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Blueberries may delay symptoms of Parkinson's disease
A team of researchers from the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, suggested that blueberries may help in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.To reach this conclusion, the scientists studied the alpha-synuclein, a nuclear and synaptic protein located in the.....
Consumer program supports California strawberry & Florida blueberry deal
Wish Farms is now offering a year-round supply of conventional and organic strawberries and blueberries. With the Florida strawberry season completed, focus has turned to the California strawberry season and Florida blueberry season. Wish Farms grows strawberries in Salinas and Santa Maria. This will be the.....
Broccoli offers winter production opportunities for Florida
Most U.S. broccoli production occurs in the western United States. However, rising fuel and transportation costs may make it difficult for distribution to eastern markets to remain economically viable.This situation provides an opportunity for Florida growers, who have a transportation advantage in the.....
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Watermelon bin bids for nationwide adoption
The National Watermelon Association is urging retailers, shippers and paper companies to replace existing watermelon bins with a new preprint bin aimed at a consistent look nationwide and fewer stock-keeping units.The industry is over saturated with different bins; according to the association more than 200.....
US (CA): MonsterCots™ season begins at Grower Direct Marketing
The Monstercot™, a large sized clingstone fruit, is generally sweeter than traditional apricots and produces fruit earlier than most other varieties. This timing allows for retailers to promote Monstercots™ at the earliest point of the season to their customers. “Grower‐shippers across the State have.....
Researching non-native pests
U.S. Farm Bill funds $5.4 million to battle invasive species in Florida
They are creepy, crawly and do not belong in Florida. Invasive species cost residents a half a billion dollars a year but now the federal government is stepping in to fork out millions to help fight the growing pest problem.Farmers like Nancy Roe, who farms for Green Cay Produce in Suburban Boynton Beach,.....
North Dakota potato growers accused of spoiling crops, insurance fraud
Federal prosecutors have increased allegations against farming brothers from Northwood, N.D., saying they added chemicals to potato seeds to cut production in a crop insurance fraud case, taking $2 million from fraudulent insurance claims since 2002 as well as federal disaster funds.Aaron Scott Johnson, 50,.....
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Orange juice prices increase due to disease
Price of orange juice continues to soar due to Florida oranges suffering disease since the start of the season. Florida is the world's second orange juice producer and harvest is expected to drop 18% this year. This means that prices will be similar to 1985 (disastrous frost) which caused a surge in orange.....
Supreme Court skeptical about Coca Cola pomegranate juice claims
Coca-Cola didn't get much love from the Supreme Court on Monday in claiming that its Minute Maid pomegranate-blueberry juice is the real thing."Misleading," "deceptive" and "labels that cheat the consumers" were some of the descriptions used by the court to describe Coke's name for a product that contains.....
US (CA): First ever Peruvian organis pomegranate arils to arrive this week
San Francisco-based Pacific Organic Produce will be importing its first ever Peruvian organic pomegranate arils this week, it has been reported.Pacific Organic founder Greg Holzman noted it was not possible to import the organic fruit whole, but the arils offered a refreshing, alternative option for the.....
Artichoke peak volume ending
A late Easter and an early start for peak artichoke production meant holiday tables laden with California’s official state vegetable relied more this year on medium and smaller sizes.Field workers harvest Ocean Mist heirloom artichokes. Mike HornickField workers harvest Ocean Mist heirloom artichokes.“Larger.....
Hollandia Produce, LP scores 100% during Primus GFS Certification audit
Hollandia Produce, LP, grower and shipper of Live Gourmet and Grower Pete’s brands of living lettuce and leafy greens, today announced it has earned a perfect score on its PrimusGFS certification audit, recently conducted by Primus Laboratories. PrimusGFS is a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) recognized.....
Central America
Mexico: "Global avocado demand surpasses supply"
Seventeen years have passed since the U.S. opened its borders to Mexican avocados and during this time it has achieved remarkable progress. The Mexican avocado production and industry have shown a level of maturity that has allowed it to overcome all of the quality, safety and residual challenges imposed by.....
South America
40 pests were detected in the Chilean apples
Bolivia returns 23,000 kilos of contaminated apples to Chile
After running 40 samples from different fruit boxes being transported in a truck, over 23,000 kilos of apples have been returned to Chile because they contained at least 40 pests.The district head of the National Agricultural and Food Safety Service (SENASAG), Lizeth Garcia, reported that, even though there.....
Peruvian peach exports have increased by almost 50%
Peruvian peach exports have increased during the month of April 2014.Peru's Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (Minagri) said that the country had exported 141.6 tons valued at $70,420 dollars (51,000 euro) and that Ecuador was their main target market.Shipments of this fruit in April have increased.....
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Asia
Sichuan Wusheng citrus plantation reached 165,000 acres
In recent years, Wucheng County in the Sichuan Province has built the Jialing River Ecological Economic Zone as an opportunity to develop the citrus industry, rural tourism, and a new source of income for the local farmers.Currently, the county’s citrus plantation has reached 165,000 acres, with an annual.....
India tightens certification norms for fruits, veggies to pacify EU
Exports of all perishable items to the European Union from India will now be routed through recognised pack-houses under the vigilance of plant protection inspectors to minimise quality glitches. The move is aimed at convincing the EU, that recently banned export of five fruits and vegetables from India as.....
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Fruit imports increase in Q1 to 4,496 tons at Zhongshan Port
Zhongshan Inspection and Quarantine Bureau reports that in the first quarter of this year, the Zhongshan Port imported 4,496 tons of fruit, already 75% of last years total imported weight. The first quarter amounts to 13.35 million USD. Two of the main reasons for the increase in imported fruits this year is.....
Guangdong, China:
Vegetable prices on decrease, but ginger prices still up
Out of 41 vegetables in the Guangdong Province, 30 vegetables prices are down by 1.11% as reported this week by the province’s "food basket" price monitoring center.While most vegetable prices have declined slightly. Of the 41 vegetables monitored, the average price is at 3.55 yuan per half a kilo, a 1.11%.....
Liuzhou Market:
China: Vegetables, fruits have adequate supply causing drop in prices
Liuzhou's main local vegetables average 3.11 yuan/half kilo, down this week by 0.95%. Normally as the temperature rises gradually, vegetables prices slightly rise. Steady rainfall keeps the overall vegetables operations smooth, therefore keeping supply adequate and prices stable. (1 yuan= $0.16 USD)Last.....
Haagen-Dazs vegetable ice cream flavors to debut in Japan
In a new experiment that is sure to get kids to eat their veggies, global ice cream maker Haagen-Dazs announced plans to sell two vegetable-flavored ice creams in Japan next month.The "Spoon Vege" flavors, Tomato Cherry and Carrot Orange, listed as containing 8.5% milk fat, according to a press release.....
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