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JEPA present at Fruit Logistica 2010
Jordan Exporters and Producers Association for Fruit and Vegetables ( JEPA) participated again in Fruit Logistica, one of the most important exhibitions for fresh vegetables and fruit.Six of JEPA's member companies participated in this exhibition, two of which produce and export vegetables, one produces and..... 0 comments

US: Vegetable growers seek methyl alternative
Southeast fruit and vegetable growers have a number of alternatives to methyl bromide, which is being rapidly phased out. Finding the right alternative is critical to the future success production in the region.Methyl bromide use has steadily declined since it was identified as an ozone depleting chemical..... 0 comments

Zimbabwe: Moza fruit imports suspended
Government has with immediate effect suspended the importation of fruits from Mozambique following detection of fruit flies in that country.Zimbabwe normally buys bananas, mangoes, pawpaws, guavas, pineapples, litchies, tomatoes and strawberries from Mozambique.However, two types of fruit flies -- bactrocera..... 0 comments

India: Kashmir farmers feel the chill: Fall in snow may upset applecart
Even as people grinningly welcome the belated snowfall in Kashmir, the precipitation has not satisfied fruit growers and peasants. They are worried of prolonged dry spells and less accumulation of snow in glaciers and upper reaches, fearing a drought-like situation in summer.Meteorology department statistics..... 0 comments

US: Light brown apple moth rears its hazardous head again
Quarantine set up after Australian invader, found in Los Osos in July, surfaces in NipomoCounty agricultural officials are dealing with a second infestation of the light brown apple moth, an invasive pest.Two adult male apple moths were found in September in a canyon off Zenon Way in Nipomo. The discovery..... 1 comments

US: Fruit and vegetable consumption improved by online programs
Online programs that provide information and tips about fruits and vegetables may be the key to getting more Americans to eat healthier, say researchers at Henry Ford Hospital.Researchers found that when given access to an online program about fruits and vegetables, participants increased their daily fruit..... 0 comments

Pakistan: Fruit, vegetables reduce risk of cancer
Eating balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables plays an important part in reducing the risk of many types of cancer, this was stated in the recommendations made by Pakistan Medical Society (PMS), based on the technical session of the third national conference on “World Cancer Day 2010”.The technical..... 0 comments

Israel: Cold is good for apples, cherries, grapes in Golan
Winter cold such as the Golan is currently experiencing makes for larger & more beautiful fruit in spring, and better milk too, say Golan experts.Snow piled up to a height of 10 cm (4 inches) in the Golan Heights at week's end, bringing numerous tourists to Israel's north-eastern plateau. In addition,..... 0 comments

Canada: B.C. apple, cherry development work funded
Tree fruit breeders in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley have picked up funding from the federal and Quebec governments in a bid to get new apple and sweet cherry varieties commercialized more quickly.No, that wasn't a typo. Quebec's ministry of agriculture, food and fisheries (MAPAQ) and the Reseau..... 0 comments

AU: Carbendazim use banned on fruit crops
Concerns over a potential health hazard have led chemical regulators to withdraw approval for the use of carbendazim on fruit crops.The decision by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authoirty will affect growers of grapes, cucurbits (including melons), citrus, stone and pome fruits, custard..... 0 comments

US (MN): Grants available to specialty crop growers
Specialty crop growers in Minnesota can now apply for grants through the state.The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says the Specialty Crop Block Grants help growers of crops such as fruits, vegetables and nursery plants compete in today's marketplace.Minnesota's federal allocation for the grants is just..... 0 comments

US: Late and plentiful California cherry crop could crash Northwest prices
California may produce a 10-million-box cherry crop this year and that's a concern to Pacific Northwest cherry growers, especially if the California crop is late.California's crop comes first. In a perfect season it opens the pipeline and gets juices flowing for cherries before the larger Northwest crop,..... 0 comments

US: MAC reveals rebate on Michigan Jonathans
A new offer from the Michigan Apple Committee (MAC) will reward retail chains with cash rewards up to $6,000 for advertising Michigan Jonathan apples during the month of March.The “Jonny Be Great” rebate gives participating retailers a chance to earn a $1 per case rebate on Michigan Jonathan purchases as..... 0 comments

Promoting the consumption of fresh fruit in the Netherlands
Due to the declining consumption of fruit and veg in schools by children aged 4-11 in the Netherlands, a campaign was started a few years ago to promote the eating of fruit. In order to form long term eating habits the campaign was aimed at younger children. It was funded by various Dutch ministries and the..... 0 comments

US: Ocean Spray makes tasteful 2010 Games logo
Ocean Spray has a new flavor this winter: Cran-Olympic.The Lakeville-based growers cooperative will pour 13 million cranberries into a floating display - in the shape of the Canadian Olympic Committee logo - in the city of Richmond, host of the speedskating competitions, and pay tribute to that region’s..... 0 comments

NZ: Apple export decision now due for release mid-year
A decision by the World Trade Organisation on New Zealand's case for apple access into Australia has been further delayed.In 2007 Biosecurity Australia agreed to end an 86-year-old ban on New Zealand apples, which was imposed due to the risk of introducing the bacterial disease of fireblight.Because the..... 0 comments

Australia: Grape growers avoid rain damage
Table-grape growers say a cool southerly breeze on Saturday appears to have prevented any rain damage to crops around Mildura and Robinvale.About 10 millimetres fell at the end of last week, prompting concerns about fruit splitting and ring-necking, and the possibility of mould infections at the peak of the..... 0 comments

Growers Association for Conference pears being formed
In the Netherlands and Belgium we will have in the coming years a further increasing production of the pear variety Conference. It is clear from all research, that there is a growing marketpotential for this super pear! Unfortunately this is not at all clearfrom the present market situation. As a resultof..... 0 comments

PBH Offers Education and Marketing Materials
Plan for national nutrition month with fruit and veggies-more matters
National Nutrition Month is rapidly approaching, and to help retailers, suppliers and health educators get ready, Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) encourages everyone to re-visit the wealth of prepared Fruits & Veggies-More Matters materials available for download from the PBH website,..... 1 comments

Market picture of Pears
Holland: Export of pears in 2009 remains behind that of 2008
Despite the increase in pear exports in the last few months of 2009, the export remains behind that of 2008 due to the lower exports in the first three quarters of 2009. All of the important export destinations took less Dutch pears in this period than in 2008. The biggest part of Dutch pear export consists..... 0 comments

Chile has a strong presence at Fruit Logistica
Chile will have a strong presence at Fruit Logistica 2010, thanks to a joint effort between the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association and ProChile.The 250 square-metre Chilean pavilion can be found in Hall 25, Stand B05, and will feature generic information booths and specific areas for three crop committees: •..... 0 comments

US: Melon full of tobacco, drugs intercepted at jail
The donated cantaloupe that arrived at the Chelan County Regional Justice Center looked more like a pumpkin. Jail Administrator Phil Stanley says there was a noticeable cut around the top. And jail officers who intercepted the melon Monday before it reached inmates found tobacco and a baggie full of..... 0 comments

EU: New data confirm steady worldwide F&V production
According to recent figures, fruit and vegetable production has increased steadily over the past few years on a global level. In Europe, the amount of fruit harvested slightly declined in 2009, while vegetables increased by 3%. According to information from the AMI (Agricultural Market Information service)..... 0 comments

Research proves longer shelf life with PeakFresh packaging
The Noordelijke Hogeschool, Department of Life Sciences & Technology in Leeuwarden, Holland did research (commissioned by Freeland) on how the packaging from Peakfresh works. It was shown from the research that the vegetables tested (broccoli, butter lettuce and iceberg lettuce) stayed fresh for much..... 0 comments

US (FL): Cherry blossoms at Morikami Museum are a rare treat
Their deep, rosy-pink flowers erupted. They appeared in profusion, clothing the trees' naked black branches.The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens' cherry trees are blooming — compliments of the recent cold snap. And for Reiko Nishioka, the museum's director of education, the flowers mark the end of an..... 0 comments

NZ: Apple industry in Jazz age embrace
New Zealand developed it, exported it and then sold some of it to overseas growers so they could sell it back to us. The product? Jazz apples, owned exclusively by Enza.Described last year as one of the new "market champions", Jazz apples are now available year round.This year, for the first time,..... 0 comments

US (CA): Storms damage strawberry yield, may impact Valentine's pickings
People who are looking for freshly picked California long-stemmed strawberries for their favorite Valentine may have a tougher time finding them and end up paying more for them this year due to recent storms "As far as Valentine's Day, this is not boding well," said James Patrick King, of the U.S. Department..... 0 comments

AU: Smaller apple crop from Queensland
Queensland apple growers say hot and dry weather leading into harvest has resulted in smaller fruit this year.The Stanthorpe Apple Committee's Daniel Nicoletti says they've just started harvesting the gala variety, and while the size is reduced, they don't lack flavour.He says orchardists expect far less..... 1 comments

NZ: Optimistic about new crop in orchard
Earnscleugh orchardist Murray Miller has "jazzed up" the range of fruit grown on his property, with 9000 Jazz apple trees complementing his summerfruit plantings.The former Southlander swapped sheep farming for orcharding two years ago and has 5ha of the new pipfruit variety.He expects to harvest about 2000..... 0 comments

Prevention also expensive for area growers
US (CA): Medfly quarantines cost farmers
Agriculture officials have said a permanent Mediterranean fruit fly infestation could cost the state almost $2 billion annually. But controlling the crop-destroying insect is costly too, and some of that financial burden rests squarely on individual farmers.Farmers inside a quarantine's core areas, or the..... 0 comments

US: State strawberry crop numbers not as sweet last year
Wisconsin strawberry production totaled 47,000 hundredweight in 2009, down 2,000 cwt. from the previous year.The state's agriculture department reports that farmers harvested 770 acres, a decrease of 30 acres from 2008. Yields remained the same, at 61 cwt. per acre.The average price for strawberries rose 10..... 0 comments

US: December chill not enough to hurt Mesa County peaches
Enough peach buds in Mesa County may have survived a spell of extreme cold in December to give growers a complete crop this spring.The cold snap that brought temperatures as low as minus 22 in some areas killed an estimated 25 percent of Mesa County's grapevines.Plant pathologist Harold Larsen, interim..... 0 comments

Vietnam: Vinaagri Ltd produce traditional and tropical fruit
Vinaagri Trading Ltd. based in Ho Chi Ming City, Viet Nam produce a range of traditional and tropical fruits.The pommelo/shaddock is sold under the Nam Roi brand. The fruit is between 15cm and 20cm and weighs 0.8kg-1.7kg., it is grown in the Vinh Long province and is available year round. The pommelo is high..... 0 comments

Lifetime TV show to feature Well Pict strawberries
The new episode, scheduled to air February 8th, February 26th and March12th, was shot last month at BrandStar Entertainment Studios in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In keeping with The Balancing Act’s format to inform busy women of current topics that are of interest to them or may be useful in their everyday..... 0 comments

Planitalia (Gruppo Planasa), Hal 11.2, Stand A-07
Candonga strawberry has 50% market share in Southern Italy
The Italian company Planitalia Srl will be talking part in Fruit Logistica in the stand of the Spanish group Planasa SA (Hal 11.2, Stand A-07). Planitalia, subsidiary of the Planasa Group, sells tomato plants and fruit trees all over Italy which are patented by Plansa. The Spanish varieties are suitable for..... 0 comments

Canada: Florida strawberries are fine, but beans, peppers hurt by weather
Florida's growing fields are the latest to get flooding rains, so get ready for high prices for foods that were just recovering from freezing temperatures in January.The best fruit buy of the week may be IGA's offer of strawberries at $3.99 for a one-pound (454 g) container. Those berries are from Florida,..... 0 comments

US: Learn to grow table grapes at Feb. 6 workshop in Parma
Snake River Valley residents can unlock the keys to producing luscious table grapes when University of Idaho Extension faculty deliver their research-based knowledge to participants in this year’s Table Grape Symposium Feb. 6 at Parma High School.Pomologist Essie Fallahi will discuss propagation, pruning,..... 0 comments

AU: Watermelon spill blocks highway
A truck rollover on the Warrego Highway near Dinmore caused traffic chaos Tuesday night after the vehicle’s load of watermelons blocked the road.The incident occured about 7.20pm on the westbound lanes of the Warrego Highway near the River Road exit.Emergency Services were called to divert traffic while the..... 0 comments

AU: Spraying in fruit fly quarantine zone
Primary Industries is checking the area around a fruit fly outbreak at Wingfield in Adelaide's northern suburbs.A 1.5-kilometre quarantine zone has been imposed around a house where fruit fly larvae have been found in nectarines.No fruit or vegetables can be removed from the area while the outbreak is..... 0 comments

US: Sweet Valentine’s Day promotions with Pink Lady apples from Domex Superfresh Growers
February is ideal timing for running apple promotions. Consumers are deep into their New Year’s Resolution to eat healthy and lose weight and looking for new ways to energize their efforts. Valentine’s Day and Pink Lady apples are perfect pairing partners for a healthy promotion in February. The quality of..... 0 comments

Growing opportunities for Chilean Fresh Fruit in new decade
Chile’s fresh fruit industry continues to focus resources in the U.S. to maintain growth in its most important market. Each year, about 40 percent of Chile’s total fruit exports are shipped to the U.S. Despite early harvest delays this season, forecasts project another strong year of U.S.-bound shipments..... 0 comments

Polish market stable but rising demand from Russia causes price increases
The hard frost in Europe and also in Poland is making it difficult for the vegetable trade, because of the hard frost growers do not want to open the cool stores in case of product damage. The demand for stored goods has risen, especially with fast rising prices for onions, up to 32 eurocents. Also..... 0 comments

France: Fruit truck yields hidden cargo
Police seized seven tons of cannabis hidden in a truck carrying fruit from Morocco to France via Spain in one of the biggest such hauls in France, a police source said on Monday.France's anti-drug trafficking unit stopped the truck on Sunday on its way to a large wholesale market in Rungis, south of Paris,..... 0 comments

US: Winter Apple School is coming up
The 2010 Winter Apple School is rapidly approaching.The date is Feb. 10 at the Quality Inn in Hendersonville. Be sure to book your room early. The educational sessions will begin at 8:55 a.m. and will conclude at 4 p.m.In addition to the full day of educational programs, you can visit the commercial..... 0 comments

Upward trend for fresh produce convenience products
FRESHCONEX 2010 offers an excellent market overview
The market for ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook fruit and vegetables continues on an upward swing. An increase in the number of single-person households, more meals eaten away from home, changing eating habits and quick & easy availability are all key factors driving the demand for fresh convenience..... 0 comments

NZ: Cold means fewer apples
A cold spring in Hawkes Bay and Nelson will result in a smaller export crop of apples and pears this season, but the forecast for Central Otago fruit looks good.Pipfruit New Zealand predicted the national crop would be down about 15%, to between 261,000 and 266,000 tonnes, compared with last year's final..... 0 comments

Over 2,300 exhibitors from 71 countries offer a complete market overview. 50,000 trade visitors from 125 countries expected.
Berlin hosts global fresh produce trade
Partner country Mexico stages biggest-ever trade fair exhibit Berlin, 2 February 2010 – Berlin is all set for the international fresh produce sector’s premier event of the year. A total of 2,302 exhibitors from 71 countries (2009: 2,283 from 78 countries) will be present at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2010 from 3 to 5..... 0 comments

UK: Black apricots, yellow carrots and bubblegum plums: The unusual new fruit and veg coming to a store near you…
Try this, exclaims food technologist Hugh Mowatt, thrusting what looks like a slice of ripe plum in my direction.It’s got familiar smooth purple skin and juicy orange flesh - but when I lift the piece of fruit towards my lips to eat, I get a distinct whiff of… sherbet?‘Yes,’ cries Hugh, ‘I call it the..... 0 comments

Canada: February is apple month
Not only do Nova Scotia apples taste great, they are also good for you. That makes two good reasons to have a Nova Scotia apple today.Select Nova Scotia is sponsoring Apple Month as part of An IncrEDIBLE February. Three major apple wholesalers and a number of farmers markets are participating in the..... 0 comments

International Standards for Fruit and Vegetables: Pears
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "International Standards for Fruit and Vegetables: Pears" report to their offering.This brochure is published within the framework of the activities of the Scheme for the Application of International Standards for Fruit and Vegetables set up by OECD in..... 0 comments

India: Goji berries ‘help fight skin cancer’
Goji berries can significantly reduce the risk of skin cancer, experts have claimed.In traditional Chinese medicine, the superfruit berry lycium barbarum, also known as wolfberry, has long been recognized for various therapeutic properties based on its antioxidant and immune-boosting effects.And now,..... 0 comments

Jamaica: Agriculture records 23% increase in 4Q
Jamaica's agriculture sector has recorded a 23 per cent increase in gross output for the fourth quarter of 2009, despite challenges presented by drought, pests and disease outbreaks, according to preliminary data compiled by the agriculture ministry."This is calculated to lead to a 20.5 per cent increase in..... 0 comments

Azerbaijan exported vegetables, fruits for $192.6 mln last year
Last December Azerbaijan lowered rate of drawdown in farm export of 2009.The State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan (SCC) informs that for the past year country’s export of vegetables and fruits fell by 10.93% versus the 2008 figure, although by 1st December their decline made up 11.8% against the 2008 same..... 0 comments

Chile's Fresh Fruit Industry focuses on U.S. markets
Despite early harvest delays this season, forecasts project another strong year of U.S.-bound shipments exceeding 100 million cases. Table grapes will continue to dominate volume, but increased blueberry acreage and new varieties of other fruits are generating excitement in the industry.“Last year saw the..... 0 comments

Fruit Logistica 2010, Hal 2.2, Stand A-03
Italy: New trading season Angelys pears starts at Spreafico
At the Italian company Soresfico the new trading season for Angélys pears has begun. Bigger volumes and better quality of fruit and sizes are expected compared to last year. Angèlys is a cross between the Decana del Comizio en Decana d'Inverno varieties. The production countries are France and Italy...... 0 comments

focuses On 3 priorities: Carbon Footprint, Water Management And Soil Conservation
Dole presents its sustainable agriculture practices
The world’s largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit and vegetables has developed programs aimed at reducing its overall Environmental Footprint. Some of them will be presented on Dole’s stand (Hall 6.2/A-02) at the next edition of the Fruit Logistica fair, from February 3rd to 5th, 2010, in..... 0 comments

By Mark Greenberg
Market report week 4
Grape Update:Overview:Chilean table grape loadings the US east coast as of the end of Week 1 this season were at 7 822 755 cases or around 53% ahead of last season’s loadings of 5 095 520 cases. By the end of Week 3 this season, Chilean grape shippers had loaded 11 188 508 cases or 18% more than last year’s..... 0 comments

France: Apple growers give apples away free
Twenty growers in Aquitaine, France gave away 5 tons of apples last week in Bordeaux. The growers wanted to show how they do not make a single cent on the apples. "The costs are two high to adhere to the drastic conditions imposed on us."A growers said that his costs are 80 cents a kilo, and he can only ask..... 0 comments

AU: Hunter grape season a scorcher
Weather records for a Hunter Valley vineyard have revealed the current growing season has been one of the hottest for more than 50 years.A small number of vineyards that started picking earlier this month have now completed harvest, with hot weather late last year blamed for significantly reduced..... 0 comments

Argentina: The first ship with fruit from San Antonio sets sail.
The first ship with fruit from San Antonio sets sail. The season takes place in the East Harbor Rionegro. It is estimated that by mid-March it will reach 100 ships.The "Africa Reefer", an imposing Liberian flag vessel, will depart perhaps in the early hours of Sunday carrying within it the first load of..... 0 comments

US: Fresh in your produce section: Torin Koos pear pins!
We hate to take credit for this. But if we don't, someone else will.A while back, stopping to check in on Leavenworth cross-country skier Torin Koos, a soon-to-be three-time Olympian, we couldn't help notice the USA Pears logo on his cap.The group, which markets pears grown in Washington and Oregon, is a..... 0 comments

Cuba: Fruit harvesters beyond plan figures in Ciego de Avila province
MangoFruit harvesters of the province of Ciego de Avila sowed more than 2 400 hectares of fruit trees during 2009, mainly papaya, guava, pineapple and mango, as part of a national program scheduled up to 2015. MangoFruit harvesters of the province of Ciego de Avila sowed more than 2 400 hectares of fruit..... 0 comments

US (NY): State fruit production drops 11 percent
The value of New York's 2009 tree fruit and grape production totaled $305 million, an 11 percent decrease from the 2008 value, according to Stephen Ropel, U.S. Agriculture Department National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York Field Office director.The value of utilized production was below the..... 0 comments

Russia: 200 children hospitalised after eating Chinese fruits
Over 200 children, most of them younger than three years, were hospitalised with acute intestinal infection after eating fruits imported from China, Rossiya TV channel reported Sunday.According to doctors, the children were poisoned after eating imported fruits - bananas, apples and citruses - largely..... 0 comments

Chile: Maqui berry, a natural source of antioxidant
Maqui thrives in the harsh climate of central and southern Chile and is a dark purple berry with more antioxidant than acai, mangosteen, goji and noniThe Maqui berry is a dark purple berry and is the most powerful antioxidant botanical in the world, making the Maqui berry a more concentrated source of..... 1 comments

Statement from produce for better health supporting First Lady's childhood obesity initiative
Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) was delighted to hear the announcement of First Lady Michelle Obama's plans to launch a major initiative on childhood obesity. Like Mrs. Obama, PBH has viewed the growing prevalence of obesity in both adults and children with increasing alarm, and we applaud her..... 0 comments

US (FL): Strawberry tents forever
It could be a marriage made in a strawberry field, or a tent, to be more precise.Business owner Rodney Busto was looking for a local farmer to test out his new vertical growing system. Farm owners Ted and Lisa Kessel weren't entirely satisfied with vertical growing system they'd been using to produce U-pick..... 0 comments

US (WA): Cherry industry reflects on what went wrong with 2009 crop
A record-shattering — and largely unprofitable — 2009 cherry crop left many growers with a bitter taste in their mouths for the one-time sweet crop.“Nobody’s comfortable with the situation that happened in 2009,” said Tim Smith, tree fruit specialist for Washington State University Extension.This year,..... 0 comments

India: Fresh snowfall cheers farmers in Jammu and Kashmir
Fresh snowfall has brought smiles on the faces of farmers in Jammu and Kashmir.Around two inches of snow fell in Srinagar, while the upper reaches were buried in nearly one foot of snow.For the farmers here, a winter without snow means they will face extremely dry conditions in spring."The soil is now..... 0 comments

Catom Seeds launches its new melons gamma YelloExtend
"Catom See'd the difference" is a small seed breeding company from Israel, which is specialized in added value varieties of Melons and Watermelons.As director Benny Avny explains: "Two years after "Catom" came with the "YelloBello" melon concept, now we are launching a new line, called "YelloExtend", which..... 0 comments

Bayer CropScience acquires biofungicide from AgroGreen
Crop Protection portfolio strengthened by further biological product
Bayer CropScience is adding the biofungicide Shemer to its portfolio of classic crop protection products. The company has now completed the acquisition of certain assets and technologies relating to biological development products of AgroGreen in Ashdod, Israel. This move follows the acquisition by Bayer..... 0 comments

Ireland: Levies on strawberry growers 'prohibitive'
Wexford strawberry growers have been hit with planning levies on a scale that their competitors in other counties do not have to pay. The issue was raised by Cllr. Keith Doyle who pointed out that the levies for glasshouses came in at € 5 per square metre. He called for a reduction to 50 cent per square..... 0 comments

AU: Beetle bugs coastal crops
Parts of the North Coast of NSW are playing host to an unwelcome guest at the moment.The dry hot weather towards the end of 2009 enticed the monolepta beetle to various coastal crops in the region.Phillip Wilk, the district horticulturalist for tropical fruit with Industry and Investment NSW, says this is..... 0 comments

Well Pict Strawberries Featured On Lifetime Channel’s Morning Show The Balancing Act!
Well Pict's Big Berries come to the small screen
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the timing couldn’t be better for Well Pict Berries and Lifetime Television’s “The Balancing Act” to have teamed together to showcase the delicious attributes of Well Pict Premium Strawberries. The new episode, scheduled to air February 8th, February 26th and..... 0 comments

NZ: Checks urged for Chinese fruit imports
Comments in an official report by the agriculture ministry have prompted calls for more checks to ensure fresh produce imported from China meets New Zealand standards.The report, written by senior MAF advisor Dr Mike Ormsby after a visit to China, questions the transparency and accuracy of record keeping in..... 0 comments

UK: Fresh fruit ‘healthier than dried fruit’
Snacking on fresh fruit from the office fruit box is much healthier than eating packs of dried fruit, BBC’s Panorama has claimed.In the programme What’s Really in Our Kids’ Food?, screened on January 28th, Panorama presenter Shelley Jofre investigated the growing market in ready meals and pre-packed snacks..... 0 comments

Vietnamese fruit trucks stuck at Lang Son border
Hundreds of trucks carrying Vietnamese fruit to China have been stuck since January 26 at Lang Son Province’s Tan Thanh border gate because of poor customs clearance service.According to Bui Van Phan, deputy head of the Management Board of Tan Thanh Border Gate Economic Zone, up to 400 fruit-carrying trucks..... 0 comments

Pakistan: Fruit and vegetable exports up
Fruit and vegetable exports from the country have increased by 68.69 percent and 117.54 percent, respectively during the first half of current financial year, 2009-10. According to the data released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS), fruit export from the country during the last six-month July to..... 0 comments

Namibia exports more fruits to China
Namibia Cape Span, a company that manages several vineyards in the Grape Valley, in southern Namibia, has shipped 110,000 cartons of grapes with a value of 1.1 million U.S. dollars to China in December.In total, farmers in the arid southern part of Namibia have generated $ 32.4 million of revenue from the..... 0 comments

Apples, VI.P presents 2010 export plan
VI.P is active on more than 40 markets worldwide and exports 40% of its total production. The main export markets are Germany and Spain but also the Scandinavian countries, Russia, Eastern Europe and Greece can be considered as interesting and important markets.Germany. In Germany, all marketing activities..... 0 comments

Croatia: T.M.R. Pasko plans expansion
Established in 1989 in Croatia, under the name T.M.R. Trgovina mješvitom robom, the company now known as TMR Paško d.o.o., started as a small shop specialising in good organisation, distribution and production. These days TMR Paško d.o.o.own two warehouses in Zagreb, two in Split and one in Opuzen from..... 0 comments

Dole Europe Enters the Berry Market
After a successful start in Italy, Dole Europe is now expanding its product line throughout Europe to include a wide range of berries. The company is once more proving its expertise on a logistically challenging segment such as berries.In 2009, Dole started selling berries in Italy from local sources, from..... 0 comments

US (CA): Ag officials warn of fruit-damaging insects
Pest control researchers spoke to a room packed with members of the Watsonville farming community Tuesday about two insects that can damage fruit: the spotted wing drosophila, a type of fruit fly, and the light brown apple moth.The presentations, held at the 2010 annual Caneberry Meeting, were given by Mark..... 0 comments

Spain: Rain damages local crops in Malaga province
The Young Farmers’ Association, ASAJA, has estimated damage caused in the province during the last rains at approximately 40 million euros, with clemenules and olives being the worst affected crops. The president of the association in Andalucia reported that damages in the region amounts to 390 million..... 0 comments

US: State fruit crop producers saw mixed production in '09
Wisconsin's apple production in 2009 was down 31 percent from 2008 totaling 43.5 million pounds, with 36.5 million pounds of utilized production. According to the state's agriculture department, bearing acres were down 500 acres to 4,200. Yields decreased 1,700 pounds per acre to 10,400. Prices dropped 25..... 0 comments

AU: Higher fruit prices aren't flowing through to growers
Fruit and vegetable growers say they aren't seeing higher returns despite the fact consumers are paying more for produce.The price of food surged 1.4 per cent in the three months to December, according to the latest Consumer Price Index figures.Fruit was most responsible for the rise, with prices jumping..... 0 comments

Malaysia: No large scale fruit producer in Sabah yet
The State Government welcomes foreign investors to undertake commercial scale farming of local fruits for export as well as the domestic market.Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin, who is also the State Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, said the farming of high quality tropical fruits on a..... 0 comments

Australian experts to help conduct agri sector study
The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with Australian agricultural and livestock experts, will prepare a comprehensive study to exploit and enhance the potential of value-added agriculture sector including fruits, vegetables and cash crops.A decision in that respect was taken at a..... 0 comments

Copa-Cogeca warns of catastrophic impact of retailers price wars on EU farmers
Copa-Cogeca warned today that EU farmers are increasingly becoming the victims of retailers price wars and urged EU politicians to take action. Copa-Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen stressed “This is an unacceptable situation. The downward pressure on retail prices squeezes the entire food chain. The..... 0 comments

Polly Group Ukraine seedless watermelon
Polly Group Ukraine was the first company to produce seedless watermelons, grown in the Crimea, Ukraine. With a special marketing and promotional program, the trademarked Polly Seedless Watermelons were successfully sold throughout the 2009 season by the supermarkets in their introductory year.Polly Seedless..... 0 comments

Spain: Government announces new impulse to strawberry promotion in foreign markets
Clara Aguilera the representative for Agriculture is promoting a campaign to motivate strawberry consumption in foreign markets. After bad weather conditions, a promotion is necessary said Aguilera. She was invloved in the inauguration of the new office of the Association of Growers/Exporters from Huelva -..... 0 comments

AU: Queensland apples ready for market
Apples for Queensland's Stanthorpe region will be on store shelves from next week, with the popular Royal Gala variety first to appear.Growcom Stanthorpe Apple Special Interest Group chairman and apple grower Daniel Nicoletti said hot weather experienced on the orchards before Christmas has produced some of..... 0 comments

US: Georgia farmers may get a price boost this year
Georgia farmers will see more regulation, but also may find higher prices for their products this year, University of Georgia experts told a group of about 50 people at UGA's 2010 Georgia Ag Forecast on Tuesday.The Georgia Farm Bureau-sponsored meeting was the second in a series of breakfast gatherings UGA's..... 0 comments

AU: Rising fruit prices push up cost of living
The price of food surged 1.4 per cent in the three months to December, according to the latest Consumer Price Index figures.Fruit was most responsible for the rise, with prices jumping nearly 16 per cent.The Australian Bureau of Statistics puts the rises down to bad weather in fruit production areas, which..... 0 comments

AU: Grape growers desperate for Chinese New Year luck
Table grape growers in the north-west of Victoria are looking to the moon to save them from a terrible season.Early yields are down by as much as 90 per cent, and growers say it's been a disastrous start to the season.But Nick Muraca, from the Australian Table Grape Association, is hoping that Chinese lunar..... 0 comments

AU: Table grapes yield to heat
Table grape growers in Victoria's Mallee say yields are down by up to 90 per cent on last year.But the chairman of the Australian Table Grape Association, Nick Muraca, says most growers are experiencing losses of between 30 and 50 per cent on early grape varieties.He blames it on the extreme heat during and..... 0 comments

Bulgaria farmer donates 2 tons of apples to Haiti quake victims
A Bulgarian farmer from the Danube Region of Vidin is asking for State help to transport 2 tons of apples to earthquake devastated Haiti.Ivan Farkov, who grows apples, wants to donate the fruit to the victims of the disaster, but does not have the funds to ship them.“I was very disappointed to hear on the..... 0 comments

US (WI): Weather took toll on Wisconsin apple, cranberry crops
Last year wasn't a good year for Wisconsin's apple and cranberry growers.Poor weather led to a steep drop-off in Wisconsin's apple production in 2009. The state's farmers grew nearly 44 million pounds of apples, but that was down 31 percent from the previous year.The U.S. Department of Agriculture blames the..... 0 comments

Greece: Canned deciduous fruit annual
There is crisis for Greek peach producers. This is partly due to higher production in 2009/10, a large carry over from last year and low demand for canned peaches. The Greek farmers are still receiving subsidies from the government however the newly decoupled system of payments may convince farmers to change..... 0 comments

AU: Hot weather produces sweet gala
Apple aficionados of Queensland rejoice: Stanthorpe grown apples will be on shelves from next week – starting with the ever popular Royal Gala variety.Growcom Stanthorpe Apple Special Interest Group Chairman and Stanthorpe apple grower Daniel Nicoletti said hot weather experienced on the orchards before..... 0 comments

India: Project to link farmers and markets launched in UP
A new $4 million Agribusiness Systems International (ASI) project aims to double the incomes of small-scale fruit and vegetable farmers in Uttar Pradesh using tested techniques that link rural farmers with various market outlets. The three-year project, Sunhara India (prosperous India) will provide a unique..... 0 comments

US: CMI is proud to be the exclusive grower/shipper of U.S. grown Ambrosia Apple.
CMI Ambrosia Apples and Leslie Sansone announces the release of Leslie Sansone’s new and unique DVD that combines indoor walking with Pilates. Each DVD includes a card touting Ambrosia Apples and a $2.00 off any current in-store Leslie Sansone DVD. CMI is proud to be the exclusive grower/shipper of the U.S...... 0 comments

New Zealand’s Pipfruit Crop Smaller
Pipfruit New Zealand today predicted an apple and pear export crop for 2010 down 15% on the 2009 season.The crop is estimated to be in a range from 261,000 to 266,000 tonnes compared with last year’s final export volume of 308,000 tonnes.“This Spring and Summer have delivered challenging growing conditions..... 0 comments

Christian van Os van C.G. Timmermans:
Holland: "Market for pears improves"
The market for Conference is starting to move now. Christian van Os van C.G. Timmermans, Holland, said that demand from all destinations has risen. The stock of pears is very big this year and good sales are very welcome. Due to the large demand the prices have risen a bit. The bigger sizes are especially..... 0 comments

Spain: November fruit and vegetable imports fell 20% in volume,14% in value
The Spanish import of fruits and vegetables in November 2009 decreased by 20% in volume compared to the same month last year, totaling 175,942 tons, and 14% in value, reaching 102 million euros.The decrease was due to falling imports of vegetables, which stood at 78,645 tons and 32.3 million euros,..... 1 comments

US: Tulare County crop report
Deciduous tree fruits, nuts, and grapesPruning of fruit and nut trees; shredding, topping and tying pruned vineyards and grafting new vines to old ones has come to a halt again because of soil moisture. Growers still have field activities to be completed in up coming weeks. Kiwifruit continues to be exported..... 0 comments

The Red Niagra in the International market for the first time ever
The new grape variety that has already conquered Brazil’s national market is one of the highlights of the Brazilian Fruit standBrazil, the world’s third largest producer of fresh fruit, has reserved a splendid surprise for Fruit Logistica 2010, the international food and beverage trade fair that takes place..... 2 comments

Prospects for 2010
Fruit and vegetables Argentina
Despite having a positive year in both the domestic and export markets of ultramar to Brazil, the Argentine fruit industry of apples and pears finished the year with a price dispute between the business sector / exporters and producers who provide the fruit. It was not exactly the same with regard to..... 0 comments