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Trade and the revaluation of the yuan still loom large as US president's visit comes to an end
Obama fails to breach China's greatest wall: the price of its currency
There were no great announcements and no magical breakthroughs. But Barack Obama was taking the long view as he rounded off his three-day visit to China with a sightseeing trip to the Great Wall."It's magical. It reminds you of the sweep of history," he said, after walking along the snowy parapets for around..... 0 comments

Philipinnes should start talks with EU for FTA
The Philippines should commence negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA)with the European Union (EU) rather than wait for ASEAN to decide on whether to pursue FTA with EU, a study commissioned by the Universal Access to Competitiveness and Trade (U-ACT) said.In a 400-page paper entitled Merits..... 0 comments

Thai economy may grow 5 pct in 2010-deputy PM
Thailand's economy could grow as much as 5 percent next year if there is political stability, the country's deputy prime minister in charge of the economy said on Wednesday, though he called the baht's rise a concern."If politics are stable, 5 percent is not something that is unreachable," Deputy Prime..... 0 comments

Kazakhstan government plans to buy a leading Russian retail chain
The government Kazakhstan is interested in buying a retail chain in Russia in order to promote a wide range of Kazakh products in Russia as well some CIS countries, Russian media reports. According to the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Masimov there is a good time to buy one of the leading Russian retail..... 0 comments

Malaysia: Aeon downgraded to ‘Hold’ from ‘Buy’
AEON Company (M) Bhd, a Malaysian unit of Japanese retailer Aeon Co, was downgraded to “hold” from “buy” at Maybank Investment Bank Bhd on “unexciting” third-quarter earnings and a potential loss of income on a property management contract.The stock’s target price was maintained at RM5.10, the research house..... 0 comments

Transportation optimization, consolidation and time-definite ocean-freight services for leading U.S. designer are key strengths
China: APL Logistics wins Asia supply chain award
APL Logistics, an innovative provider of international supply chain solutions, has received the 2009 CHaINA ‘Best 3PL Supply Chain Provider in Asia’ Award for its development of integrated logistics services to support world-famous U.S.-based designer and marketer of premium retail brands Liz Claiborne Inc...... 0 comments

Fond Farewell to Industry Giant
After 83 years of excellence, Outspan (Pty) Ltd was wound up voluntarily and at a trip-down-memory-lane function in Pretoria recently, former board members and executives paid tribute to the company. Kallie Schoeman, the last chairman of Outspan International, served on the board of first SACCE and then..... 0 comments

Japan's marathon queen Takahashi to run veggie farm
Japan's former Olympic marathon gold medallist Naoko Takahashi has decided to become a vegetable farmer.The 37-year-old, who won gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, will start her own farm on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, Japanese media reported on Tuesday."It's a new challenge for me," Takahashi said,..... 0 comments

Famous Orly and Yuval varieties, take the lead
Israel: It's export season for Carmel's strawberries
End of November will mark the beginning of strawberries export season.Grown in the Sharon with the mild Israeli autumn, the strawberries absorbed the sun rays which turned their cheeks to rose and then red.The famous varieties, Yuval and Orly were developed by Fertiseeds, an Israeli company engaged in..... 0 comments

Møller-Maersk told ‘act now’ on Indian violence
Global union federation the ITF has put shipping and port giant Møller-Maersk on notice that it has to get rid of one of its contractors which has allegedly repeatedly attacked port drivers in Mumbai, India. Despite intense negotiations between the ITF and the Danish company to settle the issue since the..... 0 comments

Bharti Wal-Mart enters contract farming in Punjab
Bharti Wal-Mart has initiated a development programme with the farmers of Punjab, which could well turn out to be the precursor to contract farming in the country, according to a report in Hindustan Times. The programme will help farmers grow high-quality vegetables and fruits with assistance from the..... 0 comments

Taiwan's consumer prices remain stable-c.bank
Taiwan's consumer prices are steady, the central bank said on Tuesday, indicating the island is experiencing few inflationary pressures as the global economy recovers.'Taiwan's consumer price index fell by an average 0.85 percent in the first 10 months, mainly due to price declines in oil products, durable..... 0 comments

Economic recovery and new stores will drive Carrefour growth in Malaysia
Carrefour Malaysia expects revenues from its 20 hyper-market stores to grow by 20%Guillaume de Colonges, CEO, Carrefour Malaysia, expects the incipient economic recovery and the addition of 5 hyper-market stores in 2009 to boost the group’s revenues by 20%.Due to the widespread economic slowdown, which..... 0 comments

Kazakhstan goverments targets Russian grocers
Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Masimov urged domestic food retailers to expand into Russia, offering state help to firms willing to buy rivals across the border, some of which he said were 'half-dead' and available cheaply.Publicly listed companies such as X5 and Magnit and foreign chains like Auchan are among..... 0 comments

7-Eleven aims to have 5,200 stores in Thailand
CP All Plc, Thailand operators of 7-Eleven, aims to have 5,200 7-Eleven stores in Thailand by the end of 2009. The company is now focusing more on selling franchise stores rather than opening its own stores.Mr. Piyawat Thitasatthaworakul, managing director, CP All Plc., discloses that the company is now..... 0 comments

Philippines risks being left behind in free trade with Europe
A PRIVATE SECTOR think tank yesterday pressed the Trade department to move faster on a free trade pact with the European Union, citing research which points to gains awaiting several Philippine industries.The Universal Access to Competitiveness and Trade (U-ACT) said in a statement yesterday that a study it..... 0 comments

Vietnam: Dried fruit imports found to be unsafe
Five of six samples of imported dried fruits and jam taken from Binh Tay Market in District 6 have failed to meet food safety and hygiene standards, officials announced this week.Of the samples taken, three contained excessive amounts of lead, four had cyclamate – a banned artificial sweetener – and two..... 0 comments

India: Cheaper veggies from Junnar farmers
A group of farmers from Junnar tehsil has devised a way to make available vegetables to the city at a cheaper rate — direct marketing.On Friday, a stall run by farmers was inaugurated at the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) at Market Yard in Gultekdi. The stall, along the lines of the Narayangaon..... 0 comments

Philippines: Banana growers slam DOH over aerial spray study
The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) lashed back at the Department of Health for recommending a ban on the practice of spraying chemicals in banana plantations, saying the decision was a last ditch effort of the DOH officials to save face.Stephen Antig, president of PBGEA, the..... 0 comments

S. Korea eyes tangerine exports to U.S. in 2010
South Korea is pushing to export tangerines to the United States next year as part of a wider effort to expand the overseas market for its farm products, the government said Wednesday. The National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) said it has made headway in talks with U.S. officials on shipping the citrus..... 0 comments

Exporting Afghanistan
The 60 hectare stretch of farmland in north Kabul's Badam Bagh neighbourhood looks much like farmland all over this country. Colourful rows of neatly planted crops stretch out from a dusty road and up the gentle slope of an arid ridge.But look a little closer and it becomes clear that this isn't the average..... 0 comments

Pak-Thailand agree to sign MOU in investment promotion
ISLAMABAD: The Boards of Investment of Pakistan and Thailand have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on sharing investment intelligence, encouraging prospective investors and technical assistance.The MoU was agreed during talks between delegations of the boards of investment of the two..... 0 comments

Clemson trains S.C. National Guard agriculture team for Afghanistan
There isn’t much orange in U.S. Army fatigues, but Clemson University is leaving its mark in Afghanistan.For the first time, a unit of the S.C. Army National Guard has deployed to the southwest Asia country with agriculture agents trained by Clemson extension and Public Service Activities.Twelve of the 64..... 0 comments

India: Broccoli, cauliflower may help treat cystic fibrosis
A dietary antioxidant found in vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower can protect cells from damage caused by chemicals generated during the body’s inflammatory response to infection and injury, a new study has found .Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine say their finding has..... 0 comments

Philippine: Groups hit smear drive against banana workers
Labor unions representing some 300,000 banana farm workers in various support industries of the Philippine banana industry hit yesterday what they perceived as smear campaign against banana growers in Mindanao who have accused them of non-existing health risk regarding the aerial spaying of banana..... 0 comments

Woolworths reduces its ecological footprint by piloting a refrigeration system driven by natural gas
Woolworths has become the first major local retailer to pilot the use of natural refrigerants in place of conventional synthetic refrigerants. Natural refrigerants do not deplete the ozone layer.“We are piloting the use of CO2, which is a natural gas. Unlike conventional refrigerants, the use of a CO2 helps..... 0 comments

Sri Lanka: Fruit cultivation project to provide jobs
The Board of Investment has given approval to Pure Nature Ltd. to start a fruit production project and to cultivate food grains in Havampitiya area in Moneragala.This project will be started as a sample cultivation project. The first phase of this project will be started with an investment of Rs. 75 million...... 0 comments

Bangladesh: Crisis of quality potato seeds hits Rangpur region: Growers getting frustrated
As the crisis of the quality potato seeds hits Rangpur region, the potato growers are getting frustrated and know not how to overcome the deficiency. According to BADC sources, the corporation supplied small quantity of seeds against a huge demand during the peak time.As they urgently need seeds,..... 0 comments

India: Sky-high turmeric prices pulls a little lower
Turmeric settled lower on profit-taking sparked by hopes recent rains may boost yields and on higher margin imposed by exchange. Profit-taking pulled down the prices, spot market is firm on lower supply and good demand.In Nizamabad spot market the price dropped by 231 rupees to 12,578 rupees per 100 kg on..... 0 comments

AU: Japanese find our mangoes too expensive
Japanese importers have slashed their mango orders from North Queensland, as their country continues to feel the effects of a recession.Australian mangoes are the most prized fruit in Japan, and are often sold as a gift for as much as $100 apiece.But they're now too expensive for many consumers, and Atherton..... 0 comments

China: Andre Juice increases stake in pectin producer
Chinese apple juice concentrate maker Yantai North Andre Juice Co. has announced that it will increase its stake in Andre Pectin, a pectin-producing subsidiary, from 30% to 40% for RMB 25 million (USD 3.6 million).The move is in line with to Andre Juice's plans to diversify its product mix by developing its..... 0 comments

Oregon farmers promote potatoes in China
Why not? Oregon and Washington agriculture officials are heading out on a 10-day trade mission that they hope will open some market doors in China, Taiwan, the Philippines and Hong Kong. Department of AgricultureOregon potatoes may be a hit in Asia.Asian consumers are accustomed to french fries, but state..... 0 comments

India: Chestnuts in high demand in wintry Kashmir
Kashmir produces not only high-end varieties of some fruits like apples, peaches, plum and cherries, but also the finest variety of chestnuts.The sweet tasting, aromatic cum exotic fruit that grows under the floating leaves and drops off when ripe, can be scooped out using a net while the one that grows on..... 0 comments

China to purchase NT$1.25 billion worth of Taiwan farm products
China's largest retail chain is expected to buy NT$1.25 billion worth of agricultural products from Taiwan through the end of 2010, the single largest such purchase made by a Chinese entity in Taiwan, the Council of Agriculture (COA) said Tuesday.The commitment was made by a delegation of the All China..... 0 comments

Japanese economy emerges from recession
Japan's worst recession on record may be nearing its end, with the economy posting a second straight quarter of positive growth.It's the strongest growth in more than two years, and comes on the back of rebounding exports and massive stimulus spending. But some economists warn Japan needs to keep up its..... 0 comments

India: Phyan washes away strawberries worth Rs 5 crore
The heavy rains that lashed the state as a result of cyclone Phyan proved to be a double whammy for strawberry growers in Satara district. The three-days of continuous rain not only damaged the ready-to-harvest strawberries in Satara but have also marred the farmers' chances of making a handsome profit next..... 0 comments

India: Kerala wants Sri Lankan coconut pluckers
A recent newspaper article spoke of Kerala planning to recruit Sri Lankan coconut pluckers a development which will surely gladden the hearts of this small community of skilled workers that is making a silent but significant contribution to the national economy.The announcement of the Kerala State that it is..... 0 comments

India: Govt to set up radiation plant for mango export
Gujaratis settled abroad will no longer have to go without the succulent varieties of Kesar mangoes from Talala and Kutch from next season.With the US government making gamma irradiation of food products a must for export to its market, the state government is setting up a Gamma Radiation Processing Plant at..... 0 comments

Mekong Delta farmers focus on quality
The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta, the largest farming area in the country, needs to create stronger brand names to fully tap export potential, according to experts.Despite strong growth in recent years, much more needs to be done to exploit the rich abundance of rice and fruit grown in the area.Many farmers’..... 0 comments

The story of a Taiwanese bio tech company
"Revolution in tropical fruit business: what modern preservation technology can do”
Lytone Enterprise was founded by Dr. William T. H. Chang in 1994, and was later joined by investors such as Apex Biotechnology Corp., Chengxin Venture Capital Corp. and Champion Venture Capital. Lytone is a technology-oriented company who’s objective is to develop market application know-how for products in..... 0 comments

India: Odd rainfalls damage rain fed, irrigated crops in MH
The odd rainfalls with higher intensity of wind at the major crops fields in Indian state of Maharashtra have damaged cultivation of major crops such as grape, pomegranate, mango, cashew, coconut and banana.However, the state government has announced aid at the rate of Rs 2,000 per hectare for rain-fed crop,..... 0 comments

Philippines: New agri technology eyed to farmers to improve production
A new dawn opens up for vegetable growers in the Bicol region devastated by the recent super typhoons Pepeng as the provincial government of Camarines Sur, Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office (DA-RFU) in Bicol and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) are jointly spearheading a seminar..... 0 comments

Singapore: Prices for vegetable, egg imports from Malaysia rise due to rainy weather
Continuous rainfalls have caused egg and vegetable imports from Malaysia to increase in price.Egg prices have jumped four times since October but the rate of imports from Malaysia stays at three million eggs per day. This accounts for 75 per cent of the local supply of fresh eggs. Currently, a batch of ten..... 0 comments

Thai retail to grow more than 5% next year
Mr. Thanapon, president, Thai Retailers Association, disclosed that the overall retail industry is showing a positive trend. He expects Thai retail will grow no less than 5% next year as the economic recovery is buoying consumer confidence. The recovery is expected to lead retailers into investing in new..... 0 comments

Thailand: Tesco concerned about new retail law
Sir Terry Leahy, the President of Tesco Group, England, had a meeting with the Thai prime minister to discuss the draft of a new retail law. The draft was submitted to the prime minister on November 12, 2009 and the cabinet will review the draft on November 17, 2009. Sir Leahy voiced his concern that because..... 0 comments

Vietnamese dragon fruit sold to Japan and Korea
Vietnamese dragon fruit is ready to go to Japan and South Korea, but only after Japan lifts its ban on the fruit and Korea agrees for a trial import.After a ten-year ban, Japanese importers have agreed to import fresh dragon fruit again. The first lot of fresh dragon fruit has already been exported to Yasaka..... 0 comments

India: Banana farming gaining popularity in Punjab
Diversification is the buzzword for progressive farmers in Punjab, and banana farming, which started in 2006, is now emerging as a `viable’ and alternate form of farming in the State.Banana farming has become popular among Punjabi farmers, while many private firms have also shown keen interest in the..... 0 comments

Malaysia: Carrefour aims to double business by 2012
Carrefour, the French retailer, plans to double the number of stores it has in Malaysia by 2012.Guillaume de Colonges, head of Carrefour's operations in Malaysia, told the local press today (16 November) that the company hoped to take its business in the country from 16 to 20 stores by the end of the year -..... 0 comments

Tesco forms joint ventures to develop shopping malls in China
Tesco, a UK-based a supermarket chain, has signed an agreement to set up the first in a planned series of joint ventures to develop shopping malls in China.Tesco has said that 50% of the joint venture will be owned by a syndicate of Asian investors including HSBC Nan Fung China Real Estate Fund, Singapore's..... 0 comments

Vietnam: HCM City land best for organics
HCM City has about 2,500ha suitable for producing organic vegetables, accounting for 90 per cent of total area for vegetable cultivation, according to the steering committee for organic vegetable development.The city will still have more than 380ha of land that is not suited to producing organic vegetables..... 0 comments