March 2007

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Friday March 30

• EU to revise phytosanitary import restrictions for citrus
• US: Wal-Mart disputes reports on RFID
• Costa Rica: crocodile wounds young banana grower
• Australia: Food for thought when your fresh produce is foreign
• Ecuador: tribunal consults banana growers on abolition of minimum price
• Poland: market for organic food will grow tenfold during next decade
• Russian fruit market: instability of trade
• US: E. coli: The risk remains as spinach harvest begins
• Valencia: citrus sector largest export sector in spite of crisis
• Cooperativa Sant’Orsola: turnover 2006 +10%
• Russia: increased import of citrus fruit
• Spain: ASPROCAN argues that third countries and ACP banana exports increased in 2006
• COAG-Spain: “ reform of the CMO will reduce producer prices”
• Packing technology first of its kind in Australia
• US: Downeast Maine blueberry processor fined for environmental violations
• UK: Packaging Automation offers perfect solution for innovative new food pack
• Kuehne + Nagel to strenghten operations in Slovenia
• Ghana fruit and vegetable sectors grapple with challenges of growth
• US: business heats up for chile growers
• Canada: Court's decision shocks potato farmers
• Fruit terminal at Maputo port will benefit citrus farmers
• Farm produce export grows nearly 50 percent in E. China province
• Germany: Reduction of CO2 emissions with “Controlled Atmosphere”
• The "green," and hopefully clean, produce of China
• Spain: A new bioinsecticide, non-contaminant and harmless but highly effective against the most common greenhouse pest in Almeria
• Spain: That - apparently - is it
• India: Andhra to witness steep decline in mango production
• More than 50% of all Europeans do not know anything about the CAP
• India: Precision farming, a boon to vegetable farmers in Nellai
• Jamaica: producing vegetables more enterprising for Denton
• New Zealand: A smart start to organic growing
• UK: Potatoes need overall protection against wireworm damage
• UK: SIRIUS begins new shipping service through Thamesport
• US: Immokalee workers to launch boycott of McD’s
• Argentina: significant increase in fruit exports
• India: ‘Potato king’ nominated to PAU board
• US: Peach crop the pits; festival axed
• US: Pomegranates, the exotic antioxidant
• US: UW-Eau Claire Researchers Find Surprising Results in Veggie Study
• More produce news :
  • British High Commissioner dismisses 'food miles' argument
  • Potato growers to be suppliers, owners in new firm
  • Agreement aims to keep potato pest in check
  • Speakers urge California growers to be proactive
  • AgroFresh opens California research lab
  • Ukrainian market expects for the pre-holiday price growth for mushrooms
  • Ukrainian greenhouse complexes easily sell the grown produce this season
  • Ukraine: purchase prices for commercial tomatoes can decline in 2007
  • Group mulls how to best continue after pistachio commission's demise
  • California Senate ag committee passes three food safety bills
  • Supporters hope bill encourages lawmakers to EAT healthy
  • California traps a new pome-, stone-fruit pest
• Economy news:
  • Cutting emissions may harm Australian economy
  • Most urban Chinese believe consumer prices are high
  • EU: Eurozone economy records best performance since 2000
  • Swedish March consumer confidence indicator 15.4 vs 18.7 in Feb
  • Modest expansion for US economy
  • Vietnam trade deficit bulges in first three months
• Retail news:
  • Australia: Expert condemns Coles for misleading market
  • UK: Fears of supermarket shortages as workers strike
  • US: Ban on plastic supermarket bags introduced
  • US: Circuit City replacing 3,400 employees who earn too much
  • US: Walgreen earnings rose 25% in second quarter

Thursday March 29

• Bananas take lead as the European Marathon season kicks off
• Zwaardfruit continues as Jaguar, the Fresh Company
• US: small orange harvest forces juice prices up
• FPAA achieves significant progress on implementing new import requirements with homeland security
• Ex-BC Hot House VP becomes Enza manager
• SunOpta Expands Supply and Strategic Exclusive Agreements in South America
• Ecuador: satisfying banana market in Europe
• Russia: every fourth retail market can be closed soon
• Philippines: PGMA leads send-off of fresh mangoes to U.S.
• Spain: dropping of import restrictions on Argentinean citrus opposed
• Spain: growers discuss leaving Intercitrus
• South African farmers warned over pesticides
• US: endive farmer envisions new ag complex on I-80
• Peru: ADEX wants to double non traditional agri-exports in four years
• Western Pistachio Association Committed to Filling Void Created by the Termination of the California Pistachio Commission
• Peru: mango production reduced 46% in Lambayeque
• Poland: wholesale markets prepare for Easter
• Mexico: 850 MT of citrus fruit confiscated
• Spain: persimmon an autumn fruit in spring
• Proof at last that organic apples can be better for you
• Moller Maersk Says Full-Year Profit Fell 22%
• Senegalese horticulture grows but faces challenges
• Ecuador: minimum banana price still applies
• Spain: Canary Is. government suggests payments every six months to banana producers
• Australia: potato shortage leads to production line shutdown
• EU provides assistance for Jamaican banana farmers
• India: Sonepat tops in mushroom production
• Australian growers taken through code
• Ghana: Northern Star Tomato Plant Inaugurated
• Not Enough Fruit in Your Diet? Try a New Form
• Australia: Perfect Packaging to showcase new rotary machine at Auspack
• Tropical Peaches Grow Well in Cuba
• US: early sweet onions from Mexico available now
• US Biogiant wants to keep selling GMO alfafa
• Asian Citrus to raise up to 30 mln stg via placing of new and existing shares
• US Scientist: Juice manufacturers kill vitamin C
• Timing key for carrot cavity spot control
• Weather worry for Malaysian fruit growers
• Economy news:
  • Bernanke says U.S. economy to expand at more sustainable pace of growth
  • The Philippines Asia's 'top-growth' economy
  • Israel's economy - good, but not good enough
  • China: consumer price index may exceed 2.9% in March
  • US consumer confidence drops in March
• Retail news:
  • India's Reliance eyes European, US retail partners
  • ‘Concerned’ citizens threaten Tesco’s US expansion plans
  • Lidl Advances On The Slovenian Market
  • US: Albertson's Workers Approve Strike Authorization In California
  • Asda's good reasons to check out Sainsbury's
  • Romania: hypermarkets expand to Eastern Bucharest
  • UK: Sainsbury sales up in fourth quarter

Wednesday March 28

• Oomen Agro and Riverside Exports start trade co-operation
• Earthcycle’s announces new distribution agreement
• California tomato growers unite
• Poland: poor results of vegetable export
• Chile: FTA with Japan to have neutral effects for fruit producers
• Zola Açaí Power Juice Line Now USDA Certified Organic
• Produce growers form new network for East and Southern Africa
• Ecuador: tribunal cancels articles in banana law
• Argentina: vegetable exports amount US$58 million between Jan-Feb
• Spain: the volume of fresh produce exports increased 10,5% in January
• German study found pesticide rakes in conventional and forbidden substances in organic bananas
• Costa Rica: migrant labour and fruit exports more expensive?
• Bill would move ag inspections back to USDA
• India: efforts to enhance mango production needed
• Poland: dried fruit and nut market consolidates
• Exporters desperate as Kiwi hits 15-month high
• US democrat majority presents a "new trade agenda"
• Nursery Group Adds New Member From China
• US Potato Growers Up Their Assessments
• Australia: crackdown on recycled water after crop damage
• Final policy issued by Biosecurity Australia on NZ apple imports
• Pakistan: PPD to deal with mango exporters’ claims
• ML Macadamia Orchards, L.P. Announces First Quarter 2007 Distribution
• Australia: Blue Mountains fruit growers gain hail relief
• US Farm-State Lawmakers Divided on Easing Restrictions on Specialty Crops
• General Mills hopes for 'Fruit Ripples' effect
• New technology can protect crop yield during periods of heat
• Ethiopia - GTZ promotes apples in the highlands of Ethiopia
• Bangladesh: good prospects for vegetable and fruit exports
• Economy news:
  • U.S. Economy: Confidence Wanes, House Prices Decline
  • Indonesian economy set to grow 6-7 % this year
  • Iran says resolution 1747 to have no impact on its economy
  • Taiwan Economy showing signs of slowdown
  • China economy to slow slightly
• Retail news:
  • US: Target Expects Strong Sales In March-April
  • Carrefour, Wal-Mart Boost China Sales on New Outlets
  • Morrisons ponders £1bn sale to avoid takeover
  • Chile: D&S To Open 20 Ekono Stores

Tuesday March 27

• Introducing "Yami", Slovakia
• US: watermelons cover marijuana smuggling attempt
• Wal-Mart Rethinks RFID
• Idaho Fresh-Pak Inc. Announces Merger with United Fresh Potato Growers Of Idaho and R.D. Offutt Company
• Former state potato commission director gets five days in jail
• Poland: will Chinese pick up Polish strawberries this year?
• Argentinean agricultural exports to the EU increased 15%
• Costa Rica: university conquers organic market with fruitbrand Earth
• EU Commission asks Spain on domestic aids for transformed tomato
• Hungary needs more potatoes
• California: warm weather benefits fruit trees
• Kuehne + Nagel targets top 5 contract logistics position
• Peru: US and EU main destination of fruits and vegetables
• Australia: US authorities on alert after apple moth find
• Rains in Sao Paulo to Boost Brazil Orange Crop, Abecitrus Says
• La Palma goes bananas
• EU research to develop technology for sustainable organic food production
• Israel: potatoes become more popular ahead of Pesach
• USIBC lobbies for Indian mangoes
• New Zealand: international food safety experts meet in Paihia
• Asda to grow curry ingredients in UK greenhouses
• UK: cherries on sale at £19.49 a pack
• Kiwi fruits are better if organic
• Organic Farm Producers in Scotland Decreasing
• Blueberry Skins Eyed as Cholesterol Busters
• US: cattle ranch near spinach farm had same E. coli
• India: rains ruin almond crop in Kashmir
• Florida's Grapefruit Industry Bounces Back After Several Years of Strife
• Moldova: horticultural production reconstruction
• Economy news:
  • Ghana: U.S. Gov't Confident in Country's Economy
  • Tokyo Tokyo index rises for 5th session, led by consumer finance issues
  • Palestinian economy fares better than feared
  • US vs Canadian economy
  • IMF: Global economy on track for growth
• Retail news:
  • Coles & Myer: A tale of two households
  • Tesco Malaysia aims for 40 hypermarkets in five years
  • UK: Wal-Mart's Asda mulls Sainsbury bid -sources
  • UK: Sainsbury's see profits soaring to £359m
  • Couche-Tard Acquires 28 Stores in Ohio
  • US: Safeway interested in acquisitions
  • US: Walgreen Quarterly Profit Jumps 25%

Monday March 26

• The Netherlands: Royal van Namen takes over DTC
• Colombia: large investigation in banana protection money looms
• UK: The man who invented food miles
• EU relieves special import restrictions for Argentine citrus
• US: State Board of Agriculture schedules 2007 Farm Bill update
• US: Yuma fights infestation in melons
• EU: Colombian WTO procedure complicates CAN-EU negotiations
• Australia: Apple growers may sell up
• Russia: increased amount of pesticide residues on products from Turkey
• Chile: garlic was an export oriented product
• US: CDFA secretary A.G. Kawamura applauds committee's approval of disaster assistance for California farmers
• Japan: Can papayas boost breast milk?
• Nicaragua: cooperative exports tubers and fruits to Florida
• US: Emirates Shipping Line joins INTTRA's growing network of member carriers
• Canada: Fears over raspberry industry
• India: Erratic weather spells doom for Himachal Pradesh's stone fruit farmers
• Taiwan: high export prices for stone fruit
• Philippines: S. Mindanao posts decrease in papaya production
• Greenhouses in southern Gaza Strip hit hard during weekend storms
• Russia: changes in the juice and nectar market
• Mexico: technology to increase productivity of melon cultivation
• UK: Producers 'must understand efficiency'
• South African authorities reject field testing of GM cassava
• US: Superb iceberg lettuces resist corky root, mosaic virus
• Pakistan: Export of food items falls 7.5pc
• Australia: PA182 tray sealer available from Packaging Automation
• US: Should we irradiate fruits and vegetables?
• China: Hutchison's profit surges 40% on narrowing 3G losses
• US: Vidalia® onion shipping date set for April 10
• Produce growers form new network for East and Southern Africa
• US: Organic IS healthier, say food scientists
• Dominican Republic expects to enter EPA with EU
• Vietnam: Plans to set up fruit, vegetable and flower export centres
• Global: Planes, kiwis now forbidden fruit
• US: Farmers sell fennel as herb and vegetable
• Mozambique seeks to revive cashew industry
• Pakistan: USAID to help develop chillies, tomatoes & mango crops for export
• Wastewater irrigation empowers Kenya's urban farmers
• US: Almond California dip in thin trading
• UAE food processing sector continues growth

More produce news:

• Open Letter: NZ Apple Access to Australia
• Dollar hits growers
• Seedless Fruits Make Others Needless
• New fruit & vegetable processing plant has been comissioned in Georgia
• The consumption and import of citrus fruits decline
• Foreign nations look to U.S. with interest in fresh produce
  (The Produce News)
• Fred Williamson of Andrew Williamson has died
  (The Produce News)
• Potentially damaging pest found in California
• Supplier sues Taco Bell over green onion issue
• Grower-shippers form California tomato co-op

• European consumer confidence probably rose to a six-year high
• Russia: Foreign exchange
• US: IMF: global economy on track for growth
• Agricultural policy reform vital for SA economy

• With Wal-Mart unionized in China, now what?
• Romania: Small supermarket chains team up against international retailers
• Russia: Auchan drove us out of Yekaterinburg’s Top 5 food retailers list, reports Alexander Raisikh of Zvezdniy supermarket chain
• UK: M+S go organic for Easter
• US: Judge approves Albertson's overtime

Friday March 23

• Fyffes profits slip on banana rules
• Russian fruit market: trade activity slightly increased
• US: California Giant promotes family size containers & reduces costs
• Claims of Chiquita involvement in arms shipments inaccurate
• EU restricts use of 9 pesticides regularly found in 4 fruits
• Spain: record cherry exports in 2006
• Chile: box shortage frustrates fruit exports
• Russia temporarily suspended Pakistan agri product
• China: stonefruit production forecast up 5%
• Yearround baby vegetables from South Africa at Special Fruit
• US: Scientific testing confirms Earthcycle Packaging is certifiably renewable
• Europe: How can the fruit and vegetable sector be made more competitive?
• UK: Organic vegetable price information finally available
• Australia: Fresh produce wholesalers to refuse delivery under the code
• US: Light brown apple moth detected in East Bay
• Jamaica banana exports climb
• Sorma Group: high impact packaging
• Spain: Valencia will organize the first European “5 a Day” congress
• Philippines: Pineapple production increases by 1.55%
• Chile: stonefruit production estimate revised downwards
• US: Blueberry growers advised to be wary of trends
• Panama supports Ecuadorian WTO arbitration request
• Poland: last days of apples export to Ukraine
• US: PMA international council brings together Mexican industry and global suppliers and retailers
• Colombia wants WTO consultations with EU
• Drought in northern Peru endangers agricultural sector
• US: Specialty crop growers seek boost
• US: Success for North CA fresh produce and floral council
• UK: We need more organic stall on market
• Ugandan president takes entire cabinet on farm tour
• US: Humble produce label wins first innovation award
• New foam packaging factory to boost Suriname agro exports
• Indian potato futures dip below key support
• France: advertisers should warn consumers on unhealty food
• US: Farm claims libel in E. coli scare
• Canada: Energy costs keeps greenhouses from expanding into growing variety of vegetables
• India: Cold Chain Network can create greater value for farmers
• Poland: changes on vegetable market
• Operation of Guayaquil port in hands of Phillippine Consortium
• New Zealand: Backpacker lodge moves in
• US: Food is better when it doesn't travel too far
• Mozambique: Cashew alliance meets in Maputo
• Thailand: Tipco Foods looks to ease baht impact
• U.S.-Brazil biofuels pact has broad significance
• More produce news:
  • Consumers can win free Dole salads for a year
  • C.H. Robinson opens Mexican division
  • Long-term tree damage from frost suspected
  • State taking a hard look at food safety
  • Duda switches to bin harvesting system for Texas and Vidalia (The Produce News)
  • Six L's/Custom Pak to distribute under 'Disney Garden' brand (The Produce News)
  • Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival in full-tilt planning mode
    (The Produce News)
  • Trip provides New York agriculture producers insight into Chilean practices (The Produce News)
  • Research on Greening Top Priority
  • USDA has faced problems in accurately forecasting the size of Florida's citrus crop in the 2006-07 season and those obstacles will affect future monthly forecasts
  • Mexican grape prospects better now than in 2006
  • Vidalia onions should pick up speed by late April
  • Low demand for citrus imports could change soon
  • Volm buys Columbia Packaging
  • Ag trucking summit promises big names, hot topics
  • Revised EAT Healthy America bill introduced
  • Farm aid plumps up Iraq funding
  • Technical Difficulties
  • Pundit Pulse Of The Industry: Fyffes’ Dr. Laurence Swan
  • Pundit’s Mailbag — AgJOBS vs H-2A
  • DRC loses two founding members of its board of directors
    (The Produce News)
  • House introduces farm bill wish list for specialty crop producers (The Produce News)
• Economy news:
  • Israel: State of Economy Index up 0.3 percent
  • The New Zealand economy is sinking while financial assets soar
  • UK: Retail price index hits 15 year high
  • U.S. Economy: Leading Indicators Index Fell 0.5%
• Retail news:
  • Chile firms seek investments abroad
  • Kesko Food's and Rautakesko's Boards of Directors
  • Japan supermarket sales continue to fall in february
  • US: Ahold CEO says US Foodservice selling process 'progressing well'

Thursday March 22

• China: record level of strawberries production in 2007
• US: Brydon named California Avocado Commission Field Representative
• Peru: £166m of cocaine hidden in asparagus
• US: Panel delays discussion of leafy greens measures
• Lithuania: next target of Russian embargo for horticultural products?
• US: Sunfood Nutrition announces certified organic Goji berries
• US: Ocean Spray relies on vibratory shakers from Key
• According to local media : Attorney General wants to trial Chiquita directors in Colombia
• Spain: new sales centre guarantees cost price
• Italy: hail grains as big as nuts caused 50 million damage
• Spain: apricots to be included in the reconversion plan by the MAPA
• Spain: tomato processing volume decreases 9,5%
• US: Congressman attaches aid for spinach farmers in war spending bill
• French-Spanish committee will debate the CMO of fruits and vegetables
• Nicaragua: fruit producer starts pineapple exports
• Tanzanian official praises bumper harvest, scolds desk-bound extension officers
• US: Mangosteen juice is here to stay, Xango
• US: Study links apples to reduced risk of heart disease in women
• US: Winter proves costly to SLO county growers
• Spain: third country exports of avocado affects domestic production
• China: Hutchison profit may surge as Europe 3G losses narrow
• Panama Canal may resist shipowner calls to delay toll increase
• US: Watermelon serves up medically important amino acid
• Australian papaya and papaw back on the shopping list
• US: a fresh crop of grapes
• Pakistan: Rain damages gram crop, kinno orchards
• Uganda: Iganga Farmers Eye Sh1.2b From Mangoes
• US: New fruit & vegetable processing plant has been comissioned in Georgia
• US: exports of mangoes: farmers should also benefit
• US: local asparagus hits the farmers markets
• US: bee shortage could sting Maine blueberry growers
• Kenya rakes in Sh2b from Macadamia sales
• More produce news:
  • Supermarket set on buying local
  • No strike yet as grocery contract talks continue
  • Low asparagus prices could lead to Easter shortage
  • Mushroom council plans national ad campaign
  • Leafy greens board creates ag practices draft
  • Dole, American Idol star team for promotion
  • Dole to use GPS, RFID for product tracking
  • Revised EAT Healthy America bill introduced
  • Snowboard star helps sell California Grown concept
  • Florida strawberry group names marketing director
• Economy news:
  • Estonia's economy to grow 9.2 percent in 2007 as inflation remains problem
  • India: Economy not overheating
  • Italy March consumer business confidence index 112.6 vs 111.7 in Feb
  • Malaysia's CPI up 3.1pc in February
  • US: Consumer Index matches its record one-week drop
  • U.S. economy will grow, but corporate profits will erode
• Retail news:
  • Wal-Mart expands presence in Canada
  • Germany: Metro says profit growth will slow on Wal-Mart stores
  • Mega deals could spell disaster in India
  • Britain's No. 1 supermarket chain, Tesco, agrees to $1.3B land sale-leaseback deal

Wednesday March 21

• WTO starts arbitration between Ecuador and EU
• US: Chiquita Provides Interim Price & Volume Data For Q1 2007
• First Tarocco oranges by Oranfrizer on the Japanese market
• Costa Rica: new pineapple exporter
• Basketball fans ‘hoop it up’ with California avocados
• Italy: new brand and website launched for Fucino’s potato
• Poland: mandarin season comes to an end
• Russia: more citrus deliveries from Morocco
• Colombia: exchange rate gives signals of the country’s loss of competitiveness
• Spain: High-quality melons and watermelons expected from Almeria
• Switserland: Kuehne + Nagel inaugurates new German head office in Hamburg’s HafenCity
• Ecuador: banana growers insist on minimum price of 4.20 dollar
• Spain: 70K MT of citrus damaged by gusts of wind
• Espinosa secretive about negotiation results with Fischer Boel
• EU: APEB wants boycott of banana imports in FTA talks with Latin America
• Panamanian banana exports increased 24,6% in January
• Pictures from European course on quality and safety of Fresh-Cut Produce
• Peruvian results after the Fruit Logistica
• Italy: annual seminar for Ifoam-Eu Group in Bari
• Senegal's groundnuts sector struggles
• Colombia signed FTA with three Central American countries
• Major UK fruit importer - Eurodix - orders SSI TROPOS ERP solution
• Europe: Tien Giang applies EU standards in pineapple cultivation
• Americans 'skeptical' about organic food
• Philippines: PGMA inaugurates vegetable processing and packaging plant in La Trinidad
• US: New Fruit Ripples(TM) partners with target portrait studios to offer 'Apple of My Eye' sweepstakes
• Belize: Banana worker killed in machete fight
• US: Chiquita finds bananas have appeal
• US: Kool Kountry Cold Storage looks to nature to enhance quality and extend shelf life of fresh produce
• Bangladesh: Potato growers fail to achieve target for quality seed crisis
• US: Tomato farmers call planting weather ideal
• US: Student finds mouse inside bag of potato chips
• Australia: Do frozen vegetables pose a hazard for your kids?
• Europe: WTO to rule whether EU still flouts decisions on banana imports
• Australia: Atherton farmers struggle through cyclone aftermath
• US: New virus attacks melons, cucumbers and squash
• India: Labour charges hit grapes output in AP
• US: Asparagus to apples, reform has failed
• Philippines: 5 more Benguet towns producing strawberries
• US: New spud variety commemorates Lehigh Valley potato heritage
• Europe: Fruit and veg driving Euro organic market
• VN aims to cash in on produce
• US: PMA applauds introduction of EAT Healthy America Act
• United Fresh supports EAT Healthy America Act
• More produce news:
  • Meeting To Promote Asean Horticulture
  • Citrus Agency to Defend Budget
  • Low asparagus prices could lead to Easter shortage
  • Mushroom council plans national ad campaign
  • Leafy greens board creates ag practices draft
  • Dole, American Idol star team for promotion
  • Dole to use GPS, RFID for product tracking
  • Fairtrade is on the move in Great Britain
  • Is organic really better?
  • Florida update (The Produce News)
  • WASHINGTON ROUNDUP: Industry eyes immigration reform
    (The Produce News)
  • Grant J. Hunt receives Food Alliance certification
    (The Produce News)
  • Desert lettuce deal has been a tough one (The Produce News)
  • Seald Sweet West takes on Mexican organic citrus deal from Citrus Industries (The Produce News)
  • Mushroom Council unveils its new retail ad campaign
    (The Produce News)
• Economy news:
  • Argentine economy could go either way in downturn
  • Australia: Economic growth set to accelerate
  • Euro rising on improving EU economy
  • Qatar's economy will reach USD 100 billion by 2013 - official
  • South Korea's economy grew revised 0.9% on exports
• Retail news:
  • Carrefour leads Dubai bargain hunt
  • Japan: Daiei proposes Aeon Mall president to be its new chairman
  • US: Research and markets: Get an in-depth company profile for Auchan SA
  • US: Trying for a better fit
  • US: Evaluate the current position of each of the major retailers in the greek

Tuesday March 20

• Brazil switches citrus production to bioethanol
• Spain: citrus grower prices below 50% of cost price
• Dominican Republic fears renewal of banana preferences
• A Gala Tribute to Global Copycats
• Florida Grapefruit balloon flight
• Poland: high prices of frozen onion in EU
• Russia: the largest greenhouse complex to be build in Astrakhan
• EU Commission approves new regulation on onion exports
• Ghana tomato farmers, traders agree to end bitter stand-off
• Brazil: banana fibres for industrial use
• Wine turns sour for South African grape farmers
• Chile: proposal for more sanctions to illegal access of fruits and vegetables
• Ecuador: alternatives of exporting by small-scale farmers
• Peru: flooding river hurts banana production
• Australia: Growcom thanks North Queenslanders who helped after Cyclone Larry
• US: PMA provides half-million dollars to PBH’s capital campaign
• US: Identification of fresh-cut produce from field to fork
• Australia: Banana industry faces skills shortage
• Hungary: Poisonous bell peppers found in Szolnok store
• India: snow springs hope of bumper fruit crop in Kashmir
• Philippines: Asean horticulture produce meet to be held in CDO
• UK: Purple grape and cloudy apple juice could prevent Alzheimer's disease
• India: potato blight causes 30% loss in potato yield
• US: New agricultural research institute planned
• Pakistan possesses great potential for fruit, vegetable export
• Assess the US fruit and tree nuts market on a state by state basis
• India: Jharkhand farmer brings 'Ber' fruit crop to parched land
• Saudi Arabia: Organic farming within the year, says Balghunaim
• US: From potatoes to pistachios & paw paws, Idaho’s coming a long way
• Australia: Bananas are back on track
• US: California crop report
• South Africa: Monster tides shut KwaZulu-Natal ports
• US: Montana potato farmers join united potato growers
• Vietnam: Fruit and vegetables sector faces new opportunities
• US: National Health Initiative encourages the consumption of more fruits and vegetables in all forms: canned, fresh, frozen, dried and 100% juice
• More produce news:
  • Melissa's launches the prized Sicilian Tarocco orange season (The Produce News)
  • Five Crowns hires VP of retail sales, plans to build citrus packinghouse (The Produce News)
  • NRA’s Peter Kilgore Speaks Out
  • No Deal On The Seal!
  • Pundit’s Mailbag — Reaction To NRA’s Reaction
  • Raisio drops Russian potato business
  • Banana industry 'recovering' after Larry
  • Citrus Officials Meeting With Governor
  • Tomatoes Grow Well In Diluted Seawater And Produce More Natural Antioxidants
  • Imported pineapple tariff stays in place
  • Record-priced fruit for tomato growers' labor
  • Serve fruits rather than chocolate, Norwegian ministers told
  • Ministers Discuss EU Agriculture in Brussels
• Economy news:
  • Asian markets shrug off China rate rise
  • Hungarian economic sentiment fell on lower business confidence
  • Cape Verde economy “remains solid,” International Monetary Fund says
  • Tanzania: January exports in 6pc increase
  • UK: Inflation expected to hold steady
  • US: California ready for New Economy
• Retail news:
  • Germany: EU inquiry deadline into Rewe buy of Delhaize's Delvita stores April 25
  • UK: M&S supplier in dispute over Moroccan workers
  • Former Tory minister calls for Tesco break-up

Monday March 19

• Colombia investigates extradition of Chiquita management
• L&G Produce: new player in fruit and vegetable exports
• Zimbabwe: plans to increase citrus exports
• Poland: Russian ban on import of Polish produce still in force
• Ceofur: specialist in red radicchio production since 1970
• Costa Rica: slower increase of pineapples exports in 2007
• Rwanda gears up for pineapple exports
• Colombian government will sell its participation in PROBAN
• Spanish minister of agriculture bargains for transitory regime in CMO reforms
• Italy: temperatures could fall this week
• Ukraine: building of agricultural wholesale markets network project
• Boom for first Italian fruits and vegetables due to warm winter
• Spain: FEPEX says that substitutive products affect fresh produce consumption
• Peru: dry weather an advantage for increasing avocado production
• Italy: commercial results 2006 for Fairtrade products
• US: Lucky shopper wins trip to Hawaii courtesy of Pacific Rose
• UK: New European Leafy Veg project is not just Rocket Science!
• INTTRA marks its first anniversary of alliance with port of Valencia: boosts e-commerce adoption through INTTRA-link
• Second produce alliance member receives the AiroCide PPT Seal of Air Security Certification
• Russian prime minister leads business delegation to South Africa
• Bangladesh: Another wonder crop for farmers in the offing
• Eastern European countries on the move
• Chinese to invest $60m in Guinea Bissau's cashew industry
• Nigeria-based agricultural institute receives Kellog grant for cassava production
• UK: Food agency hopes to end food label war
• India: South Gujarat emerging as major mango exporting hub to Gulf
• US: Now's the time to plan blackberry harvest
• UK: Veggie ban for Chelsea fans
• Australia: Wealth management
• US: Cabbage has supplier seeing green
• Maersk introduces direct cargo service to the US
• Citrus prices squeeze consumers
• US: Farm bill has unusual focus: fruits and veggies
• Earlier, more consistent mango production in Réunion
• US: HHSS, Omaha Hy-Vee join in new fruit and vegetable initiative
• UK: McCain animates its potatoes
• China: Going bananas over a deadly disease
• US: Organic orange juice's popularity is skyrocketing with consumers, growers
• Vietnam: Eight State-owned agri firms to equitise
• US: Papaya production falls
• Australia: Leading nut processor hits out at ‘ineptitude
• US: Pence reintroduces farm protection bill
• India: Unseasonal snowfall spells doom for Kashmir farmers
• US: CFIA and USDA begin implementation of additional potato surveillance measures
• Withdraw GE and apologise FSANZ
• US: Watermelons Get All-Clear From EPA
• India lists 80 agri products for tariff cut
• More produce news:
  • Mango production decreases by 1.26%
  • Citrus Research Blooms in Polk
  • 10th international pear symposium
  • 2007 Ecuador Development Marketplace
• Economy news:
  • UAE economy grows 8.9% in 2006 on oil, investments
  • China cools economy
  • China raises interest rates to help balance its economy
  • China, India, Russia stocks lose favor even as economies boom
  • Peru’s economy grew 9.22 per cent in January, the highest in 11 years
  • Vietnam strives to strengthen sea-borne economy
• Retail news:
  • Angola: Prime minister inaugurates Supermarket
  • Australia: Takeover target Coles puts supercentre plan on hold
  • Circuit City to shut down 62 stores in Canada
  • Canada: Couche-Tard Quarterly Profit Down 20%
  • E.U. delays review of Carrefour bid for Ahold's Polish stores
  • India's reliance industries eyeing 13% stake in Carrefour: Financial Times
  • US: Stater Bros. Markets announces major remodel of Perris supermarket

Friday March 16

• Spain: Anecoop achieves record sales but farmers do not receive benefits
• Russian fruit market: trade activity has gone down
• Spain: commission trade proves catastrophic for citrus growers
• Ghana's production, export of MD2 pineapple goes up
• US: Apple consumers reap heart-health benefits thanks to flavonoid content, says new research
• Belarus: more investments in greenhouse industry
• Quality is the competitiveness determinant on PGI “Cítricos Valencianos”
• Exportation Brand “Ecuador: Quality of origin” positively qualifies its presence in German fairs
• Spain: lemon price multiplies by 11
• Ecuador: The Global Banana Congress
• Mexico: citrus transports paralysed
• Poland: growing prices of agricultural land
• Second Panamanian container port to be build at the Pacific coast
• USTR says that a gradual negotiation can benefit the Doha Round
• UK: Produce world group to implement Anglia’s LINKFresh® Solution across its subsidiaries
• Guinea Bissau warned to avoid repeating cashew policy mistakes
• Nigeria has world’s lowest agriculture yield : expert
• US: Blackberries top in antioxidants and potent cancer fighters
• India: Almonds fall to snowfall
• US: January cold snap hurt citrus and artichokes
• Philippines: More infra projects needed for Benguet veggie industry
• US: Finally, disaster aid to farmworkers
• Jamaica: New ginger facility to open in April
• US: Federal tests of watermelon don't show health risk from chemical
• Dehydrated onion processors look beyond India
• A move to make fresh US produce safer
• Israel: Hot chili peppers for protection
• US: Secrecy, danger surround genetic engineering of grapes
• Global: West Bank produce facility proposed
• US: Fewer than a third of Americans eat recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables
• Switserland: AG: Members discuss new Cairns Group proposals on sensitive products and tropical products
• US: Sunsweet Growers, Inc. celebrates 90 years
• Australia: IFTA and Grape Awards
• US: Tomatoes are ripening in Somerset County
• United Arab Emirates: RP expects US$ 16-M export sales in Dubai
• US: Springtime in Georgia gets started with the annual Vidalia Onion Festival
• More produce news:
  • USDA delays Canadian quarantine inspections until June 1
    (The Produce News)
  • Costco’s 2nd Quarter Slideshow Available
  • The First President Of Perishables
  • What Is Wal-Mart’s Role In the New NRA Food Safety Standards?
  • Traceability Calls For Enhanced Communications Language
  • Pundit’s Mailbag — Another Victim Of Spinach Crisis
  • Researchers develop folate-rich tomatoes
  • Program educates would-be fruit and vegetable growers
  • Grant will help New York fruit growers reduce pesticide use
  • Results mixed in latest Florida citrus projection
  • Immigration legislation expected by early April
  • Movement slows for both storage, fresh apples
  • Watermelon promo ties to television series
  • Sun World opens Chilean office
  • Dole to use GPS, RFID for product tracking
• Economy news:
  • Canadian economy to slow for third straight year: Scotiabank
  • A good period for the Jamaican economy
  • Japan leading index rev. up to 40.9% in january
  • U.S. Economy: Producer prices rise more than forecast
• Retail news:
  • Canada: Sobeys holds to low-price plan to combat Wal-Mart as Q3 profits drop to $33.3m
  • Czech republic: Delvita, billa merger subject to EC approval
  • France's Casino says full-year profit jumped 74 percent after disposals
  • Tesco recruits homeless in Poland
  • Russia: X5 expects food market to top $400 billion in 5 years
  • UK: Morrisons gambles £450m on move into Waitrose territory
  • US: JC Penney to open new logistics center
  • US: Unique web site gives shoppers the bottom line on supermarket savings

Thursday March 15

• Chiquita pays 25 mln. dollar fine for transactions to terrorists
• Chiquita Statement on Agreement with U.S. Department of Justice
• EU: Fischer Boel speaks tough judgement on citrus sector
• Start of breeding season at Fruit Tree Research Institute in Rome
• Hispa Fruit completes assortment with bananas
• Russia: Sunway Group Ltd and Maroc Fruit Board (Morocco) signed an annual contract
• Ethiopian horticulture allocated special attention areas
• Few agricultural firms absorb 6.8% of EU funds for all of Italy
• US: Perishable Foods Coalition recommendssolution to industry inefficiencies
• Ecuador: banana grower strike looms in El Carmen
• Export potential smallholder irrigation scheme launched in Kenya
• Poland: first wholesale market obtaining Integrated Management System
• Argentinean pears passed sanitary control in Panama
• Poland: potatoes became more expensive than oranges
• Chile: new campaing initiated to promote the country
• BioFach China networks supply and demand
• ProChile receives price as the best trade promotion organization
• US: 'Citrus fruits: State market index' is taken from analysis based on data applied from 1,442 industry firms
• Italian minister for agriculture comes to new agreements for fresh produce export to Japan
• India: Controlling basal stem rot in coconut trees
• US: President Bush issuing disaster declaration for Cal citrus freeze
• Italy: too few young growers and entrepreneurs in agricultural sector
• US: Foundation is changing its carrot approach
• US: CCOF and IOIA Co-Sponsor Organic Inspector Training
• US: Texas crop report
• EU: New red wonderberry faces ban from shelves
• US: Proposal to end potato tax alive
• Farmers urged to encash on subsidy
• US: Grape Expectations
• Asia: Good living
• US: Man struck by truck at field; Driver unaware, struck victim, killing him
• Punjab Markfed to export fruits to Pakistan via Wagah
• US: Insect broker provides natural protection for gro