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North America

Dream Foods International introduces its products at the Natural Products Expo West Show
Dream Foods International, LLC (www.dreamfoods.com), proudly announces its new single serve Italian Volcano Blood Orange and Tangerine Juices. They are made from 100% pure single origin citrus grown in Sicily and are, not-from-concentrate, kosher, preservative free, juices with a delicious fresh-squeezed..... 0 comments

US (WA): Easterday Farms submits plans for new Pasco plant
Easterday Farms may have a new fresh potato packing plant in Pasco in time for the summer harvest.Easterday Farms purchased property in the Pasco Processing Center from the Port of Pasco for about $388,000 in July 2009, said Sam Good, port director of properties and development.Easterday Farms told the port..... 0 comments

US: Year of Heirloom Apples
With roughly nine out of ten apples varieties historically grown in the U.S. at risk of disappearing completely from the nation’s orchards, the Renewing America's Food Traditions (RAFT) Alliance has decided to celebrate 2010 as the Year of the Heirloom Apple. As part of their efforts to preserve and promote..... 0 comments

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US: Fruit and nut crops put state tops in production
California leads the nation in production of fruit and nut crops; including apricots, peaches, nectarines, olives, plums, prunes, pears, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, figs, persimmons, pomegranates, grapes, strawberries, and kiwi fruit.Temperate zone trees native to climates with distinct summer-winter..... 0 comments

US (SD): Grants available for specialty crops
The state Agriculture Department said it has grants available for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops such as fruits, dried fruits, tree nuts, vegetables and nursery plants.The money comes through the Specialty Crops Block Grant Program in the 2008 Farm Bill.The department said the..... 0 comments

Washington growers paying for U.S. trade violation
Protectionist trade policies invariably deliver more economic pain than gain. We're seeing this illustrated very close to home. Washington growers are reeling under the impact of high tariffs imposed by Mexico last year in retaliation for this country's refusal to allow long-haul Mexican trucks on U.S...... 0 comments

Central America

Stallman urges congress to ease Cuba trade restrictions
When it comes to competing for agricultural trade with Cuba, the United States is its own worst enemy. In testimony today before the House Agriculture Committee, American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman called on congressional members to support the Travel Reform and Export Enhancement Act, or..... 1 comments

South America

Peru: Citrus production to grow by 3.6% this year
The production of citrus will grow by 3.6% in 2010 due to the increase of the yield and the cultivated area, boosted by the growing demand of fresh citrus from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Holland, projected today the consultant Maximixe.It considered that an opportunity for the citrus..... 0 comments

Oceania

AU: Labour contractors under investigation in Queensland
Queensland's peak fruit and vegetable grower group says farmers still have obligations when using labour hire companies or contractors.It comes as the Australian Federal Police and Department of Immigration conduct investigations into workers on banana farms in Far North Queensland.It's believed the..... 0 comments

AU: Solution sought for bat-plagued fruit growers
The independent Member for Gippsland East wants the Victorian Government to meet local fruit growers to discuss damage caused by fruit bats.Craig Ingram says fruit crops around Bairnsdale are regularly damaged by a colony of about 20,000 bats.The bats are a protected species.Mr Ingram says local growers need..... 0 comments

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AU: Victorian fruit growers count storm losses
Up to $15 million worth of damage has been reported in Victorian orchards from thunderstorms on the Labour Day weekend.A report by the state's peak orchardist body, Fruit Growers Victoria, says one fifth of all Victorian orchards reported some damage.The organisation's general manager, John Wilson, says in..... 0 comments

Africa

"Egypt more important player"
First Egyptian potatoes in Europe
This week Fresh-Produce bv in Waalwijk received the first Egyptian potatoes. According to HaroldLoonen of Fresh-Producethe quality is very good. "Supply is going to be big. I expect to import more Egyptian potatoes than in previous years. It is noticeable that other countries, such as Spain and Portugal,have..... 0 comments

World

Raw cultured vegetables are digestive superfoods
For centuries raw fermented vegetables have provided medicinal properties throughout different cultures of the world. The mouth-watering zing that tickles the palate provides the perfect balance of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.Maintaining proper acid-alkaline pH is essential for life and a state of..... 0 comments

Europe

Zespri moving to new office
After twenty successful years in the centre of Antwerp Zespri is moving to Berchem now. During the last few years Zespri experienced a strong growth period and expect to expand further in the future as well. Zespri move to new premises in Berchem, Belgium, with ideal working conditions for the employees..... 0 comments

UK: Tomato the new, safe way to fight heart disease
An extract from tomato seeds has been found to be a potential alternative to aspirin in preventing heart attacks and strokes.A tomato derivative called Fruitflow, derived from the gelatine that surrounds tomato seeds, is apparently effective in reducing the risk of blood clotting.Scientists at Aberdeen's..... 0 comments

UK: Transcend offers better apple scab control
Improved apple scab control has been achieved with the help of a special adjuvant in an Agrovista trial. Transcend has the ability to ensure that fungicides reach leaf surfaces early in the season when the leaves are still very small and hairy and very prone to infection.Agrovista fruit agronomist Paul..... 1 comments

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Brits 'least likely to suffer from food reactions'
Britons are some of the least likely people to have problems with foods such as apples, says a study.The research, by Imperial College London, found people from US, Germany, Italy and Norway suffered more from food sensitivity reactions.The study, based on more than 4,500 adults from 13 countries, discovered..... 0 comments

Europe losing Caribbean’s support
In Madrid on May 18 the Spanish Government as President of the European Union will host the sixth summit of Heads of Government of the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean. In the margins, a series of bilateral mini-summits will be held including one on May 17 with Cariforum.The events are..... 0 comments

US: IPM, new apple varieties discussed at grower meeting
The room was filled to overflowing when fruit growers turned out for the recent Appalachian Fruit Growers meeting at the Arena Restaurant in Bedford.Dr. Rob Crassweller, Lynn Kime, Dr. Henry Ngugi, and entomologist Dr. Greg Krawczyk, all from Penn State, presented programs based on helping fruit growers with..... 0 comments

UK: Gene splice helps fight crop disease, say researchers
Biologists on Sunday said they had found a potential superweapon in a long-running arms race with bacteria that threaten essential crops.Tested in a lab, their technique entails inserting a gene kit into a plant so that its immune system recognises and fights germ invaders, they reported in the journal..... 0 comments

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Netherlands: apple- and pear stocks on 1 March 2010 x 1.000 tons*)

Poland: Decrease in prices of tomatoes
Deliveries of tomatoes from Turkey influenced the prices of tomatoes imported from Spain. On Friday, March 12, the wholesale price of tomatoes from Turkey was about 28 PLN (7.20 €)/carton 6 kg (size G). Although Spanish tomatoes still remain more expensive than Turkish ones, their price decreased from 52 -..... 0 comments

Only 100 attend Bulgaria anti-GMO protest
About 100 people gathered Saturday in downtown Sofia to voice their latest protest against the amendments of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Act.The rally is organized by several civic organizations and NGOs and was held under the motto: “Patriots for Bulgaria Clean of GMO.”The demonstrators vowed to..... 0 comments

Crunch time for EU, EAC trade talks
Talks on new trade between the East African Community and the European Union enter a critical stage this week when EAC trade ministers meet in Arusha, Tanzania.The four-day meeting that begins on Friday is expected to address areas of disagreement between the EAC and the EU with time running out on the March..... 0 comments

Ireland supports RP-Europe trade deal
Ireland is strongly supporting the Philippines’ move to pursue bilateral trade negotiations with the European Union to create a free trade agreement, Irish Ambassador Richard O’Brien told reporters in a briefing Thursday.“We are in favor of the creation of a free trade agreement because it will create a more..... 0 comments

Asia

Malaysians demand return of 'liberated' banana plantation
Zimbabwe's top brass have been asked by their Malaysian counterparts to save a banana farm appropriated by a retired army officer.The two countries have had good relationships until now, but the forcible occupation of Fangundu farm, in the east of the country, by retired Major-General Edzai Chimonyo has..... 0 comments

India: Organic food coming up in a big way
After kinnow, Punjab may be in for a banana revolution soon. The Biotechnology Park in Lucknow has generated G-9, a new variety of the fruit, which will soon find its way into the state. This was shared by Professor P K Seth, chief executive officer of the park, while on his visit to the city. He was one of..... 0 comments

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Turkey builds reputation in UK
Turkey is a heavyweight producer of fruit and vegetables, with a wide range of lines earmarked for the UK, from fruit staples citrus and cherries to vegetables and salads. However, the country has had to overcome a number of challenges to reposition itself and put right its international reputation to boost..... 0 comments

India: Heavy rains damage oranges
Unseasonal rains in the last two-three days in the region may have brought respite to the common man from sweltering heat, but for farmers and orange growers, these have proved to be extremely detrimental. Though only those farmers who sowed wheat late and have not harvested it yet or those who have..... 0 comments

Sri Lanka, Israel strengthens cooperation through technology
Israel will bring a high- powered business delegation to Sri Lanka in July to participate in the Economic Summit organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said Ambassador of Israel Mark Sofer. Ambassador Sofer said that the delegation will have one on one meetings with Sri Lankan businessmen to enhance..... 1 comments

US: Asian fruit fly invasion could ruin Oregon crops
Farmers, researchers and entomologists are racing to battle a destructive new fruit fly that first appeared in Oregon last summer and quickly wiped out much of the late-season peach and berry crops.Known as the spotted wing Drosophila, the fly is native to Asia and apparently spread to California in 2008...... 0 comments

Farming in arid climates can be profitable.
UAE: Salata Farms harvests quality in desert
A business in the Northern Emirates has proved that farming in arid climes can profitably yield quality produce and offer investment opportunities.Private equity firms are considering buying stakes in Salata Farms of Ras Al Khaimah, a medium-size venture that has embarked on $80 million (Dh293m) expansion..... 0 comments

Bangladesh: Five injured in clash over storing potato
At least five farmers were injured in a clash between potato cultivators and a group of traders over storing potatoes in Chasi Cold Storage at Mohendra Nagar village under sadar upazila of Lalmonirhat district yesterday.The injured were identified as Mofazzal Hossain, 42, of Harati village, Khaleque, 38, and..... 0 comments

Phippines: Chlorine can eradicate disease in mango
One way of eradicating anthracnose disease in mango fruits is the application of chlorine, according to the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE), a satellite organization under the Department of Agriculture (DA).Anthracnose, also called black spots, is caused by a fungus known as..... 0 comments

Philippines: El Niño good for mango industry, says Yap
After enduring a huge production slump last year, the country’s mango industry is expected to bounce back this year because of the lingering dry spell caused by the El Niño phenomenon, says Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.In a prepared speech at the opening of the 12th National Mango Congress here on..... 0 comments

Turkish, Dutch firms to cooperate on agriculture
Representatives from Dutch agricultural institutions, in Turkey for the “SeraCulture” program, have visited with their Turkish counterparts in the southern city of Antalya.Launched in 2007, the program aims to develop cooperation and create commercial opportunities between Turkey and the Netherlands on..... 0 comments

India: Agri Business to invest $10 mn in Global Green
Private equity group India Agri Business Fund will invest $10 million (about Rs 48 crore) in Gautam Thapar-promoted Avantha Group's food division Global Green Company Ltd.A shareholders agreement was signed between the Avantha Group and Rabo Equity Advisors, India Agri Business Fund and Global Green said in..... 0 comments

India: AIFPA promotes food processing industry
On the third day of Aahar International Food Fair, All India Food Processor's Association organised a seminar on " Speedy and Inclusive Growth of Food Processing Industries," jointly with the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation. MA Tejani, vice president, AIFPA and MD Gits Food, Piruz Khambatta, president,..... 0 comments

Bangladesh: Bumper jackfruit production likely in northern region
Production of jackfruit, officially recognized national fruit of Bangladesh, is expected to be bumper this year in northern Bangladesh because of the prevailing favourable climate in the region. After excellent budding in the maximum number of trees, the jackfruit is becoming bigger in size without any..... 0 comments

Hong Kong: Merchant fined for vegetable swindle
A Yuen Long vegetable stall owner has been fined $2,500 by Fanling Magistracy for supplying produce with false claims of organic authentication by the Baptist University.The Customs & Excise Department today reminded retailers to ensure their organic vegetables have accurate certification labels.Customs..... 0 comments

Retail

• SPAR launches South India's biggest Hypermarket in Malleshwaram
• UK: Central London retail sales up 9.9% in February
• Belgium: Carrefour stores likely to remain open this weekend
• Netherlands: NMA approves Super de Boer sale
• US: Kroger Board of Directors declares quarterly dividend
• US: Ingles Markets Inc look forward to continued growth
• Germany: Discounters Aldi and Lidl popping up everywhere
• Vienam: Metro Cash&Carry training helps farmers improve quality

Economy

• NZ dollar drifts after early lift
• China expects mild, controllable price increase this year
• Oman inflation climbs to five-month high in Jan
• India's inflation up 9.89% on year in February
• Eurozone matters profoundly to Britain's long-term economic health
• Japan frustrated by firm Yen
• Czech Finance Minister sees euro possible in 2015 at earliest
• Kenya: Resurgence in mushroom farming

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