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Demographic tidal wave widens performance gap between fruits and vegetables

CUPS grapefruit still shipping from Florida

Taylor Farms acquires Equinox Growers

Largest mid-Atlantic commercial greenhouse acquired

New CFO for Cox Farms

Celebrating farmworkers for Farmworker Awareness Week

Date demand outpacing global supply

The first estimate for the 2026 Peruvian Hass avocado season points to 7% growth

Tony Freytag joins F&S Fresh Foods

Strong start to 2026 peach season anticipated

Professional padel player signs on as global berry brand ambassador

Sector | Vegetables

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Geert Baecke, Tino's Fruit:

“Asparagus prices could rise next week due to colder weather”
Max van Ooijen, Tolpoort Vegetables:

Belgian endive market under pressure, but quality remains strong
VBT figures week 12:

Tomato prices continue to peak
Mike Fielden - Boratto Farms

Costs give impetus for innovation for leaf producer
Riaan Boshoff - Grow BothaRoodt

Pepper market needs the magic of Easter weekend

Focus on resilient brassicas and mechanisation in production

U.S. research targets longer artichoke shelf life

Sector | Bananas

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Belize banana exports reach US$7.8M in January 2026

Jamaican banana recovery under way as TR4 threat grows
A Better Choice

A new cultivation system doubles Cavendish banana yields in the Philippines
Pietro Cipriani of the Hame Group

Guatemala strengthens its position as a banana supplier in Europe
Software benefits banana importers:

“Thanks to FIPS, delayed cargo ships are immediately centrally displayed"

Equifruit named again to Top Growing Women-Led Companies list

Chiquita resumes Panamanian banana trial ahead of export restart

Sector | Potatoes and Onions

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René Segers, Mulder Onions:

“The Dutch onion sector likes to boast about high export figures, but neglects to mention the risks”

Uzbekistan seizes 72.3 kg of hashish hidden in potato replicas

U.S. potato growers face H-2A visa delays ahead of 2026 season

Taiwanese biodegradable films increase sweet potato yields up to 3x
Full market access restored for fries from Belgium and the Netherlands

Colombia removes duties on frozen fries imports from Europe

"The dominant position of Belgium and the Netherlands could accentuate the pressure on available outlets"
Indian exporters balance strong pink onion arrivals against 8-10x freight

"Onions from Yemen, Sudan, and Pakistan are filling the gaps left by India in the Gulf"

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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Alexandra Valdez, Frutical:

"Frutical exemplifies a new wave of community-oriented, market-connected agro-export companies"

Dragon fruit continues as key flavor trend

Slow export campaign for Tunisian dates this season
In conversation with Gabriele Ferri, director of Naturitalia

Rising consumption and a vibrant green kiwi market
Angelo Benedetti of Unitec during a recent conference:

Robotic kiwi harvesting to become reality by 2027

South Korea launches new prickly pear cactus varieties

"We will do our utmost to ensure there are no flies in our shipments"

Sector | Company news

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Obituary Gerard Mostert (Betrex Espana)

Vista Vineyards names new director of sales

Polder Potato and Q-potato Holland explore strategic partnership

Divine Flavor announces leadership promotions
“Combination of unfavorable market conditions and disappointing results”

Largest Belgian endive producer in the Netherlands declared bankrupt
Growing spring onions and celery

Tuinbouwbedrijf Kouwenberg joins Compliment

California Fresh Fruit Association hosts 90th annual meeting

Sector | Greenhouse

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Broader change in how CEA is viewed

"New UK Land Use Framework puts greenhouse sector on the map"

New greenhouse greens product introduced in Ontario Costcos
Martin McAdam - Shockingly Fresh

"We need to encourage more investment in this type of production to keep fresh produce on the shelves"
Marco de Bruin:

“If you want to make impact in the market, you have to compete with outdoor lettuce”

From snack packs to centerpieces: Evolving greenhouse varieties for changing consumer habits
Building propagation as infrastructure: Ontario Plants advances system-level control in CEA

“The propagation layer in North America remains fragmented”

Power Smart Champions featured in mini-doc series

Sector | Logistics

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Global shipping rates rise as oil prices drive fuel surcharges

Brazil highlights maritime security as Santos handles 29.6% of trade
ESC webinar: Rising fuel prices and route diversions put pressure on global logistics

"Like during the pandemic, a problem can quickly escalate"

Maersk reroutes vessels via Cape due to Red Sea constraints

Middle East conflict puts global fresh fruit logistics to the test

Savannah prepares for citrus imports with expanded cold chain

Brazilian truckers consider strike as diesel prices rise

Sector | Machinery

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Boost your fruit processing capacity immediately

Complete sorting, weighing, and packaging line for frozen fruit

AGVs gain ground in the fresh produce sector: “It brings greater control to production”

Manufacturer expands automation range with three new machines
Avocado processing line from Apeel Sciences available at Industrial Auctions online auction

Keep fruit fresh for longer and process vegetables more efficiently

Robotic hand developed to handle fragile items such as fruit
Calderoni launches a solution on which to apply different components

Weeding - more and more space for "precision" mechanics
Marcel Beelen, FineField:

"Within 5-15 years, fresh berry harvesting will be entirely mechanized"

Sector | General fresh produce

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Eric van Bergem reaches retirement age but continues working in the business

"In Curaçao, I introduced Conference pears to consumers for the first time"

Chinese robotics data centre uses fruit washing tasks to train AI models

Oman buyer explores Brazilian fruit sourcing under ApexBrasil program

New Jersey pilot program to test fruit and veg prescriptions via pharmacies

Supplier introduces 6% price increase and 3% surcharge

U.S. ag groups seek removal of phosphate fertilizer import duties

"Risk surcharges are suffocating us"

Sector | Management

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U.S. states sue USDA over funding conditions tied to policy compliance

U.S. lawsuit challenges USDA funding conditions for agriculture

U.S. lawmakers push tariffs on Mexican produce to support Florida growers

U.S. and Mexico launch talks ahead of USMCA joint review

U.S. and Ecuador sign reciprocal trade agreement

NFU re-elects Rob Larew as president and Jeff Kippley as vice president

Cammack secures disaster declaration for Florida Farmers

Sector | Miscellaneous

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Second-life batteries for irrigation in Yucatán

South African rand hits 3.5-year high

For sale: Poortcamp 10, De Lier

For lease: New distribution centre at Nieuw-Reijerwaard, Ridderkerk

Fresh produce honored on Syria's new currency

$336,560 awarded by USDA through Arkansas Department of Agriculture

South Africa citrus sector mourns Deon Joubert

Sector | Fruit

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Cherry blossoms protected under covers at Amelinckx Fruit

"New plastic tunnels bring cherry season forward to mid-May and extend it to the end of July"

Premium Peruvian blueberries gain share with US$2.28/kg price gap

U.S. wild apple genetics collection faces relocation risk

Stone fruits in North Macedonia develop smoothly this season
Greek apple season heading towards its end

"Balkan countries and European markets have become more interesting"

Berry group partners with padel player Delfi Brea as 2026 ambassador

British Columbia pear industry aims to move toward automatic harvesting

Sector | Herbs

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War, rain and flight cancellations disrupt basil supply to Europe

“Uzbek herbs take on Turkey and Egypt in EU markets”

Koppert Cress understands chefs' constant demand for new flavors and surprising products

Basil demand picks up ahead of Valentine’s Day
Mixed herb packets and baby leaves

Flexible solutions for changing demand

Fresh herb demand strong and steady for holiday season
Kruiden Claus celebrates 125th anniversary

"Strong demand for ginger and turmeric plants as cultivation becomes more viable"

Sector | Agenda

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Spring Policy Summit to feature USMCA roundup

Speakers announced for Southeast Asia fresh produce meet-up in Bangkok

Interfresh Eurasia to take place between 8 and 10 September in Izmir

IFPA moves Global Produce & Floral Show off the weekend

Round table at Macfrut 2026 to address challenges and opportunities in Italian greenhouse cultivation

Organic Produce Summit 2026 registration open

Asia Fruit Logistica opens ticketshop and matchmaking platform

Sector | Citrus

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Henk Nijhoff, Exsa Europe:

"Lime market recovers after dip, but quality differences remain wide"
Miguel Barber, Pomelos MBC:

"Grapefruit consumption has decreased, but our turnover has increased by 25%"
Daniel Badger - Vitafresh Produce:

“No grower has enough lemons to satisfy the global demand"
Marta Bentancur, of Upefruy:

"Citrus production will increase by 10-15% or more"

Heat causes bloom concerns for California citrus growers
Week 12 Fruit Wholesale Market Report:

Chilean plum prices rebound, while New Zealand apple prices decline
Sam Vaisala - Sai World:

“If one market doesn’t work, we move into another.”

Sector | Organic

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How BioOrganic supports organic farmers in a risky, uncertain market

Climate change and retailer pressure squeeze European organic growers
Luciana Zamora of Zamora Citrus:

"Organic lemon supply falls short of European demand"

U.S. Northwest organic sector grows, but processing capacity lags

Ireland sees growth in organic vegetable sales

U.S. organic produce sales reach $22.7 billion in 2025
Long-term strategy outweighs short-term economics

Dutch sauerkraut producer converts entire cabbage cultivation to organic
Gerard Kenens, VerKen Bio Deli-Vers:

"Earlier start for Natyra due to higher volumes, but you do not leave a good apple unsold"

Sector | Health

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Flavonoid-rich foods associated with happiness in U.S. women

Scientists develop vitamin A-enriched tomato

Apple fiber helps fend off colon cancer and more

Moderate fruit and vegetable juice intake and its health effects

The consumption of superfoods continues to grow in France

New dietary guidelines reinforce essential role of fresh produce

Produce industry shows support of new Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Sector | IT

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Dr Sivam Krish - GoMicro AI

AI removing the "subjectivity tax" on the supply chain
"ULogs4A is more resistant to humidity and suited for long transits"

Newly launched data logger operates autonomously for up to 300 days without power

"We develop AI-based solutions for growers and nurseries"
BerryWorld live with QC app from FreshControl

“It took a next-level effort to incorporate all requirements into the inspection report”

Robotic apple harvesting

Indonesia advances digital agriculture with new farm-app deal
Johan Mostert – DiPAR Systems

Inside the architecture driving real-time fruit supply chain decisions

Sector | Innovations

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UAE FoodTech Challenge win

Akorn Technology readies for expansion in Africa and South Asia

Monitoring more than one million citrus trees with the help of AI

Pop Its snack cucumbers tap into demand for true bite-sized convenience

Fruit quality meters help manage harvest timing, lot segregation, and shelf-life performance

When efficiency in blueberry harvesting becomes a necessity

Custom LED gains ground as Italian nurseries push for efficiency

Extending shelf-life of blueberries and avocados by storing and shipping under low pressure

Sector | Processed fruit and vegetables

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The SM2 pomegranate deseeder by PND (Italy)

Advanced technology for extracting arils and optimizing production space

"We're expanding our corn exports to new markets with new flavours in the pipeline"

Four new flavors for value-added salad lineup

Brazilian orange juice inventories rise 75.4% by end of 2025

Brazilian processor installs 30-ton-per-hour frozen potato line
Simon Matthews - AgriCoat NatureSeal

Cost-effective sulphite-free anti-browning dip for peeled, sliced, and diced potatoes

Jordanian NGO grows and exports fresh produce

Sector | Cooling

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Cool Control expands to four cold stores with 12,000 pallet spaces in 30 years

"By offering a total package, we have grown with the foreign growers' organisations"

New 3,000-tonne freezing complex to be built in Ak-Suu, Kyrgyzstan

Year-round fruit supply in Australia depends on cold storage

“Bringing cold storage costs back to the levels of ten years ago is our principal aim”
Isolcell's vision for the future of fresh produce

"Controlled atmosphere, tailored ripening, and new global balances"

One Frio launches European cold storage platform after seven acquisitions

“The new cooling facility brings increased flexibility”

Sector | Food safety

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Mexico and U.S. strengthen food safety cooperation as trade grows
Update:

Canada recalls macadamia nut products over Salmonella risk

Canada recalls Dan-D nuts in over Salmonella risk

The European Commission updates the MRLs for various pesticides starting this year

“If Canada’s Destination Inspection Service closes, we destabilize the market and create long-term reputational damage”

Canadian Food Inspection Agency plans on discontinuing their produce inspection services
AVA-ASAJA

EU intercepts this year's first Egyptian oranges with banned residues and pesticides

Sector | Nuts and dried fruits

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South African macadamia prices diverge as tariffs ease

Faced with growing demand, Morocco is stepping up the development of its pistachio sector
Tim Jackson - Almond Board of Australia:

“The potential for quality downgrades because of the rain becomes much higher”

Kenya focuses on value addition in macadamia, avocado, and blueberries
Volmary GmbH scores with Salomat variety for commercial vegetable production

"Growing demand for peanut plants in the DACH region"

U.S. pistachio shipments increase as kernel inventory declines

Middle East war causes uncertain times for California pistachios

Sector | Packaging and Labelling

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Growing demand for automation is driving upgrades in fruit and vegetable mesh bags

Corrugated cardboard emerges as a logistical alternative to wooden pallets in exports from Costa Rica

“Peaches for Pink” campaign launches for summer stone fruit season
Michael Dossor - Result Group

Packaging benefits from connected approach

Clip packaging technology targets fruit and vegetable applications
AVI Global Plast and Smart Packaging Industries collaborate on new packaging design

"Instead of functioning purely as individual packs, the trays form part of a geometric structure"

Expanded packaging option for avocados combines breathability and brand presence

Sector | Retail

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Food Lion's fourth new store opening in the first quarter of this year

Harps Food Stores announced plans to deploy SmartMeals
La Anónima: Acquisition of 12 hypermarkets and a logistics centre

AWG is celebrating its 100th anniversary
Newest Needler’s location offers a wide selection of fresh produce

AWG expands SmartMeals meal planning and shopping tool to member stores
Amazon and Winn Dixie have expanded their grocery delivery partnership

Hannaford Supermarkets donates record 29mln pounds of food
UNFI plans to close a distribution facility in Racine, Wisconsin - Reports

Grupo Éxito’s 2025 net profit a tenfold increase from 2024
Aldi will transition a handful of Winn-Dixie stores in Central Florida

Harps Food Stores plans to acquire 18 stores
Meijer: 3 new locations are slated to open on May 6

Winn-Dixie banner: 7 Harveys supermarket locations in Florida and South Georgia

Sector | Global Market

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GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GINGER

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW CUCUMBERS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW MANDARINS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW PEARS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GRAPES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW ONIONS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW AVOCADOES

Sector | Climate

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Strawberry crop gains expected from California’s heat wave

Georgia growers relieved following last week’s cold temperatures
Ernst Slabbekoorn, Swift International:

"Reliable night frost protection high on the agenda after recent erratic weather"

North Carolina freeze risk for fruit crops in Henderson County

Catastrophic losses in greenhouses and crops in Souss-Massa, Morocco, plastic shortage

Irrigation infrastructure and crops in main agricultural valleys affected by heavy rains in Peru

Weekend blizzard stymies logistics in Northeast

Sector | Cartoons

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Madhya Pradesh banana farmer protests low prices with half-naked vow

North Korean forest rangers fired for turning tree nurseries into vegetable gardens

TikTok-fueled fruit ice cream craze empties freezers across New Zealand

Cows wearing e-collars help boost potato yields in P.E.I. pilot project

Domino’s seeks Vatican forgiveness for pineapple pizza

Aomori’s ‘designer apples’ turn orchards into art

Fruity overdose: The bold new trend transforming perfumery

Sector | Rwanda

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Rwanda special (last part): Evergreen Holding

"With greenhouse conditions, we can produce strawberries all year round, even for export"
Rwanda special: Kinvest

Canadian capital, Rwandan fields: Building profitable farms with social impact
Rwanda special

Intercropping, outgrowers, and weekly flights: The operations model behind SOO Agro’s growth
Rwanda special: Kumwe Green Farms

"We have a lot to offer to European buyers"
Rwanda special: Virunga Biotech Limited

"We see a strong demand for chilies, ginger, and gherkins"
Rwanda special: Kotwidika

Promising trial for Valencia oranges
Rwanda special: Souk Farms

Rwanda advances steadily on the global fresh produce scene

Sector | Trade War

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U.S. court orders US$165bn tariff refunds as CBP develops CAPE system

Peruvian blueberry exporters have 180 days to claim US$ tariff refunds
Agexport, Guatemala

"Exports to the U.S. continue at 0% tariff after Supreme Court ruling"

Produce industry reacts to Supreme Court tariff ruling

South African agriculture welcomes possible 15% U.S. tariff cut

U.S. farmers divided after Supreme Court overturns Trump tariffs

U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Trump tariffs, new 15% levy announced

Sector | Costa Rica

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Next weeks’ special: Costa Rica