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Tuesday, August 21, 2018

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Northwest growers prepare for Brussels sprouts season

Brussels sprouts shippers in the Pacific Northwest are gearing up for the start of their season in less than two weeks. Despite some unusually warm days, the weather in the region has been largely helpful to growing conditions. Volume and quality are looking good and harvest is expected to begin on time."We.....

Tariffs likely to challenge California almond market this year

The almond season in California is on the cusp of starting. Some growers have yet to start while others are already in the fields, knocking the trees and allowing the nuts to dry on the ground before picking them up. Earlier this year, a frost had likely caused some damage to almond trees but growers are yet.....

Soren Skou - AP Moller-Maersk

‘Trump’s trade war will hurt America more than anyone else’

The CEO of AP Moller-Maersk, the world’s biggest operator of container ships, has predicted that President Trump’s trade war will harm the US more than any other country.Speaking at Maersk’s global headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, Soren Skou said the US-led conflict, which has seen Washington and Beijing.....

100 degree days greet start of Washington potato season

The start of the Washington potato season has experienced a few bumps as volume picks up. It has been a hot summer in the growing region which has placed stress on some fields. Early volume and quality, however, is looking excellent. Currently, smoke haze from wildfires in surrounding regions has shielded the.....

New facility for lime grower-shipper ready in months

Having reported growth in the past several years, SiCar Farms of Mission, Texas, is opening a new state of the art facility in December 2018. This new facility is expected to handle three times the company’s current production capacity.SiCar Farms anticipates the new facility will position the company to grow.....

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"Price reaches record high"

"US summer oranges popular in Chinese market"

"On April 2nd, China increased customs tariffs on the import on some US agricultural products as part of the ongoing Sino-US trade war. This directly increased the cost price for importers, and of course the market price of the products also increased. This development is most obvious for oranges in the.....

Sun Pacific promotes Popovac to Director of Sales

Sun Pacific has promoted senior sales executive Brano Popovac to Director of Sales. Popovac has over 15 years in the produce industry and has enjoyed the last 6 years with Sun Pacific as a senior sales executive. He has been responsible for growing partnerships, increasing sales, and expanding national.....

UF/IFAS

Experts suggest varieties for Irma-damaged citrus replanting

As growers decide how to use USDA funding to recover from damage caused by Hurricane Irma – and as they cope with the lingering impact of citrus greening - University of Florida researchers are suggesting varieties for them to replant.Producers can grow varieties that show tolerance to greening, also known as.....

Salad vending machines becoming big business in Chicago

Forget crisps, gum and candy bars: Chicago is all about putting leafy greens into its vending machines. Since 2013, more than 170 salad vending machines called Farmer’s Fridge have popped up throughout the city in airports, universities, hospitals and shopping areas, all because a then-27-year-old sales.....

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CEO Metro Eric La Flèche:

‘New tariffs could lead to price increases in Canada’

Though it’s still early days and negotiations with suppliers continue, Metro’s CEO says grocery prices may increase slightly in the coming months as the industry grapples with the fallout from the Canada-US trade war.On Canada Day the government implemented tariffs on a number of American-made goods including.....

Latest photo reports

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PMA Fresh Connections South Africa 2018

PMA Fresh Connections South Africa 2018

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Driscoll's field tour 2018

Driscoll's field tour 2018

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OZblu grower’s conference 2018

OZblu grower’s conference 2018

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Organic Produce Summit 2018

Organic Produce Summit 2018

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West Pak tour

West Pak tour

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GLOBAL FOCUS

Soft / Stonefruit

Chile: Grapes, blueberries, and cherries at the PMA Breakfast Seminar

Chile is the world's leading exporter of table grapes, and has more hectares devoted to this fruit than to any other fruit. Cherries reached historical levels in the 2017/18 season, with a record export of 185 thousand tons worth US $804 million, i.e. 93% and 80% more, respectively, than in the previous.....

Maine's wild blueberry industry at crossroads

Maine is in the midst of its wild blueberry season right now. Pickers are busy raking bushes and packing berries. It's been a tough summer though with unusually high temperatures along with a lack of rain. Indeed, growers of highbush berries in some parts have already finished for the year. "The intense heat.....

USDA Gain Report

Chile stone fruit – MY2017/18

Chile’s cherry exports reached a record of 184,741 tons in MY2017/18. Areas planted with cherry trees grew steadily at a 10.2 percent rate, surpassing 30,000 hectares in MY2017/18. Eighty five percent of Chilean cherries are exported to China. Post estimates MY2018/19 cherry exports to remain flat at 185,000.....

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North Americamore »

100 degree days greet start of Washington potato season

The start of the Washington potato season has experienced a few bumps as volume picks up. It has been a hot summer in the growing region which has placed stress on some fields. Early volume and quality, however, is looking excellent. Currently, smoke haze from wildfires in surrounding regions has shielded the.....

Tariffs likely to challenge California almond market this year

The almond season in California is on the cusp of starting. Some growers have yet to start while others are already in the fields, knocking the trees and allowing the nuts to dry on the ground before picking them up. Earlier this year, a frost had likely caused some damage to almond trees but growers are yet.....

Northwest growers prepare for Brussels sprouts season

Brussels sprouts shippers in the Pacific Northwest are gearing up for the start of their season in less than two weeks. Despite some unusually warm days, the weather in the region has been largely helpful to growing conditions. Volume and quality are looking good and harvest is expected to begin on time."We.....

Click here to receive this news directly in your inbox

Soren Skou - AP Moller-Maersk

‘Trump’s trade war will hurt America more than anyone else’

The CEO of AP Moller-Maersk, the world’s biggest operator of container ships, has predicted that President Trump’s trade war will harm the US more than any other country.Speaking at Maersk’s global headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, Soren Skou said the US-led conflict, which has seen Washington and Beijing.....

Chilean kumquat season kicks off

Fresh kumquats from Chile are in season starting in late August to fill the demand for the tangy and sweet, bite-size citrus.“Shoppers are asking for kumquats year-round, not just in the winter anymore,” said Alex Jackson Berkley, assistant sales manager at Frieda’s Specialty Produce. “Even Oprah recently.....

New facility for lime grower-shipper ready in months

Having reported growth in the past several years, SiCar Farms of Mission, Texas, is opening a new state of the art facility in December 2018. This new facility is expected to handle three times the company’s current production capacity.SiCar Farms anticipates the new facility will position the company to grow.....

Sun Pacific promotes Popovac to Director of Sales

Sun Pacific has promoted senior sales executive Brano Popovac to Director of Sales. Popovac has over 15 years in the produce industry and has enjoyed the last 6 years with Sun Pacific as a senior sales executive. He has been responsible for growing partnerships, increasing sales, and expanding national.....

Click here to receive this news directly in your inbox

US eases up on Mexican agriculture in NAFTA talks

Last week, two of NAFTA’s member nations made progress in their agricultural negotiations for a modernized trade agreement. The United States has removed a demand related to Mexican imports.In September, the Trump administration proposed limiting or banning seasonal imports of produce including strawberries,.....

CEO Metro Eric La Flèche:

‘New tariffs could lead to price increases in Canada’

Though it’s still early days and negotiations with suppliers continue, Metro’s CEO says grocery prices may increase slightly in the coming months as the industry grapples with the fallout from the Canada-US trade war.On Canada Day the government implemented tariffs on a number of American-made goods including.....

UF/IFAS

Experts suggest varieties for Irma-damaged citrus replanting

As growers decide how to use USDA funding to recover from damage caused by Hurricane Irma – and as they cope with the lingering impact of citrus greening - University of Florida researchers are suggesting varieties for them to replant.Producers can grow varieties that show tolerance to greening, also known as.....

Great Kills, Staten Island

New York state: Italy native grows giant vegetables in backyard

Joseph Agro is one serious gardener. He's so serious, he grows giant vegetables. "I love the garden. It reminds me of when I was young and where I grew up in Sicily. [That's where] growing and preparing was a tradition.” Although his wife makes sauce from the tomatoes he grows and other delights from the.....

National Retail Report - Specialty Crops

Which produce items are advertised most by major retail supermarkets?

In 1982, President Ronald Reagan declared August National Peach Month, and called on Americans to add more peaches to their diets. Retailers made that easier for shoppers by making peaches the most advertised fruit this week. Local peaches were advertised in every region of the country except Hawaii and.....

Salad vending machines becoming big business in Chicago

Forget crisps, gum and candy bars: Chicago is all about putting leafy greens into its vending machines. Since 2013, more than 170 salad vending machines called Farmer’s Fridge have popped up throughout the city in airports, universities, hospitals and shopping areas, all because a then-27-year-old sales.....

Maine's wild blueberry industry at crossroads

Maine is in the midst of its wild blueberry season right now. Pickers are busy raking bushes and packing berries. It's been a tough summer though with unusually high temperatures along with a lack of rain. Indeed, growers of highbush berries in some parts have already finished for the year. "The intense heat.....

Latin Americamore »

Diego Castagnasso from Azul Sereno

Uruguay: Small delay in start of blueberry season

“It's been a very cold winter, which is good for the productivity of the plants. I expect we will be a bit on the late side with the start of the blueberry season. We will start with the Snowchaser variety, which probably has a 10 to 15 day delay. However, we still have some time to go in which a lot can.....

Amid rampant hyperinflation

Venezuela rolls out new currency

Venezuela has rolled out a new currency, removing five zeroes from the bolivar, in a bid to tame the country's rampant hyperinflation. Critics however say the new measures will only make matters worse. President Nicolas Maduro declared Monday a national holiday to mark the introduction of a "sovereign.....

Dominican Republic: Deforestation and climate affect banana exports

In 2015 and part of 2016, a prolonged drought affected the banana plantations of the Northwest Line. Then, the production was affected by constant rains associated with storms and cyclones that worsened at the end of 2017, which caused large floods that damaged the farms. Since they were not sure they could.....

Chiquita, a history of buying and selling

Panama: "Chiquita was a kind of parallel government in Bocas del Toro"

Bocas del Toro in general, and Changuinola in particular, are indebted to Chiquita for its first public infrastructures. The banana company arrived in the area in 1896, when Panama was still part of Colombia. Since then, and up until 2014, Chiquita was part of the Chiquita Brands company, based in Charlotte,.....

Peru: Cusco positions itself as an exporter of avocado for Europe, Asia and the US

In 2018, the district of Limatambo, in the region of Cusco, exported 1,258 tons of Hass avocado to the markets of Europe, Asia and the United States, i.e. 162 percent more than the 777 tons it exported in the 2017 campaign.The avocado agricultural export activity from the Valley of Limatambo Cusco obtained.....

Mexico is the tenth biggest exporter of food in the world

The head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Baltazar Hinojosa Ochoa, stated at the Expo Mexico Alimentaria Food Show 2018, that the primary sector in the country had increased by 42.9 percent in the last six years, and Mexico was the tenth biggest exporter of food in the world.In addition, it is also the leading.....

The impact of the crisis

Nicaragua: Huge losses for avocado and pineapple producers

More than 60 producers of avocado and pineapple have been directly affected by the crisis in Nicaragua, and registered losses that amounted to seven million dollars because they cannot sell their products.According to Octavio Ambrogi, the general manager of Coopranic (the Cooperative of avocado producers of.....

Magdalena and La Guajira

Colombia: Banana exports increased by 4.2% in the first half of the year

In the first semester of 2018, the banana, the country's flagship fruit, consolidated itself as the country's third most important agricultural export product. The main destinations were the markets of Belgium, the United States, Italy, and the United Kingdom.According to data provided by the Sociedad.....

Argentina introduces GMO potato to combat virus destroying up to 70% of crop

Argentina’s Ministry of Food and Bioeconomy, under the Ministry of Agribusiness, authorized the commercialization of the seed and the products and by-products derived from the transgenic potato TIC-AR233.Argentine researchers developed the tuber that has as its main characteristic a resistance to the PVY.....

Chile: Grapes, blueberries, and cherries at the PMA Breakfast Seminar

Chile is the world's leading exporter of table grapes, and has more hectares devoted to this fruit than to any other fruit. Cherries reached historical levels in the 2017/18 season, with a record export of 185 thousand tons worth US $804 million, i.e. 93% and 80% more, respectively, than in the previous.....

Procomer present at Asia Fruit Logistica

Costa Rica: Enhancing logistics to increase export to China

“After the Chinese market opened, everyone was very excited because of the large demand for the Costa Rican pineapples. The exports started growing and we shipped several containers. However, we noticed a slowdown in exports from the beginning of this year. This isn't a market issue, but more a logistics issue.....

Asiamore »

"Spray system in vacuum cooling machinery could improve product quality of mushrooms"

"Mushrooms are seen as a rarity among food products because they have high nutritional value, fresh flavor, low heat, and are healthy. However, fresh mushrooms contain a lot of moisture and they are easily damaged during transport, packaging, and storage. This causes the mushrooms to lose product quality and.....

"Price reaches record high"

"US summer oranges popular in Chinese market"

"On April 2nd, China increased customs tariffs on the import on some US agricultural products as part of the ongoing Sino-US trade war. This directly increased the cost price for importers, and of course the market price of the products also increased. This development is most obvious for oranges in the.....

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China imposes tariffs on U.S. fries and dehydrated potatoes

The escalating trade war between the U.S. and China increased further as both sides recently announced new multi-billion tariffs on a host of goods.As expected, China included U.S. fries and dehydrated potatoes on its announced retaliation list. The new tariffs are 10 percent on fries and 25 percent on dehy......

Flooding in Kerala state

Indian vegetable lorries stuck on Kuthiran stretch after landslide

Heavy vehicles carrying vegetables and other essential materials from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have been stuck for the past two days on the Palakkad- Thrissur National Highway after the Kuthiran stretch became unpassable following heavy landslides.This situation may pose a threat to the availability of.....

Due to rising demand for ’vegan meat’

India: 500 ton increase in jackfruit exports

India’s jackfruit market is thriving, in large part because of the growing demand for vegan meat across the globe. When cooked, unripe jackfruit has a texture similar to pulled pork or chicken, making it a popular vegan option in countries such as the UK, the US, and Germany. Brands such as The Jackfruit.....

Africamore »

Superfoods to supercharge an ailing economy

Photo report PMA Fresh Connections, South Africa

PHOTO REPORT“We can grow the economy very rapidly if we start focusing on superfoods,” Tommy van Zyl, CEO of tomato producer ZZ2, and vice-chair of the PMA global board of directors, told delegates at last week’s PMA Fresh Connections conference. "We have to focus on the crops that in the global context have an almost.....

SPECIAL

Asia Fruit Logistica

Procomer present at Asia Fruit Logistica

Costa Rica: Enhancing logistics to increase export to China

“After the Chinese market opened, everyone was very excited because of the large demand for the Costa Rican pineapples. The exports started growing and we shipped several containers. However, we noticed a slowdown in exports from the beginning of this year. This isn't a market issue, but more a logistics issue.....

Jupiter taking ARRA grapes to Asia

Jupiter will be joining other global leaders from the fresh fruit and vegetable industry in Asia where they will be showcasing their pioneering and superior, new varieties of ARRA table grapes. Founder and group CEO Mark Tweddle and Asia Pacific General Manager Allan Lo will be joined by other members of the.....

BanaBay (Ceinconsa) present at Asia Fruit Logistica

“We are planning to increase our own banana production significantly”

“Our company started trading in the Asian market in 2014, starting with some trial containers. Now it has become a major market for us. We have grown significantly due to the large needs of bananas from this region. It’s definitely a market we are focusing on a lot to continue exploring it. Customers from.....

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Europemore »

Bart Nemegheer, De Aardappelhoeve:

“Challenge is to guarantee quality of the potatoes”

The potato market is still under pressure because of the dry weather. “The rain that fell in recent days, is a bit too late. The damage has been done. Some varieties will recover somewhat, but yields will be low. Yields are between 15 and 30 tonnes, and that’s very disappointing,” says Bart Nemegheer of De.....

25 years of Commercial Fruits

France: "We were forerunners in avocados and pomegranates"

Commercial Fruits is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Gabriel Burunat, founder and president of the company, was the first to import Peruvian avocados into Europe. The 'king of Rungis’ avocados’, as he is called in a documentary, did not see the time pass."We have always tried to be a forerunner in certain.....

Maersk's revenue growth does not mean higher profits

Earlier this month Maersk issued a profit warning. The 2018 second quarter figures showed that they had an increase in turnover. Despite this, the upward trend did not translate into higher profits. High bunker costs and a disappointing tariff recovery are to blame.Over the second quarter, this Danish shipping.....

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Moving to more technological methods of production is a must

Apricots are one of the main drivers of the economy in Malatya, and apricot growers are facing many challenges in the production. Last year a lot of apricot trees were damaged due to climate conditions and insufficient irrigation systems and that is why the production in the city declined to 70,000 tons. This.....

Aldi to phase out black plastic trays that are not recyclable

Black plastic trays, which cannot be readily recycled, are being phased out by budget chain Aldi. The move comes after the government announced plans for a crackdown on firms which sell products in single-use throwaway plastic. They are doing so through the introduction of new levies and taxes on the trays,.....

Somerset

UK: Lost gold ring found on carrot

A gold ring that was lost in a vegetable garden 12 years ago has been found on a carrot dug up for dinner.Lin Keitch from Monkton Heathfield in Somerset, noticed the lost jewellery while washing her home-grown vegetables. The ring had been a 40th birthday present from her husband Dave, and was lost by their.....

Combination cutting machines increases efficiency of Arthur David

“Sometimes the need for flexibility is bigger than for capacity”

For ambitious, start-up, catering companies, food processors that offer specialised products or companies that need a cutting machine for lower capacity on their lines, flexibility can sometimes be more important than the need for capacity. They naturally don’t want to lose cutting quality. Manual work takes.....

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Kennisinstituut Duurzaam Verpakken

"Organically degradable plastic packaging isn't preferred"

Recently there has been a discussion as to whether and how the use of organically degradable plastic packaging offers opportunities for producers and importers who bring packaged products on the market. The Kennisinstituut Duurzaam Verpakken (Knowledge institute of Sustainable Packaging) has heard about this.....

Which country suffered the most?

Drought in Europe

What caused the unusually hot and dry weather, and threatened Europe?According to the world meteorological organization (WMO) in the first half of the summer cause of the drought became prolonged periods of hot weather, record high temperatures and extremely low rainfall.Already the spring months, April and.....

Oceaniamore »

MyFarm Investments:

‘NZ pipfruit industry heading for record 2018 crop’

New Zealand's pipfruit industry is headed for a record crop this year as it benefits from favourable growing weather, low Northern Hemisphere stocks, market changes, premium varieties, and a weaker New Zealand dollar, according to a report published today by MyFarm Investments.The vast majority of the 2018.....

Worldmore »

2018-2022 expected to be abnormally hot years

The worldwide heatwave this summer makes 2018 a particularly hot year. And the next few years will be similar, according to a study led by Florian Sévellec, a researcher at the Laboratory for Ocean Physics and Remote Sensing (University of Brest) and at the University of Southampton.Using a new method, a.....

Maersk Line goes live with CargoSphere Digital Rate Distribution

CargoSphere, the neutral rate network for container shipping, today announced that Maersk Line has gone live with digital, fully-automated distribution of its contract rates and amendments.Maersk Line, the world’s largest container shipping company, is now digitally distributing its rates to shipper, freight.....

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Top 10 sunniest countries

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Mexico's size compared to European countries

It's bigger than I thought, anyway.

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Cherries: The internet's most desirable fruit this summer

Cherries have been crowned the fruit of the summer. Cherry printed clothing, cherry-inspired accessories and cherry red hues have been dominating the fashion world for months now. In spring the cherry's emerging popularity already became clear, fter cherry prints popped up in fashion designers' collections......

Retail

Lidl to open 1st Maryland store

Walmart: virtual reality retail plans

US: Supervalu's retail store sales could incite a feeding frenzyWhen United Natural Foods eventually puts Supervalu’s remaining retail chains up for sale, it will offer grocers the rare opportunity to buy up prime real estate in major markets, according to various reports. UNFI said it planned to sell off.....

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