Garcia wants Koreans to enjoy Peruvian foods
Peruvian President Alan Garcia asked Korea to ease conditions on imported Peruvian agricultural products Thursday.In a news conference in Seoul, Garcia insisted that Korea keep the level of conditions imposed on Peruvian agricultural products moderate in order to create a win-win free trade agreement between.....
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AU: Delegation pushes cherries for China
Orchardists are ramping up their campaign to get Australian cherries into China.A delegation of growers and industry representatives departs for China today for several days of top-level talks.NSW cherry producer, Ian Hay, is part of the group, which will start the tour at a fruit and vegetable trade fair.He.....
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Stiermarken largest apple region
Austrian biological apple production doubled
In Austria about 200,000 tons of apples are harvested from little more than 6,000 HA (14826 acres). Most of these come from Stiermarken (165,000 tons) with 4,800 HA (118610 acres) of apple orchards. Also in Lower Austria (480 HA), Burgenland (364 HA) and Upper Austria (225 HA) a considerable quantity of.....
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AU: Fruit and vegie producers tackle contamination issues
Australia's horticultural industry is bedding down a new plan to manage its food contamination issues.Horticulture Australia Ltd product integrity manager, Richard Bennett, says the plan addresses a range of modern issues that fruit, vegetable, nut and flower industries didn't have to contend with earlier.He.....
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Brazil: Outbreak of Chaga’s disease through contaminated acai berries
Though still under investigation, health authorities in the Para state of Brazil is reporting an outbreak of food borne trypanosomiasis.There have been 13 confirmed cases of Chaga’s in the Belem neighborhood. State officials at present suspect it occurred through contaminated food stuffs, including the fruit.....
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Afghanistan exports first apples to India
Afghanistan on Thursday exported 12 tonnes of apples to India, officials said, touting the shipment as a key step in exploring much-needed international markets for its agricultural products.The apples were sent to New Delhi via air and road, as part of efforts to encourage farmers to grow crops other than.....
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India: Heavy rainfall may dent export of major crops
The heavy and incessant rain that has hit Maharashtra and Gujarat over the last three days, is all set to dent the export of cash crops such as grapes, pomegranates, alphonso mangoes and cashewnuts. Output of other crucial crops such as rice, sugarcane and cotton is also expected to suffer in Konkan,.....
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AU: Fruit & veg the key to cheaper food bills
Families wanting to cut their food bills should include more fruit and vegetables in their diet.That's the view of horticulture body Growcom as it weighs into the debate about rising Australian grocery prices.Growcom chief advocate Rachel Mackenzie said that Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Cost Price Index.....
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AU: Queensland expecting bumper table grape crop
Dry weather has meant a bumper table grape crop in Queensland.The first grapes of the six-week harvest have been picked in the south-east Queensland region of Mundubbera.Grower Chris Allen says he's never seen it so good."Yes, this is the best crop we've ever had, size wise and quality wise, due to the dry.....
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US: Triad Strawberry farmer gets "Grower Of Year" award
A Guilford County Strawberry farmer has just added another sweet honor to his name. Kenneth Rudd of Rudd Farm was named "Grower of the Year."Strawberry farmers from around the state attended a NC Strawberry Expo in Durham when Rudd learned of his new title.Every year people can pay and pick their own.....
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NZ: Growers blame supermarkets for high grocery prices
There was more evidence today about what's happening to food prices, and more dark muttering about what the supermarkets are up to.Overall the price of food dropped 1.5 percent last month, as measured by the Government's Department of Statistics. And it noted that for the first time this decade prices fell.....
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Fiji: Farmers aim to increase produce for Australian market
Farmers in the Western division are aiming to increase their output for the Australian market.This is after Australian importers indicated that they are interested in buying more products from Fiji and as early as the first quarter of next year the first container of mixed products is expected to be shipped.....
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Pakistan: ‘New methods for strawberry cultivation introduced’
The Competi-tiveness Support Fund (CSF), in collaboration with the Sindh Government has introduced an interesting innovation in the cultivation of strawberries in the country.The CSF has imported two new varieties of saplings i.e. ‘Sweet Charlie’ and ‘Festival’. These have been imported for the first time.....
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US: Man accused of hiding more than 4,400 pounds of marijuana in watermelon crates
A federal grand jury has indicted a California man accused of smuggling more than 4,400 pounds of marijuana in watermelon crates.On Tuesday morning Pedro Rene Monteagudo, from Hawthorne, Calif., went before U.S. Magistrate Judge Felix Recio to receive formal notice of the indictment, which charges him with.....
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Shortage of food products in Mozambique could be reduced by 2011
Basic food shortages in Mozambique could be substantially eased by 2011 with the implementation of the Action Plan for Food Production (2008-11), says Agriculture Minister Soares Nhaca.To lower scarcity of cereals, beans, peanuts, cassava, beef, poultry and fish, said Nhaca, the Maputo government is.....
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AU: Fruit growers wins travel award
A Queensland strawberry and passionfuit grower, Christina McPherson, has won the first TQA Global Insights Award.The award was presented last night in Launceston at the 6th National Food Safety, Quality and Environmental Assurance Conference, Keep it Real® 2009.The $10,000 travel award is to recognise.....
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Nutrition Assistance Programs Will Benefit
US: Apple Industry Applauds Fed Plans for $18.6 Million Apple Purchase
The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) today applauded the Obama Administration for its plan to purchase $18.6 million worth of apples in the near future. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the announcement this morning at the National Association of Farm Broadcasters annual convention in Kansas City,.....
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Fruit and veg can irritate the stomach
When healthy eating hurts
Everybody should eat at least half a kilo of fruit daily, food experts advise. But fruit may irritate the stomach. Nevertheless strawberries, plums and apples are healthy. But many people experience an blown-up feeling, stomach ache or even diarrhoea. It is estimated that 63,000 Germans visited their doctor.....
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AU: Lower fruit and vegetable prices are good news for consumers but disturbing for industry
Peak horticulture body Growcom weighed into the debate about rising Australian grocery prices today, arguing that families who wished to reduce their food bills should switch to a greater consumption of fruit and vegetables in their diet.Chief Advocate Rachel Mackenzie said that Australian Bureau of.....
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This year’s crop is average, but it’s good quality
Canada: Good year for apples
Nova Scotia apple growers are finishing up their annual harvest and are expecting an average crop, but of good quality."The crop looks good," Dela Erith, executive director of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers Association, said Monday. "We had good size and good colour on the apples."Wet weather and a poor bloom.....
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Fruit and vegies not reason for food hikes - Hort NZ
The national horticulture body is questioning the Government's view that the dramatic increase in the price of food is due mainly to the rise in the cost of fresh fruit and vegetables.An Australian study found the price of food in New Zealand has gone up by more than 42.5% since 2000, the second highest.....
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India: Mahabaleshwar seeks GI tag for its strawberries
After the Puneri pagdi, Tirupati laddoo, basmati rice, the Mahabaleshwar strawberryis seeking geographical identification (GI) status. “We are seeking to brand the strawberry, which will help us fetch better prices for our fruit in the domestic and overseas markets.We want GI status for the Mahabaleshwar.....
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US: Prison inmates find drugs in fruit donated by police
Inmates at a state prison discovered some illicit produce last week while unpacking a fruit crate in the facility’s kitchen, law enforcement officials said Tuesday.Prisoners working in the mess hall of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Segovia Unit found 25 pounds of marijuana nestled in a crate of.....
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US: Farmers markets post record earnings
The 2009 Delaware farmers market season ended as the most profitable season ever, with 15 markets earning more than $1.1 million, a 40 percent increase over last season. This season kicked off in April and ended in October for participating farmers.“It is refreshing and gratifying to see the growth of.....
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UK: Prisoners banned from having fruit after using it to make alcohol
Prisoners have been banned from buying fruit to stop them from making homebrew following a rise in assaults.Bosses at HMP Dartmoor, which houses 650 category C prisoners, decided to clamp down on fruit - including apples and pears - fruit juices, tins of fruit and syrup to stop inmates brewing hooch.New.....
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NZ: Blackcurrant research project with Japan planned
The blackcurrant industry has high hopes for a proposed research collaboration between New Zealand and Japanese scientists.The Plant and Food Research Institute has made a joint application with Japanese researchers to both countries' government science funding agencies.They want to exchange information on.....
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NZ: ZESPRI Funding Highlights the Power of Science
Horticulture New Zealand congratulates kiwifruit marketer ZESPRI and the New Zealand Government for taking a long-range view of the importance of science to growing our agricultural economy.The only way New Zealand can compete cost-effectively on the international market is to get smarter about the products.....
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India: Nafed, Kerala government join hands to import fruits, spices
The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (Nafed) is looking for entering into a tripartite agreement with the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) and Kerala government for exporting spices and perishable goods such as banana, pineapple, and organic vegetable to the Gulf countries, which.....
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US: Clemson researchers share in $14 million USDA grant for fruit crop research
Clemson University plant scientists are part of the largest USDA grant awarded to improve fruit crops. Federal officials and stakeholders provided $14.4 million for RosBREED. The project seeks to revolutionize the translation of DNA-based information into practical applications for crops in the important.....
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US: Big apple crop produces some challenges
It has been a big year for apple farmers in Michigan. The weather helped produce 27 million bushels this season ― more than twice what grew last year.Normally, the Michigan Apple Committee says the state produces 19.5 million bushels. Last year, Michigan only saw 12 million bushels.Randy Bjorge said he.....
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NZ: Fruit, vegetable price rises behind food cost increase - minister
The competition watchdog, the Commerce Commission, is indicating its hands are tied over grocery prices.An Australian study using OECD figures found the price of food in New Zealand has gone up more than 42% since 2000, the second highest increase among OECD countries.South Korea had the highest food price.....
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Projections see sufficient Pink Lady brand volume for domestic market
There’s some good news for consumers in this season’s projection for the Pink Lady Brand Apple as it shows the potential of a quantity large enough to satisfy the demand.According to an estimate from the Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association, the recently completed harvest should be yielding 2,625,000.....
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Malta: Gozo’s fresh fruit and vegetable crop down 23.6% in 3rd quarter
During the third quarter of 2009, the overall volume and wholesale value of fresh fruit and vegetables declined by 9.1 and 4.6 per cent respectively, when compared to the corresponding period in 2008. In Gozo the volume dropped by 23.6% and the wholesale value fell by 10.1%.The overall supply of fresh fruit.....
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Growers' views needed for survey examining the decline in UK fruit and vegetable production
The survey is being conducted by English Farming & Food Partnerships (EFFP) for Defra, which aims to halt the decline in domestic production across all sectors (apart from sweet peppers) as UK producers struggle to compete effectively with imports.EFFP is examining business collaboration, environmental.....
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EU and Israel sign new agricultural agreement
The European Union and Israel have signed an agricultural agreement under which 80 percent of Israeli exported fresh products are totally exempt from all taxes and levies.The agreement was signed last week by Israel’s ambassador to the European Union, Ran Curiel, and his Swedish counterpart, Christian.....
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US: Stemilt’s new ‘Big Apple’ promotion designed to boost holiday apple sales
Forget candy corn and peppermint sticks! Stemilt recently unveiled a promotion on jumbo-sized apples that will provide the ‘wow-factor’ that many shoppers expect to see in grocery stores during the holiday season. The ‘Big Apple’ promotion was designed by Stemilt to help retailers merchandise jumbo apples,.....
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US: High tunnel agriculture means longer growing season
New kinds of sustainability were the topic at this year's National Small Farm Trade Show and Conference.Among the ideas offered is High Tunnel Agriculture. Farmers practising HTA grow their crops inside a plastic covered structures similar to a greenhouse. Only the "tunnel" can be temperature controlled.....
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EU: Pear production ripens up
European pear production is expected to bounce back from last year’s historic low to reach 2.52 million tonnes - a substantial 16 per cent increase on the 2.17 million tonnes achieved in 2008.A larger European pear crop of 2.5 million tonnes will mean that producers are jostling for pole position this.....
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US: CK International named Iowa Exporter of the Year
Bill and May-May Ng were the recipients of the Exporter Excellence Award presented by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the Business Record and RSM McGladrey of Des Moines.The Ngs have been long time supporters of several Newton organizations, utilized the Newton Intermodal on a daily basis in shipping.....
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PBH's New Survey Comparison Data is Now Available
US: Year-to-year comparison of Gen X Mom survey data available in one report
Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), the nonprofit entity behind the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters national public health initiative, has released a comprehensive, year-to-year comparison of it's annual survey of Moms. This is the fourth year PBH has conducted their Gen X Moms survey, and the.....
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US: CMI announces the arrival of KIKU Apples
CMI, one of Washington State’s largest grower/shipper of premium quality conventional and organic apples, pears and cherries, announces the arrival of the 2009 Washington KIKU crop. Possibly the sweetest apple on earth, the KIKU is a super sweet strain of a Fuji that has been tested to be up to 20% sweeter.....
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US: Fire destroys Alpine Township apple grower's barn
A barn owned by apple growers burned to the ground this morning, causing about $200,000 in damage. Four fire departments were called in to battle the flames.Nick Schweitzer of Schweizer Orchards said his parents, who live across the street from the barn at 7744 Baumhoff Ave., just north of Nine Mile Road,.....
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New Queensland RS103-130 apple could be a worldbeater
ONE of these apples a day will keep the doctor, dentist ... the entire medical profession away.Queensland government researchers claim they have spent 20 years developing what could be the "world's best apple".Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin said the new apple - at this stage known as RS103-130 -.....
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Photo report (114 photos)
The first Fruit Attraction 'attracts' lots of visitors
Last week Fruit Attraction opened its doors to a lot of visitors. It was the first time Fruit Attraction held their exhibition, and it was a big succes. The exhibition had 353 exhibitors, most of them were from Spain and a few from overseas. "The amount of visitors is very encouraging. There are a lot of.....
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US: Supply-demand game costs apple growers
Although on the whole, this year’s crop of apples are well-coloured and sized up well, market prices are down 17 per cent from last year at this time.And, last year was not one of the better years in terms of prices, commented Adrian Abbott, of B.C. Tree Fruits, which markets most of the valley’s apple.....
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UK: East Malling scientist Professor Jerry Cross endorses GM crops
A leading scientist at East Malling Research (EMR) has endorsed genetic modification (GM) technologies -- claiming that a new scab-resistant form of Gala that has been developed in Switzerland could one day "occur in the collection at Brogdale".Entomologist Professor Jerry Cross, speaking at last week's EMR.....
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India: State plans cold chain for Rs 100 cr
Farmers in Karnataka need not throw their produce on the road any more when they don’t get the right price as the state-owned agri produce export agency, Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing & Export Corporation Limited (Kappec), is setting up a chain of fruit and vegetable processing units at.....
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India: Himachal apple output down 50%
Himachal Pradesh has witnessed one of the lowest apple-producing season this year. According to the state government estimate, harvest is expected to settle at around 12.5 million boxes this year, less than half of last year’s output of 26 million boxes.Farmers say an almost snowless winter and a weak.....
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US: Wisconsin to retain top spot in cranberry output
Wisconsin is likely to retain its number one spot in the US in cranberry production for the fifteenth straight year.According to U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Wisconsin will yield 4.0 million barrels of cranberries. That would be below last year’s record harvest, but.....
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PBH Involvement is winding down
US: National fruit and vegetable research and promotions board next steps
Between April and October of 2009, Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) sought feedback from the fruit and vegetable industry about the possible development of a national fruit and vegetable research and promotion board. After various webinars, presentations, town hall forums, and an industry survey,.....
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Major fruit exporters call for lower indicative prices in Ukraine
The major exporters of exotic fruits to Ukraine - South Africa and Venezuela - have sent a claim letter to the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine protesting against a recent increase in indicative prices, Ukrainian media reports.The Embassy of South Africa has already confirmed the fact of sending the claims,.....
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US (NJ): Cold hurts N.B. cranberry crop
Cranberry growers in New Brunswick are expecting smaller yields this year compared to last year.They say their crop is the latest to suffer from the cold, wet spring.Honey bees used to pollinate the cranberries couldn't do their job in the cold weather, said Larry Brown, owner of River Valley Cranberries in.....
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Study confirms diversity of apple trees endures in American Southwest
US: Conserving historic apple trees
The apple trees of yesteryear are slowly disappearing. Many apple varieties common in the United States a century ago can no longer be found in today's orchards and nurseries. But some historic apple trees still survive in abandoned farmsteads and historic orchards throughout the U.S. Now, scientists.....
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US: Henderson County apple growers oppose plan
Henderson County's 150 apple growers are facing a potentially devastating change in federal crop insurance rules that could greatly reduce payouts after hailstorms, freezes or other disasters.“It's going to put us out of business, that's what it's going to do,” said grower Henry Barnwell, who works 65.....
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AU: Price pain for fruit and veg
Falling retail prices for fresh produce are hurting Australian producers, farm leaders have warned.Federal Government statistics show the cost of fruit and vegetables dropped more than 5 per cent in the September quarter.Fruit Growers Victoria general manager John Wilson said the price drop was "a very big.....
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US: MSU researchers improve yield of Mich. fruit farms
A group of MSU researchers is helping fruit farmers across the state increase their crop yield and cut costs with the help of sex chemicals from female moths.Entomology research technician Peter McGhee is working with farmers and researchers to further a study that shows using female codling moth pheromones.....
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