Chile seeks to penetrate the Chinese market with avocado
Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture of Chile, the Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) and the Fruit Exporters Association of Chile AG (Asoex) met with a delegation from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and from the China Inspection and.....

Mexico: Asparagus packing plant to be set up in Michoacan
With the goal of reactivating Michoacan's agriculture and promoting the creation of jobs, the firm Growing Green will seek to set up a new asparagus packing plant in Michoacan's eastern region.The firm's Vice-president in operations, Roberto Jaime Díaz Celaya, stated that after an analysis of the area's.....

Review of Vegetation Management Act welcomed
Peak horticulture body Growcom has given its support to the State Government's proposal to review the Vegetation Management Act to reduce costs and improve environmental outcomes.Growcom's Policy Manager, David Putland, said the industry was pleased that the government had recognised that the current.....

NFU joins CAP coalition to demand fair treatment
The NFU has joined a coalition of farmers’ organisations from Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland and Denmark to fight against CAP proposals that could result in significant reductions to farmers’ direct payments.Negotiators from the European Commission, European Parliament and Agriculture.....

"Best results will be achieved by national body."
AU: Banana growers meet to discuss industry issues
This week some banana growers from Southern parts of Australia expressed the opinion that they were not getting the benefit of levy funds that they were paying into the national industry. There was even the mention of a separate, regional industrial representation body being set up.In response to this The.....

ASOEX:
Meeting with Chinese represenatives to discuss Chilean fruit entry
Ronald Brown, president of the Association of Exporters of Chilean Fruit AG (ASOEX), announced that the visit of an important delegation of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (AQSIQ), led by its Vice Minister, Mr Mei Kebao, has.....

AU: Tasmanian growers demand quarantine input
Tasmanian fruit growers fear changes to Australia's biosecurity laws will stop the State from setting its own stricter quarantine rules.A Senate inquiry into proposed national changes is hearing form Tasmanian primary producers and processors.A key issue is whether or not Tasmania's regional differences will.....

Granada
Spain: Asparagus losses calls for employment program
Huétor Tájar's town council, in the Spanish province of Granada, will request a special employment program to alleviate this year's "catastrophic" losses in the town's asparagus plantations, caused by draughts in 2012 and heavy rains over the past few months.According to a statement from the town council,.....

Argentina: Fruit exports grew by 11.5% thanks to Russia
The production and sale of Argentinian fruits and vegetables is beginning to rebound after a year in which the sector's problems continued to deepen; loss of competitiveness due to rising costs and lower demand, especially internationally because of the global economic crisis.According to a report by.....

New Israeli mandarin, Orri, patented in Spain
The Orri is a mandarin variety from Israel developed by scientists of the Volcani Institute by irradiating a local variety called Orah. Some of the most noteworthy characteristics of this mandarin are that they are easy to peel, have a low content of seeds and an excellent flavour.Almost a decade ago, the.....

GFSI Recognizes GLOBALG.A.P.’s Integrated Farm Assurance and Produce Safety Standard Version 4.0
GLOBALG.A.P. North America Inc. (GGNA), the USA and Canadian division of the world’s largest private sector standards organization for Good Agricultural Practice, is pleased to announce that the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) has recognized its Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA V4.0 - Fruit &.....

Produce Marketing, Business Management councils to launch at United Fresh
Two new United Fresh councils will convene for the first time at United Fresh 2013 in San Diego, May 14-16. The Produce Marketing & Merchandising Council and the Finance & Business Management Council will engage United volunteer leaders and build marketing and business value for all members. Roger.....

Global Cold Chain Alliance
2013-2014 Global Cold Chain Directory published
The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) has published the 2013-2014 Global Cold Chain Directory, the most comprehensive cold chain industry buyer’s guide in the world.The directory includes 566 pages of listings of cold chain industry providers. These companies are members of the Core Partners of GCCA, which.....

Agrocolor to start certifying Central American organic plantations in 2014
Formed by Cajamar, Coexpal and Andalusia's Government, Agrocolor was founded 15 years ago to meet the commercial and production needs of intensive production environments such as Almeria. Their goal is to comply with audits and carry out certifications of the AENOR UNE 155001 standard for quality integrated.....

CanadaGap announces new certification body
CanadaGAP™, the national food safety certification program for fresh fruit and vegetable operations, is pleased to announce the addition of a new certification body for the program, SGS Canada Inc.SGS joins QMI-SAI Global, NSF-GFTC and Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ) in the list of available.....

Horticulture's leading ladies to shine at AUSVEG National Convention
They are often the unseen, forgotten faces who play a fundamental role in driving the Australian horticulture industry. Whether hidden behind the scenes or leading their peers in the limelight, today's women in horticulture are definitely a vital part of the industry.The 2013 AUSVEG Women in Horticulture.....

USDA proposing new Canada-US border fees
Canadian manufacturers fear even more fees may be looming at the Canada-U.S. border as the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends revenue-generating measures that could result in higher costs. In a presentation to stakeholders in the U.S. capital this week, the department suggested new border fees because.....

Certificates of origin still yield no benefits in Costa Rica
Banana and coffee producers, among others, haven’t received the benefits that they expected upon obtaining the seal.They still haven’t seen the increase in the product’s value and the market size that they expected for bananas after getting the geographical indication (certificate of origin).These products.....

USDA announces increased food stamp access to fruit and vegetables
The Department of Agriculture announced a $4 million dollar, expanded-eligibility plan to increase food stamp access at farmers markets this week.Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon announced that in an effort to make more produce readily available to participants in the Supplemental Nutrition.....

AUSVEG National Convention
Master of media to be Master of Ceremonies
Excitement continues to build around the 2013 AUSVEG National Convention, Trade Show and Awards for Excellence, with well-known media personality Mr Mike Jeffreys confirmed as Master of Ceremonies for the event. On loan from Sydney’s 2UE radio station, Mr Jeffreys boasts a career spanning from print media to.....

AUSVEG endorses SPC Ardmona’s calls for Emergency Safeguard action
The Australian vegetable industry today has endorsed calls from SPC Ardmona Managing Director Peter Kelly for Emergency Safeguard action to be put in place out of concerns for the damage and injury being caused to the local horticultural industry. Emergency Safeguard actions which are permitted under the.....

CAP and OCM's reform to be discussed at European Committee
The Spanish-French-Italian Mixed Committee for fruits and vegetables, formed by producers and representatives of all three countries, will meet on 21 May in Paris, France, to analyse the results of the workshops held so far this year and to work out common strategies for the main issues of concern for the.....

Netherlands: Fresh produce brands: usually unsuccessful?
Brand strategist Joris van Zoelen is the founder of Synergy, a tactical consulting agency for ‘corporate brand strategy’, that helps organizations increase their impact and set up a stronger brand. He offers his insight in branding, and has a thing or two to says about its strengths and weaknesses."Over the.....

Medfel visitor numbers up 13%
Medfel reports that the show is now the strategic event for fresh fruit & vegetable trade and logistics in the Mediterranean.The ORANGE trade fair, featuring Egypt and with the Citrus Fruit in the place of honour, recorded +13% growth in visitor numbers.Key figures for 2013:4,894 visitor tickets, (4,321.....

Breakfast of champions at Ausveg national convention
One of the most highly-rated events of the 2012 AUSVEG Convention, the Agribusiness Leaders Breakfast, is returning again with an all-star panel that will inform and enlighten. “We’re lucky enough to have secured four of agribusiness’ most prominent leaders to join Convention delegates at this exciting.....

Spain: Almeria companies sold 8% more vegetables up to February
Exports by horticultural firms from Almeria in the last year and a half announce positive data. Shipments abroad continue to rise, not in volume where there was a slight decrease last year, but in value where there was an approximately 10% growth due to an improvement in prices.In the last few months.....

Spain: For the first time exports of pepper supersede tomato exports
The ranking of Almeria’s best-selling products abroad has changed for the first time in many campaigns. Tomato, vegetable star par excellence, has given its first place position to the pepper. Companies from Almeria sold 156.8 million Euro worth of pepper between January and February, which represents 24.1%.....

Latest USDA webinars for the fruit and vegetable industry
The Agricultural Marketing Service's Fruit and Vegetable Program invites you to take part in a series of free, interactive webinars on our many programs and services. At each webinar, you'll hear a presentation from a USDA expert on a specific topic, be introduced to staff, and take part in an interactive.....

DPA ruling disappoints USAEC
The United States Apple Export Council, which represents the export interests of 11 apple-producing states in the US, says the European Commission’s ruling on DPA could effectively end its trading relationship with European customers.The USAEC members include shippers from California, Virginia, New York,.....

Spain: Almeria's fruit and vegetables sector excluded from tax reductions
The Government did not find strong enough reasons to grant tax reductions this year to Almeria's fruit and vegetable producers, affected by frosts in February 2013 and whose estimated production volumes, according to Coag, fell by around 40% in February and 30% in March, generating "great losses," according.....

Egyptian citrus exporters could re-enter the US
Over a decade after being banned in the US market, Egyptian citrus may be able to re-enter it. The US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposed a pest treatment program for the import of Egyptian fresh oranges and tangerines, which includes mandarins and clementines.US authorities.....

AU: Finance package for struggling farmers
Struggling primary producers will be able to access low interest loans of up to $650,000 under a new assistance package designed to address rising rural debt levels announced by the Australian Federal Government today.Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan made the announcement in Townsville with Federal Agricultural.....

South Africa: New plan for farm workers
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture last week announced a thirteen point plan to improve farm workers' conditions.Many of the people who took part in the recent riots were not full-time workers, but job seekers or seasonal workers, it emerged.Asked how the plan will affect these people's problems,.....

AU: Skyrocketing imports put growers under pressure
The relentless onslaught of cheap imported produce onto the Australian market has shown no signs of abating, AUSVEG says, with a new report from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) indicating that processed fruit and vegetables contributed the majority of food imports between 2010.....

EU to ban neonicotinoid pesticides
A vote in the EU has paved the way for the European Commission to restrict the use of pesticides linked to bee deaths in scientific studies.There is great concern across Europe about the collapse of bee populations.Neonicotinoid chemicals in pesticides are believed to harm bees and the European Commission.....

Research show tomato-potato psyllid can survive harshest Winter conditions
New research conducted in the major potato growing regions of the United States, has found that the Tomato-potato psyllid (TPP) – a highly destructive pest affecting potato crops – can survive even the harshest of winter conditions. “Despite it being an extremely cold winter in some of the key potato regions.....

“Dirty Dozen” list coverage declines to negligible levels
Safe Fruits and Veggies Campaign achieves key goal
Science based information and the clear and concise food safety statements from the Obama Administration resulted in a significant decrease in media coverage of this year’s release of the Environmental Working Group’s “Shoppers Guide to Pesticides” and the “Dirty Dozen” list, according to the Alliance for.....

Spain: Asaja Málaga demands stricter controls on avocado and mango imports
Asaja Málaga warns about the risk brought by Kenyan and South African products and demands stricter controls on avocado and mango imports, which are two of the province's flagship products - essential for the local economy and leaders in quality, both nationally and internationally.According to Benjamín.....

AUSVEG National Convention speakers bring the best to the Gold Coast
The AUSVEG National Convention, Trade Show and Awards for Excellence, to be held at Jupiters Gold Coast from 30 May – 1 June, is now six weeks away and the speaker program is nearing finalisation. As the biggest event in horticulture, the AUSVEG National Convention celebrates the achievements of the last 12.....

United Fresh announces nominations for new board 2013-2014
United Fresh Past Chairman Reggie Griffin, Reggie Griffin Strategies, has announced the slate of new officers and directors nominated to serve on the United Fresh Produce Association Board of Directors, effective at its May 14, 2013 meeting in San Diego.Ascending to Chairman of the Board is Ron Midyett, CEO.....

Penn State Hass avocado research poster wins American Society For Nutrition Annual Awards
The scientific poster session, Interventions for the Treatment and Prevention of Nutrition-Related Diseases, included the poster that won first prize in two American Society for Nutrition Scientific Sessions at Experimental Biology (EB) contests - the Student Interest Group (SIG) Travel Award competition and.....

Spain: Cañete says there will be more EU money for farmers
The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Environment Miguel Arias Cañete, has said that there will be more money for farmers in the next period of the Common Agricultural Policy (2014-2020), even if the financial discipline mechanisms proposed by Brussels are applied.He stated this in the House of.....

Oaxaca
Mexico: Mango producers driven by the Sagarpa
"We will change the face of agriculture with efficiency and transparency, within an institutional framework and with the responsibility of the various levels of government to promote production in the State," reiterated Oaxaca’s Federal Officer for the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock Rural Development,.....

Chinese distributors meet with ASOEX in search of new fruit business
Looking to promote new business ventures with the Chilean fruit sector, a group of leading importers from China met on Monday April 15th with representatives of the Association of Fruit Exporters from Chile, ASOEX.“The growing interest in having Chilean fruit shownby the Asian markets, especially China, is.....

Germany and India collaborate on seeds
Recently, in Berlin, the German and the Indian government signed a statement of intention for bilateral cooperation in the seed sector. This is the first project with India within the framework of the bilateral cooperation program of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of Germany. This.....

Peru: 10 companies account for 82% of exports from Lambayeque
Even though most of their exports fell on average 35% compared to 2011, 10 companies in the agro-industrial sector, out of 160 companies from Lambayeque that billed a total FOB value of US $331,791,082 corresponding to the region's exports, accounted for 81.57% (US 270,553,868) of total overseas shipments.To.....

FDA grants extension for proposed FSMA rules comment period
In response to a request by United and other industry groups to extend the comment period for the FSMA proposed rules, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg has announced that FDA intends to extend the comment period by another 120 days. The comment period was originally set to end May 16. Commissioner Hamburg's.....

PMA Welcomes Immigration Reform Agreement
Bryan Silbermann, president and CEO of Produce Marketing Association (PMA), has issued the following statement in response to news of an agreement to reform US immigration and agricultural guest worker programs:“After more than a decade of work by our industry, we welcome immigration reform legislation from.....

BC Tree Fruit donates $2,000 to BC Cancer Foundation
After introducing the unique “Good to Go” contest as part of February Apple Month celebrations, BC Tree Fruits has selected the winning entry and charity that will be receiving funds as part of the contest. The Good to Go campaign promoted BCTF apples and healthy living across Canada, as well provided an.....

Ecuadorian Minister meets CIOPORA to discuss solutions after PBR fee increase
On the fringes of its upcoming Annual General Meeting in Angers, France, CIOPORA will discuss with a governmental delegation from Ecuador, headed by the Minister of Science and Human Talent, Mr. Augusto Espinosa, and the Director of the Ecuadorian Institute of Intellectual Property (IEPI), Mr. Andres Ycaza,.....

Argentina: Metalfor close major deal with Citrusvil
The factory at Marcos Juárez closed a major deal with Citrusvil SA, one of the world's leading firms in the lemon market. The sale includes the dispatch of 14 spray equipment itemsto Tucuman (Argentina).The lemon business is a sweet business for the Metalfor Company especially after closing an deal that.....

United Fresh applauds proposed agriculture labor reform
United Fresh CEO Tom Stenzel, fellow industry CEOs and the United Farm Workers (UFW) today voiced support of the agriculture labor provisions included in the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. The landmark legislation was introduced in the Senate today and includes.....

Australian avocado best practice resource now online
Australian Avocado growers and other members of the Avocado industry can now access the “Australian Avocado Best Practice Resource” (AABPR) a new online one-stop-shop resource that provides all the information needed to apply best recommended practices for each sector of the avocado supply chain at the click.....

Spain: Coprohnijar provides members with tablets for real time data access
From now on, the agricultural cooperative Coprohníjar will have access to the product data collected daily by its members, as they will be provided with tablets with which to share their data in real time.The cooperative's members will also receive two years of free Internet access.José Manuel Ortiz,.....

US: Dr Jim Gorny to join PMA’s Science and Technology Team
Produce Marketing Association (PMA) is pleased to welcome Dr. Jim Gorny in the new position vice president of food safety and technology, starting on May 1. In his role, he will strengthen PMA’s initiatives to build member value in the areas of science and technology, including food safety research,.....

NZ: New Avocado Growers chair
Te Puke orchardist Ashby Whitehead is the new chairman-elect of the NZ Avocado Growers Association and Avocado Industry Council.The NZAGA grower representative for seven years will replace current chairman John Schnackenberg when he steps down from the position in May as part of a planned succession.Ashby.....

Mexico: Vegetable harvests are delayed
Due to the lack of cold hours that were accumulated in the current agricultural season, 2012-2013, several crops of vegetables extended their phonological period and as a result, harvests of tomatoes and tomatillos (husk tomatoes) will be furthered delayed since, in previous cycles, the first cuts begin in.....

Colombia: Producers and exporters of Hass avocados make up a national committee
The ICA, agro entrepreneurs and in particular producers of Hass avocados are taking action so that their product is admissible in the United States.In compliance with the requirement of the Health authority of the United States (APHIS), Colombian producers and exporters of Hass avocado formed a National.....

AU: Horticulture delegation will attempt to get Indonesian market reopened
An Australian delegation is heading to Indonesia on Sunday to see if it can reopen a once lucrative market.Citrus Australia, the Tablegrape Growers and Horticulture Exporters are expecting to meet import officials in Jakarta.It follows the announcement that Indonesia will lift its import quotas on.....

Australian veg growers look to the future for inspiration
Liquid-Air engines, hydro-membranes and plant symbiosis all sound like elements of a sci-fi movie set thousands of years in the future, yet these innovations are being developed right now and will be on display at the Emerging Technologies Seminar, as part of the AUSVEG National Convention, held from 30 May.....

AU: Growcom welcomes announcement of IROs to help long term flood recovery
Peak horticulture body Growcom today welcomed the announcement by the Acting Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, Andrew Cripps that the Queensland Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry and the Queensland Farmers’ Federation will provide 15 industry recovery officers (IROs) to support.....

USDA introduces The Food Access Research Atlas
USDA Economic Research Service has introduced The Food Access Research Atlas, a mapping tool that allows users to investigate multiple indicators of food access, expanding upon what was previously known as the Food Desert Locator. A major feature of the new Atlas is that it allows users to view several.....

Agreement to import fruits from Mexico to Los Angeles signed
Yesterday, two private organizations, with the support of the Mexican government, signed, at the Consulate of Mexico in Los Angeles, an agreement to import fruits and vegetables from the state of Hidalgo.Los Angeles Produce Market Association (LAPMA) and the Business Council of the State of Hidalgo (CCEH).....

Sabores de Chile seeks opportunities in Turkey and Poland
ProChile is contemplating a new business tour of Sabores de Chile for September and October and anyone who wants to participate can now register.The opportunities of taking products to 100 million people in Turkey and Poland were never more available as they are now. This is because ProChile just opened the.....

Costa Rica: Supermarkets compete for high-income clients
Supermarket chains Grupo Empresarial de Supermercados (Gessa) and Walmart from Mexico and Central America are struggling to gain ground in the segment of high-income customers, a niche market so far dominated by Automercado.Gessa will launch its 'premium' Saretto Supermarket format, a shop it bought in 2012,.....

Disaster area declared by Sagarpa
Mexico: Totolapan's avocado production spoiled by severe frosts
The Secretariat for Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (Sagarpa) declared the towns of Tetela del Volcán and Totolapan, in Morelos, Mexico, disaster areas due to the damages caused by frosts on the 3rd of March. First estimations indicate that the losses of avocado producers alone.....

MAGAP
Ecuador: Producers benefited from help to fight the Black Sigatoka
A total of 1,067 banana producers from the providence of El Oro (Ecuador) with plantations of up to 10 hectares, have benefited from the Ministry of agriculture, livestock, aquaculture and fisheries' (MAGAP), delivery of products to combat the black Sigatoka.The fungicides and fertilizers are enough to cover.....

Portugal and Brazil sign agreement to speed up fruit exports
The governments of Portugal and Brazil signed yesterday in Brasilia (Brazil) an agreement to accelerate Portuguese fruit exports, amounting to €40,000 million and surpassing exports of wine, to the South American country.According to the Portuguese agency, the Minister of Agriculture, Sea, Environment and.....

BRICS Summit 2013
African and global food security grabs the attention of global financiers
The latest BRICS Summit held in Durban from 26–27 March 2013, brought together more than 500 delegates from the largest developing countries in the world – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Together, these countries represent 40% of the world’s population and 25% of its GDP.The Durban Summit.....

USDA offering crop grants
Federal grants remain available for people interested in boosting Michigan’s fruit and vegetable industry. The US Department of Agriculture grants range from $10,000 to $75,000. They can fund projects in areas such as marketing, research, distribution and safety.Eligible applicants include nonprofit.....

Mexico: Apple smuggling affecting Chihuahua producers
Illegal apple imports are forcing the Mexican State of Chihuahua's apple producers out of the market, according to the federal congressman, Kamel Athié.Kamel Athié Flores announced that he would defend the state's apple producers against the fruit's massive illegal imports. Previously, in late March, he.....

According to LA UNIÓ
Spain: Citrus insurance premiums could double
LA UNIÓ de Llauradors (the Growers Union) denounces that growers in the Spanish Region of Valencia could have to pay twice as much on average to insure their citrus crops compared to the previous year. Many of them have already received this unpleasant surprise from their insurance companies (see table.....

Hungary: FruitVeB increasing production by one million tons by 2020
The fruit and vegetable sector, is hoping to increase its output by approximately one million tons from the current 2.5 million tons between 2014-2020. This is expected to increase employment significantly in rural areas, by 100,000 jobs, according to Mártonffy Béla, Chairman of the Hungarian Fruit and.....

ASOEX:
Chile able to meet export committments
Ronald S. Bown F., Chairman of the Board, Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX), has released a statement relating to the recent port strike activity in the country. He said,"In regards to the port strike situation and due to most recent updates, we can inform that the strike is now under control and.....

United Fresh 2013 New Product Award finalists announced
More than 30 fresh fruit and vegetable innovations are up for United Fresh Produce Association’s 2013 New Product Awards. This year’s finalists will compete in five categories for the title of Best New Products at United Fresh 2013, May 14-16 in San Diego.“These products represent the new approaches, ideas.....

AU and NZ fresh produce sector positive about Chinese investement
The Produce Marketing Association Australia New Zealand (PMA A-NZ), representing the produce and floral supply chain in Australia and New Zealand, today heralded the deal that will see Hong Kong based Chevalier Group purchase a 70 percent stake in Moraitis as important for the industry providing closer.....

South Dakota Governor expects export boost after China trade visit
South Dakota's governor thinks his trip to China will boost the state's exports to the nation of 1.3 billion.Gov. Dennis Daugaard says South Dakota ranks last among the states in trade with China, but China is South Dakota's third-largest export market.The governor says state business leaders and ag.....

Australia, China agree to restart FTA talks
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard concluded discussions in Beijing with China's new President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang with an agreement to strengthen the countries' economic relationship, particularly through a continuation of talks on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).It was disclosed.....

Japan changes organic import policies
Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has published a list of European organic food certification bodies recognised as equivalent to Japan's certification system.Due to this, the certifications of 12 Spanish institutions will be admitted, allowing for the sale of these products as.....

Cartaya
Expansion of Martinavarro's horticultural plant approved
The town council of Cartaya, Spain, has unanimously approved the expansion project for Martinavarro's horticultural plant; a project which the town's mayor, Juan M. Polo, regarded as "very important, as it will lead to the expansion of the plant's production line, allowing for the creation of approximately.....

New opportunities for exporters
One of the ways in which the Ministry of Trade and Industries (Mici) is boosting Panama's exports is through the implementation of a program called Exports Platform, which also provides opportunities for producers who have never exported.The initiative aims to persuade Panamanian producers to become.....

Revision of POSEI - No reduction in EU aid to the banana sector
The president of the Association of Producers for Plátanos de Canarias (ASPROCAN), Santiago Rodriguez, said that maintaining the Canary banana sector required that, "in no case, the review of the Programme of Specific Options Relating to Remoteness and Insularity (POSEI, in Spanish) could lead to a reduction.....

‘EU-India trade pact open up new opportunities’
India is of the view that an early conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement with the European Union will open up new economic opportunities for both sides, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai said on Monday.Briefing the media on the upcoming bilateral visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Berlin for the second.....

To Netherlands, Italy and United Kingdom
Spanish entrepreneurs want to transport produce by sea
Experts and entrepreneurs discussed the advantages of the maritime export of fruits and vegetables.Three projects to transport Almeria's vegetables, by boat, to the markets of Netherlands, Italy and United Kingdom were presented during a meeting about the possibilities of transporting vegetables by sea held.....

PMA applauds USDA proposal promoting students’ development of healthy eating habits
Commending US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) steps to encourage students’ greater consumption of fruits, vegetables and other nutrient-dense foods, Produce Marketing Association (PMA) submitted comments to the Child Nutrition Division of the agency’s Food and Nutrition Service in support of its proposed.....

Fruits and ornamentation, among others, the most benefited
Colombia's trade with the U.S. grew 10% after the FTA
After almost a year of having signed the Free Trade Agreement with Colombia, and in a follow-up report of such agreement, the Department of Commerce of the United States announced a ten percent growth in trade between both countries.Colombia exported goods to the United States for an amount close to 24,700.....

Spain bans import of Dominican peppers
Spain has banned the import of Dominican peppers due to the presence of Endosulfan in 0.14 mg/kg - ppm, according to information from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).France has also destroyed Dominican peppers containing Endosulfan in 0.32 mg/kg - pmm and Methomyl in 0.34 mg/kg - pmm.The.....

A great concept is more important than a big budget
Fresh Marketing Ideas: Pisani Fresh Marketing has issued the following advice for the development of fresh produce brands:Many believe that you need millions of Euros to create a successful brand. Which is true – if you mean building one of the brands that everyone knows. But is also true that many brands.....

Peru, China deepen agricultural partnership with cooperation agreement
Peru and China on Saturday signed a number of agreements to expand bilateral cooperation in fields such as poverty alleviation, agriculture, education and small and medium enterprises.The signing ceremony took place in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, in the presence of Presidents Xi Jinping and Ollanta.....

Indonesia, Pakistan negotiations for FTA may take place in near future
Indonesian Ambassador, Burhan Muhammad, has said that implementation of the Pakistan Indonesia Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) will result in substantial increase in trade volume between the two countries. Speaking at a meeting of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), he said that TPA was.....

New Leadership at Potato Council
As Allan Stevenson steps down after five years as Chair of Potato Council and member of the AHDB Board, David Piccaver, a leafy salad producer from South Lincolnshire enthusiastically takes on this challenging and exciting role.“I am pleased to have been appointed chairman of Potato Council. I have been a.....

AU: Warning issued after invasive bee found on raspberries
A bumblebee has been found in Western Australia for the first time, prompting a warning from the Department of Agriculture and Food.The bees are a pest which are established in Australia only in Tasmania.A Perth woman found the bumblebee sealed in a punnet of raspberries from Tasmania and reported it to the.....

Canada: PEI Potato Board partners up for Burger Love 2013
Everyone knows that burgers and fries are best friends, making it an easy decision for the Prince Edward Island Potato Board to be a partner in the 2013 edition of PEI Burger Love, a month-long celebration of PEI beef. Thirty-one Island restaurants have created unique and mouth-watering burgers using 100%.....

New flow wrapper for fruit and vegetables
As part of its exciting 2013 marketing plans, Ulma Packaging is launching into the UK a new horizontal flow wrapper which has been specifically designed for the fruit and vegetable fresh produce sector.The FR 305, is the latest development from the innovative manufacturer and incorporates a rotary jaw, a.....

UK: MPs call for ban on pesticides which may be linked to bee deaths
The UK government should suspend the use of a number of pesticides linked to the deaths of bees, a committee of MPs has said.Members of the Commons Environmental Audit Committee are calling for a moratorium on the use of sprays containing neonicotinoids.Britain has refused to back an EU ban on these.....

US: Lisa McNeece to be honored at 2013 reception honoring women in produce
Lisa McNeece, Vice President, Foodservice and Industrial Sales, of Grimmway Enterprises Inc., will be the guest speaker at the United Fresh Produce Association’s annual Reception Honoring Women in Produce, Wednesday, May 15, at United Fresh 2013 in San Diego.Held each year in conjunction with the United.....

US: Demands will make Spanish apricot exports unviable
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for the US, APHIS, recommended, in late January, to change regulations that would allow the importation of fresh apricots avocados from Spain. The US administration drafted a protocol to be met by exporters who want to ship these products to the US and FEPEX.....

Almeria
Spain: Export of vegetables continues to improve in 2013
If exports of fruits and vegetables were one of the export areas that enjoyed better health throughout the last campaign, closing last year with positive data, both in volume and in prices obtained by products, the beginning of this year confirms that fruit and vegetable companies from Almeria continue.....

New board member terms to start January 2014
US: National Mango Board seeks board nominees
The National Mango Board (NMB) is calling for leaders in the mango industry to step forward and participate in the nominations process to become a board member. The NMB is seeking nominations for seven board member positions with three-year terms beginning January 2014. The positions include two importers.....

New list released shows top 15 pests
US: USDA promote citizens awareness of pests
A snail as big as your foot, an insect the size of chocolate sprinkles and a mold related to the one that caused the Irish potato famine are on the US Department of Agriculture's list of the top pests that threaten America's crops and forestland.The list of 15 pests is released today. Some of them have been.....

Argentina: Consumers and journalists against supermarket advertising boycott
Civil, professional and enterprise organisations questioned the decision of supermarket chains and home appliance stores to remove their advertising from newspapers under direct pressure from the central Government, and expressed that this is a "clear violation of free press." Supermarket entrepreneurs who.....

Spain: Management and control of entire chain, possible with Alter Software
The success and proper functioning of an agricultural or horticultural firm can be achieved, in part, with a proper management, from production to sale, and a good monitoring of all the necessary data to ensure that the right decisions are made at all times. Alter Software, a firm from Lleida, Spain, has.....

AU: "Research Co-funding is competition based"
The Department for Primary Industries has stated that the reason for reducing research staff numbers is related to the horticultural industry's scaling down co-financing of research projects. This, in turn, is disputed by industry representatives, such as Ausveg's William Churchill, who points out that the.....

"Mexico, Argentina and Brazil seek lands to grow crops in Peru"
Interview with Carlos Enrique Camet, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Guilds of Peru (AGAP).How does AGAP evaluate the sector this year?This is a challenging year for the agriculture sector, especially for agricultural exports, as international markets continue to be financially.....

Sweden is top for Spanish vegetables
Sweden is the best market for Spanish vegetables in terms of price paid followed by Belgium and Italy. Germany, the largest customer, ranks fourth.Of the top ten customers in the Community, Sweden, at an average price of 1.122 Euro per kilo, was the country that paid the best for Spanish vegetables in 2012,.....

Exports
Argentina: New containers with fruit arrive at Port Madryn
Last Thursday, the operation of consolidating the second set of five refrigerated semitrailer-trucks that arrived from Villa Regina (Rio Negro)began,after doing the same for a similar number of heavy freight vehicles.These operations are a result of promotion and commercial insertion planned by the Port.....

Argentina: Overseas exports of fruit grow by 25%
Up to 15 March of this year, regional fruit exports amounted to 148,538 tons. The figure reflects an increase over the same period of the previous year of around 25%.Information in a detailed report of the port terminal Patagonia Norte SA, which emphasizes that pear shipments totalled 120,759 tons while.....

Assessment of the campaign
Spain: Murcia starts the year with historic export figures
The Region of Murcia, Spain, started the year with historic export figures surpassing the 637 million Euro in value; a 4.4% increase compared to the month of January 2012.This data was providedthis weekby the Councillor of Universities, Enterprise and Research, José Ballesta, after the meeting between the.....

AU: Horticultural blame game on DPI job losses
Ausveg and Peter Walsh have traded blows over co-investment in research between the private sector and the DPI.The Australian news site Weekly Times earlier this month reported Department of Primary Industries was cutting 13 research positions, mostly related to the vegetable industries.At the time, the.....

The US may open its doors to Colombian watermelons
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States (APHIS) notified ICA of its decision to speed up the procedures to allow phytosanitary access to the US market of another fruit grown in Colombia: watermelons.This achievement results from the negotiations started by ICA in the year 2010 to.....

Spain: EU asked for stricter controls on horticultural imports
The agricultural professional organisation ASAJA Murcia deems it essential to implement a phytosanitary control plan in the European Union to intensify inspections of horticultural products arriving from other countries. The General Secretary of ASAJA Murcia, Alfonso Gálvez Caravaca, explained that, "as a.....

Spanish tomato sector asking Morocco to improve phytosanitary aspects
After the constitution of the Tomato Group within the framework of the Spanish-Moroccan Mixed Committee, representatives of both countries' Administrations, of the producer organisations Asaja, Coag and UPA, and of federations and associations representing the trading firms, met yesterday in Casablanca,.....

The misunderstanding of many produce websites
Fresh Marketing Ideas: Pisani Fresh Marketing have issued the following advice for the development of fresh produce related websites:Consider this. Business Cards are less and less necessary. Company brochures and catalogues likewise are less seen today. Nowadays, everything is on the internet. And it is.....

US: New report helps industry translate produce safety research into everyday application
A new report released by Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and Western Growers aims to help produce industry members understand the latest food safety research and how to apply key findings to their day-to-day operations. The report summarizes and interprets research presented at the third annual Center.....

UK: New open field cucurbits grower's group
A new Outdoor Cucurbits Grower Group will be launched at the NIAB Courgette Variety Trials Open Day to be held on Thursday 22nd August 2013 at NIAB’s Cambridge site. Collaboration on new research required by this sector is necessary to ensure that our HDC levy is spent on projects required by commercial.....

Spain: Fruit importers request change in sanitary regulations
The 1987 Law establishing the phytosanitary regulations for imports, exports and vegetable transport in the Canary Islands needs to be updated soon because, among other aspects, it restricts supply and makes imported fruits and other fresh food products more expensive. This is what importers and.....

EU: No consensus in the vote on insecticides in Brussels
Last Friday,Member States did not meet a qualified majority in the vote on the European Commission proposal to ban the use of neonicotinoid insecticides in crops that attract bees.The Appeal Committee of the European Commission will decide the fate of this important agricultural technology. Carlos Palomar,.....

Spain: Agroponiente and Nature Choice in merger negotiations
Almeria's horticultural sector aims to increase its power against larger distributors; the old challenge of concentrating supply continues slowly, but steadily.Although last year's campaign in Almeria was record-breaking in terms of figures, and the current one is very likely to be even better given the.....

UK: Tesco to invest heavily in digital services
Tesco will invest $750 million this year to accelerate the roll-out of digital services, Chief Executive Officer Philip Clarke said.“To compete in the new area of retailing I believe that Tesco has to be more than a retail company,” Clarke said at a conference in Singapore today. “We have to become a.....