Thursday, April 18, 2019

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Florida: “Probably the best peach crop in years”

Peach production in Florida is hitting its peak this week and growers and packers alike are busy shipping peaches out to different parts of North America. The season has produced an excellent crop thanks to ideal weather conditions and a lack of tropical storm activity last hurricane season. “Florida’s…

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Holy Week celebrations affecting US lime supplies

Supplies of fruits such as limes and honeydew melons are coming under pressure as the Holy Week observance in Mexico means less fruit is being shipped over the border. The Holy Week is celebrated in the lead up to Easter and millions of Mexicans take the week off for observance and celebration. For US…

US raspberry market tightening up

Supplies of raspberries are reportedly tightening up as Mexico's export season begins to wind down. California production is still light but starting to see more volume as its lengthy season gains momentum. "We are seeing some domestic production starting up around the Santa Maria area," observed Peter…

Indian mango export season starts

Mango consignments leaving for US & Australia

As Alphonso mangoes are in great demand in many markets abroad, they form a substantial chunk of India’s export basket. The mango export season has started in Maharashtra, with 28 tons of the fruit leaving for American and Australian shores. Officers of the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board…

Changes to Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Foods potato breeding program

The potato breeding program operated by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has a long history, having released more than 130 new varieties over the past 90 years. Because of…

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"Things started picking up with Easter coming"

MARKET UPDATE New York: Michelle Gurda with A. Gurda Produce in Pine Island said on April 17, “Starting yesterday things started picking up. Seems like buyers forget what the…

Consumer Price Index up 1.9%

Higher prices for vegetables in Canada

As price pressures strengthened for fresh vegetables (as well as mortgage interest costs and auto insurance), Canada’s annual inflation was up last month. Statistics Canada said Wednesday that the country’s consumer price index increased 1.9% in March, in line with economists’ expectations. It was higher…

Argentina: "Some blueberry fields won't be able to continue producing"

The crisis in the sector continues and the area planted in the region shows a downward trend. This is in response to a series of factors. "Some fields won't be able to…

Peru's grape season ends with more than 47 million boxes exported

According to information provided to SimFRUIT by the Table Grape Producers Association of Peru (Provid), Peru exported 47,032,696 boxes of table grapes in the 2018-2019 season…

Fruit makes up 60-70% of produce exports

Why do Chinese companies choose fruit over vegetables?

There is a growing divide between fruit and vegetables when it comes to the Chinese import and export markets. DCF Produce Co., Ltd. is a specialized trade company with years of experience in import and export. DCF began exporting Chinese vegetables to Southeast Asian countries in 1988. They later added…

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Global Focus
Global Focus Packing/Machinery/Fresh-Cut

Move from cups and shakers to small bags for snack mini tomatoes

You get tomatoes in all shapes and sizes. From cherry tomatoes and snack tomatoes to TOV and loose tomatoes. For every tomato, a suitable packaging solution has been found. These are needed to bring this product, undamaged, to the consumer. There is also a growing trend toward smaller, snack-sized…

Sealing the future for automated tray and flow wrap packing

Heightened demand for hygienic, secure and innovative packaging that not only improves product longevity, but increases its retail shelf appeal by delivering good product visibility, is leading to significant uptake in top seal and flow wrap machines by food suppliers. Rise in demand for these speedy…

Trend for less packaging material offers new opportunities for suppliers

Supermarkets are collectively dedicated to using less and more sustainable packaging. Is that good news for the packaging sector? The supermarket branch association CBL recently announced that 25% less packaging will be placed on supermarket shelves in 2025. To realise this goal, projects with suppliers…

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Europe

Italy: Thirteen hectares of lettuce grown on a floating system

All types of lettuce are grown with the floating system on an area of 13 hectares. The whole system is automated to produce salad marketed under the brand name Ninfa. The location is Standiana, (Ravenna), near the large amusement park Mirabilandia, famous in Italy. "Here we also have fun with water - and…

Hailstorms hit Puglia

FreshPlaza talked to a few producers after the heavy hailstorms that hit Puglia on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th April 2019. Francesco D'Urso, a producer located in Crispiano (Taranto), says that "there was a heavy storm on Sunday afternoon which has caused a lot of damage in the vineyards." "Hail stones were as big as…

Blueberries used for diversification in Val di Non

Fabrizio Zadra, an apple producer from Sanzeno Val di Non (Trento), has decided to diversify its production with soft fruit and with blueberries in particular. The company features an apple orchard covering 4 hectares and 700 blueberry plants. A few pots with blueberry plants "We grow the Royal Gala,…

Lithium batteries now used in agriculture

The horticultural sector is adapting to respect the environment and reduce energy consumption with an eye to efficiency and savings. With this purpose in mind, Bagioni is equipping various machines with lithium batteries. This innovation will be presented at Macfrut (hall B7 stand 48), especially for…

Italy: Fluctuating trends for kohlrabi

Kohlrabis grown in greenhouses are currently being harvested in the area near the Sele river mouth. Due to the unstable weather, the start of the campaign was delayed, however now the risk is that the produce will have to be harvested earlier than usual. "It is the first year we are commercializing this…

Prices of strawberries from Naples are increasing

The strawberry season is in full swing in the Naples province. Prices have been fluctuating so far, also due to the presence of the foreign produce, although Spain does not seem to be doing so well lately. "We grow and commercialize the Nabila, Fortuna and Melissa varieties on the domestic market. We…

Lemons with an edible peel are the most popular on the market

Wholesaler Daniele di Mauro reports that prices are good at around €1.20/kg (of course for larger grades such as 3). These lemons have an edible peel and therefore are not treated with chemical principles or wax. Daniele di Mauro "You can tell, as the peel has imperfections. These lemons are not…

FME Commercial Director, Willem Weening:

"Easter rush in the mushroom trade"

There could well be an Easter rush in the mushroom trade. This is according to Willem Weening. He is Belgian mushroom wholesaler, Fresh Mushroom Europe's, (FME) Commercial Director. "There is high demand, and the market is tight. This situation requires a great deal of attention to ensure we meet all our…

"Satisfactory start for organic citrus in dramatic Spanish citrus season"

Oversupply and too-low prices characterize the 2018/19 Spanish citrus season. This is according to Marcel de Koning. He is Agribur's Commercial Manager. This company is based in La Vall d'Uixó, Spain. "There were reports to expect a much larger production volume in Spain than the previous season," he…

Dutch supermarket Plus will use blockchain technology to map banana supply chain

The first Dutch supermarket to exclusively sell Fairtrade bananas announced their next important steps during the World Banana Day. The supermarket organisation will use blockchain technology to show consumers exactly where the bananas come from, and the route they have taken. They will immediately take…

Elstar’s importance increases within Dutch apple production

NFO reports that the pear area in the Netherlands has once again risen in the past year: from 9,741 hectares in 2017 to 9,971 hectares. After a remarkable increase in recent years, the Buerré Alexandre Lucas area remained stable in 2018, while the decrease of Doyenné du Comice steadily continues,…

Paul van Groningen (Green Food Iberica) looks ahead to Spanish stone fruit and melon season:

Spain: “First watermelons shipped, nectarines still scarce, peaches more widely available”

The Spanish summer fruit season has started again. “Last week, we started shipping nectarines and peaches, which is fairly early for the time of year. Growers are positive about the quality and expected volumes,” says Paul van Groningen of Green Food Iberica, which takes care of buying the Spanish…

Italy: Fresh produce no longer on sale at FICO

Although spring is in full swing, there is very little fresh produce at FICO Eataly World, the large food park in Bologna inaugurated a year and a half ago. While the FICO acronym stands for Fabbrica italiana contadina (Italian farming factory), visitors can find processed products at most. Inside Fico…

The asparagus season is in full swing

"Sales had been bad, but now we have too little asparagus available"

The asparagus harvest in Germany is in full swing. At Asparagus Farm Allofs in Geldern-Walbeck, the cold weather of the last days has brought some relaxation, both in the harvest itself and regarding the price of the vegetables, says senior partner Franz Allofs. "The sales were bad until the beginning of…

Benno Neff, Tobi Seeobst AG:

"The increasing demand for organic fruits was very helpful"

Harvest year 2018 has broken all records at Tobi Seeobst AG in Bischofszell. Manager Benno Neff focuses on digitization and is working together with SFS on their sustainability strategy. Despite all the turmoil, the major supplier has been able to get back into the black, CEO Benno Neff told the…

BLE Market Report KW 15/2019:

Germany: 'France was dominating Italy in cauliflower supply'

France was dominating Italy regarding cauliflowers. The inflow had been limited, but sufficient to meet the demand. Demand was not particularly strong, so limited the availability did not generally affect the prices. These developed differently: they moved up in Munich and Cologne, which noticeably…

Market Report Austria KW 16/2019:

'Austrian onion prices at record level'

In the next few weeks, the very last old potatoes from Lower Austria will be sold over the counter. For hard-boiled potatoes, the season should end during the Easter weekend.…

Enrico Smolik, Smolik Obst Gemüse Freiburg GmbH:

"Regional rocket and babyleaves are well received"

Strawberries and asparagus nowadays dominate events at the Freiburg Wholesale Market. On the medium-sized, very manageable wholesale market in southwestern Germany, certainly the regional fresh specialties are well received by the major customers. That is why, apart from all the classic Easter…

Patrick Romanens, Fine Funghi AG:

"Our mushroom substrate is made from wood chips and wheat bran"

At fist glance, cereals and mushrooms seem to have little to do with each other. But far from it: "When grinding cereals, a lot of wheat bran, husks or peels are produced," Patrick Romanens, Deputy Managing Director of Fine Funghi AG told the COOP-Zeitung . "Wheat bran is particularly suitable for our…

Alex Lussi, Gotthard Bio-Pilze AG:

"International cuisine and increasingly vegetarian diets work out fine for us"

It is a cool 13 o in the cave. Water drips from the ceiling, a sweet smell is in the air. From countless blocks stacked on shelves, mushrooms stretch their brownish hats towards the ceiling of the cave. Here, in Rotzloch in Stansstad, Swiss brothers Alex and Urs Lussi have been breeding king trumpet and…

Kenan Kilia, Herner Gastro Service GmbH:

"Good demand for watermelons for Easter"

At the moment, there is a great demand for watermelons in gastronomy. Just in time for Easter, the first products from Spain and Morocco arrived simultaneously in wholesale this week. "Preliminary forecasts for pricing are positive: Next week, prices are expected to adjust to the market. If the…

Brittany and the Regional Chamber of Agriculture (CRAB) support BreizhCop

During an organized visit of the UCPT cooperative with the new president of the CRAB, André Sergent, the Brittany region and the Regional Chamber of Agriculture affirmed their…

Conhexa group

“A full logistics service from the ship to the final customer”

With the port of Sète, the Conhexa group has now added a new entry point, after Dunkirk, for the fruit and vegetable flow destined for southern Europe. Thanks to this new tool, the group is able to provide a full logistics service from the ship to the final customer, including the reception, quality…

Jolanda de Zeeuw, radish farmer:

“Late Easter, good weather make for lots of radishes on the market”

At the beginning of February, De Zeeuw, a radish farm in ’s-Gravenzande, the Netherlands, sent out an appeal on Twitter. They needed someone to come and help mechanically harvest their radishes. The vacancy has since been filled, but not without some difficulty. Just in time for the annual peak period.…

Huntapac Produce

Profits doubling for UK veg and salad producer

Vegetable and salad producer Huntapac Produce, headquartered in the UK, has almost doubled pre-tax profits after a strong performance. It did, however, warned people that the current financial year has brought about challenges. Huntapac Produce was founded by William Hunter in 1942 and is now under…

Eric Chartrain, Vice President & General Manager EMEA Packaging

"Cardboard packaging boosts fruit and vegetable sales"

The elimination of plastic containers seems to be one of the objectives of large European distribution chains in the medium and long term. The question is: what does the future of corrugated cardboard or wood packaging look like in view of the current "antiplastic" boom, as well as the raised awareness…

Spain: Region of Murcia starts cultivating organic king oyster mushrooms

The Spanish region of Murcia has started cultivating organic king oyster mushrooms. It is a local and fresh product that is normally only found in the wild. The king oyster…

Value of Spanish melon exports hit record levels in 2018

In 2018, the value of Spanish melon exports reached record levels, according to data processed by Hortoinfo and supplied by the statistical service Estacom (Icex-Tax Agency),…

Marco Rivoira:

"Ambrosia had good results in a complicated apple campaign"

Another commercial season has come to an end for the Ambrosia ™ apple, which has been able to find its own space for further development, even in a European apple campaign that was problematic. "It's not an easy season for apples in general," said Marco Rivoira of the Piedmontese group of the same name,…

4.2% increase compared to the previous campaign

Over 4 million tons of citrus fruits harvested in the Region of Valencia

The Council of Agriculture, Environment, Climate Change and Rural Development of Valencia has published the results of the second citrus season in the region. The harvest of…

Brexit is having an impact on logistics

Spain: Slowdown and low profitability of fruit and veg shipments

The fruit and vegetable logistics market saw its development slow down and its profitability reduce at the end of last year. It has gone from increasing its sales by 8% two…

Star blueberry accounts for more than 60% of Huelva's acreage

Spanish firm Ecoculture advances blueberry flowering by 20 days

The Almeria-based company Ecoculture Biosciences has managed to advance the flowering and fruit setting of Star blueberries grown in the province of Huelva by up to twenty days. This has been achieved in the latest tests carried out with a program based on the foliar and root application of two of its…

France: Organic consumers have a better diet

A new study published by INRA shows that large consumers of organic products have a diet which is more in line with nutritional recommendations. They also have a lower…

Belarus: Early spring crops sowing campaign nearly over

The general sowing of early leguminous crops is nearly finished, said Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister Anatoly Khotko on 17 April, during the 5th export forum ‘Dairy…

Potato market Ireland – Update 17th April

Due to the cooler weather of the past week, higher potato consumption levels were maintained. Irish glasshouse potatoes have made their appearance on the market for the first…

UK: Demand for strawberries increases with rising temperatures

As the weather improves and Easter approaches people turn to summer fruit. TG Fruits in Brighton, UK, have pushed the boat out this week with Sonsation strawberries from Belgium. “The strawberries go to auction in Belgium and where the quality is checked,” explains Andy Griffitsh from TG Fruits. “They're…

Spain: Government to approve participation in Valencia port logistics project

Spain’s central government plans to approve its participation in the construction of the Intermodal and Logistics Platform of Font de Sant Lluís in Valencia. Under the…

Consequences of ‘faceless’ food supply chain:

Consumers warned of cyber security risks

According to experts, protecting the UK’s food supply chain from fraud and cyber attack should be the focus of a new ‘centre of excellence’. The challenge emerged at the latest Let’s Grow workshop which saw leaders working across the food supply chain meet at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) to…

Venezuelan marketers leaving again

Curaçao: 29 entrepreneurs ready to take over floating fruit market

Sources say that 29 potential entrepreneurs are ready to take over the Willemstad floating fruit market. Next week, the Venezuelan marketers are again leaving, this time due…

Prices for cabbage reached record high

Polish winter vegetable season is ending

The season for winter vegetables is ending in Poland, where ironically a frost has been damaging the Polish fruits. The past season has been a turbulent one, with prices skyrocketing and even some confused growers who did not know how to approach the situation. One Polish exporter stops to take a look at…

USDA GAIN Report

"Czech vegetable prices hitting the roof"

The prices of some vegetables, especially potatoes, in the Czech Republic are increasing dramatically due to a significant drop in production. Consumers are paying almost 25% more for vegetables (including lettuce, peas, cucumbers etc.) and over 67% more for potatoes. At this point, some imported…

Oceania

AU: Inaugural National Banana Day to champion industry

Australians love bananas. We eat them at breakfast, drink them in smoothies, pack them in lunchboxes, and we even sing jingles about how they make our bodies sing. So it is fitting that an entire calendar day has been dedicated to celebrate the much loved Aussie favourite. Wednesday, May 1, has been…

New Zealand: Better AI's mean that 'robocrops' are coming

In New Zealand, as is the case everywhere, the main impediments to adoption of technology are cost, access, and expertise. However, whether it's robotics or artificial intelligence (AI), adoption of new technology is usually quite high; provided, of course, it makes a tangible difference to the…

Coles supermarkets

Australia: Supermarket giant helps farmers drought-proof operations

In Australia, Coles supermarkets is stepping forward to assist with a water-saving initiative. This has made the fight against drought conditions one step easier growers like…

World

Top 10 countries with highest number of work hours (2017)

Mexico topping the list here.

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