March 6, 2026
Sector | Fruit (soft)
The tomato industry criticizes the lack of transparency regarding tomato import data from Morocco
The European Commission updates the MRLs for various pesticides starting this year
UK strawberry shortages linked to rain in Spain and Morocco
Taiwan boosts greenhouse blueberry production to reduce imports
Impressive first year for soft fruit youth-centric promotion campaign
‘A handful of summer’ exceeds expectations
Lima 2026 seminar to focus on Peruvian blueberry market strategy
Kenyan farmers increase planting ahead of long rains season
Ukraine opens new frozen berry processing facility in Drohobych
Study links red raspberries to improved blood sugar and cognition
Francisco Sánchez, manager of Onubafruit:
"I dare say that our blueberry varieties are among the best in the world"
Ukraine publishes updated export-oriented catalogue of organic berry and nut producers
Antonio Zani of OP Granfrutta Zani
"The availability of strawberries is currently reduced by 40%"
Strawberries in the Lot-et-Garonne affected by storm Nils
Berryland outlines impact of severe weather in Portugal on soft fruit crops and infrastructure
"The full extent of the damage should become clear in the coming weeks"
Sjraar Hulsman, Frankort & Koning:
"Exclusive export customers opt for higher-priced but reliable strawberries from the Netherlands and Belgium"
Olivier Thomas, Ferme du Pont d'Achelles:
"Winter is becoming a real challenge for vegetable growers"
Uzbekistan becomes Russia’s largest supplier of fresh grapes and raisins in 2025
Chilean blueberry exports up 6% in early 2025/26
Plant breeding firm expands berry genetics program in North America
Premium berry flavor and category momentum in the spotlight
Marcel Beelen, FineField:
"Within 5-15 years, fresh berry harvesting will be entirely mechanized"
New premium blackberry label introduced
Zimbabwe expands blueberry exports with off-season supply focus
“Chilling mismatches are slowing India's commercial blueberry breakthroughs"
Two new strawberry nurseries licensed in Argentina for UC varieties
Blueberry association awarded over $500,000 to expand export opportunities
German BLE week 7:
'First Minneola oranges from Israel expected in week 8'
South African tomato cultivation shifts to high-precision systems
Iraq completes first maritime export of locally grown tomatoes
Mexican blueberry growers boost yields with new genetics and hydroponics
Spain updates CPI base and adds blueberries to consumer basket
Florida suspends farm inspections after freeze and drought losses
Ghana plans to end tomato imports within six years
"We're projecting a yield increase of around 25 to 30 per cent"
Peruvian exports rise 14.4% as avocado shipments increase 35.1%
Reflecting on a century in produce
Morocco Data Club launched at Fruit Logistica 2026
Furkan Karaca, Enjoy Trade Holland:
"Several trucks of Turkish vine tomatoes dispatched daily to European retailers"
Franc Goertz expands asparagus cultivation against the trend:
“We still need to ensure sufficient asparagus for supermarkets and other customers”
Ghana targets 20 to 30% reduction in tomato imports
South African zero tariffs to China hinge on phytosanitary protocols
AgriTouch Group and SanLucar to establish 180-hectare blueberry plantation in Georgia
Tesco recalls grape and berry medley over salmonella
EU data delay triggers false drop in Moroccan tomato imports
South Korean strawberry exports hit record US$72.01 million in 2025
Azerbaijan’s imports of strawberries rose, and eggplants fell in 2025
Georgian blueberry exports rise 64.5% to US$46.4 million
Reduced thrip pressure is beneficial side effect of retractable roof greenhouse
Fixed customs rate of $90 per tonne offered for Turkmen tomato imports into Russia
18 tonnes of Turkmen tomatoes blocked in Orenburg region over quarantine pest
North Island storms damage berry tunnels at NZ farm
Peru ships 440 tons of blueberries to New York via charter flights
South African agricultural exports reach US$15.1bn in 2025
Uzbekistan expands intensive orchards and vineyards under 2024–2025 development programme
Week 7 Fruit Wholesale Market Report:
Prices rise ahead of the holiday, with cherries and cherry plums leading gains in the first half of the week
National Retail Report - Specialty Crops 13 Feb:
U.S. retail ad volumes rise 6% during seasonal demand
New food safety laws for berry, leafy vegetables, and melon growers
“This weather causes us despair. We don’t know when we'll have enough strawberries”
Putting premium berries in the spotlight
Troy Cleaver - Tomra:
"The 5S Blueberry is the realization of everything we learned in ten years"
After Valentine’s Day, wholesaler Sebrechts shifts focus to the spring season
"Supply issues in Spain push strawberry prices higher ahead of Valentine’s Day"
Soft fruit grower Gijs Hoogendoorn on severe weather in Portugal:
“The chances of the reservoir filling were as slim as an Elfstedentocht in the Netherlands”
Jonathan Vandesande, FMB: “Cucumbers will remain a luxury product for now”
"Severe weather in Spain pushes cucumber prices to unprecedented levels"
Recent storms in Spain have impacted approximately 40,000 hectares
German BLE week 6:
'Demand for apples was favorable in some areas'
University Of Arkansas tests drone-based flower counting for blackberries
Strawberry pop-up highlights premium varieties at Lumine Agri Marche Tokyo
NSW implements new food safety rules for berry and melon growers
Tomer Biran – 360 Argus
Protecting varietal IP using proactive prevention rather than purely reactive enforcement
Cost structures in industrial raspberry production in Poland compared with competitors
Scottish grower launches heart-shaped strawberry punnets for Valentine’s Day
Abrupt end of season for many Moroccan soft fruit growers
Supermarkets account for over 83% of strawberry sales in the Netherlands
Retailer focuses on quality and breeding to strengthen strawberry category
Florida strawberry levels increasing
Germán Vergara, ProChile:
"German customers prioritize long-term relationships and trust"
Colombia's blueberry industry is growing quickly, but it hasn't achieved export levels
Maine blueberry growers receive US$1.3 million emergency support
Seasonal perishable products weekly update:
U.S. asparagus prices rise on Peruvian imports
Russia continues tomato imports amid phytosanitary findings in February
Peru to host 2027 IBO Summit
Jan van Bergeijk, Plusberries:
“I haven’t seen conditions this extreme in Huelva in more than 30 years”
Germany:
Highest harvest volume for shrub berries since recording began in 2012
U.S. vertically grown strawberries launch in Ontario retail
Brazil forecasts 4,000 tons fig harvest in Valinhos for 2025/26
Ukraine launches support program for organic berry and nut producers and processors
Florida delegation seeks USDA disaster declaration after freeze
Florida freeze threatens winter vegetable and citrus supplies
Lima panel examines logistics impact on Peruvian blueberry exports
Blue Maldiva blueberry shows high jumbo yield in Mexico and China
"We will continue to export fresh strawberries this season as late as demand allows"
Produce ads increase 3% ahead of Super Bowl promotions
Seasonal perishable products weekly update:
Asparagus movement increases from Mexico into U.S.
FruitMasters and BrightBerries unveil new name for Rubin raspberry
Yumio raspberry aims to set a new quality standard
Growers launch campaign to protect EU tomatoes
“Defending European tomatoes is defending Europe”
German BLE week 5:
'Presence of Spanish cucumbers remains limited'
Poland to host international blueberry conference in March
Morocco emerges as fastest-growing tomato supplier to Germany
Pakistani tomato sector faces heavy metal pollution risks
Storm Marta causes severe damage in Andalusia and further reduces berry, vegetable, avocado, and citrus fruit supply
Mariana Ochoa Cordero, of Berryum:
"Varietal adaptation is essential to remain competitive in international blackberry markets"
Looking ahead at the start of the domestic blueberry season
Moroccan tomatoes have disappeared from the EU import statistics
Raspberry: A strategic option to expand Peru's agro-export offerings
Week 6 Fruit Wholesale Market Report
Chilean plums hit the market while Australian green grapes prices remain high
Origen genetic breeding program unveiled in Berlin
South Korean strawberry exports expand in Indonesia
Chinese blueberry exports up 602 per cent 2023–2025
Hazelnuts and new table grapes expand crop options in Wisconsin
Moldova remains top buyer of Ukrainian tomatoes in 2025
New berry product in the spotlight
"Egyptian strawberry acreage increased, but yield per hectare declined"
UK backs precision breeding for tomatoes with US$1.4 million funding
Tropical Blue blueberry shows early performance in southern Spain
Namibian blueberry project targets 250 ha expansion
Floods in northern Morocco hit soft fruit growers
"In the face of fierce competition, differentiated, high-quality strawberry varieties are standing out"
Nigeria seed firm launches tomato and pepper processing facility
Australia approves GM Purple Bliss tomatoes for fresh sale
Louisiana strawberry growers manage freeze-affected harvests
Mexico raises tomato exports to Canada to US$8.1 million
NSW debate grows over regulation of blueberry farms
National Retail Report - Specialty Crops 30 January :
Retail ads reflect seasonal holidays and produce pricing trends
Snack tomato and convenience vegetables target changing consumer demand
Florida temperatures affect good strawberry growing season
South Korea ships Damyang strawberries to Singapore
Mexican red tomato exports down 5.5 per cent in 2025
