather earlier this year has delayed planting of some varieties, but may be a blessing in disguise.Industry development officer Jennifer Rowling says last year's bumper harvest reduced prices and farmers' profits.However she says delays in planting some varieties this year.....
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Vegetable growers back Greens labelling Bill
AUSVEG is backing the bill introduced yesterday into the Senate by Leader of the Greens, Senator Christine Milne, which seeks to overhaul Australia’s Country of Origin Labelling laws.The Bill seeks to simplify food labelling claims, with Senator Milne stating yesterday that, “current food labelling laws are.....
New agrichemicals legislation will add costs, cut access
Peak horticulture organisation Growcom is dismayed at the passage of new agricultural chemicals legislation through the lower house of the Federal Parliament this week.Chief Advocate Rachel Mackenzie said that the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment Bill had been strongly criticised.....
Africa
Large Brazilian cashew firm to set up $25m processing plant in Ghana
A Brazilian processing company, Usibra Ghana Limited, is to establish a $25 million cashew processing plant in Ghana.The plant, which is expected to process 300 metric tonnes of cashew daily, will provide about 2,000 direct jobs in the country.The Director of Usibra Ghana Limited, Mr. Tarisco Falcao,.....
World
Maersk posts Q1 profit
Maersk has posted a first-quarter profit as freight rates picked up.Maersk Line’s net income totaled $204 million, compared with a loss of $599 million a year earlier, the Copenhagen-based group said today in a statement. That beat the average estimate of $160 million in a Bloomberg survey of six.....
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