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How smart conveyance is transforming cherry lines

Early start to California stone fruit season

What lies ahead for growth at Port Houston?

Scaling integrated tri-country greenhouse network for consistent year-round supply

Demand outpacing supply for Baby Romaine Hearts

Suraj Thakrar and Suraj Thakrar, Jalaram Fruit:

"Pineapple prices have risen by about 30% over the past year"

Driscoll’s appoints new vice president, public affairs

Jenna Schulte joins Offshoot Brands

Minions-inspired snacks, salads and vegetable kits unveiled

Alberta vegetable plant closure impacts workers and growers

Sector | Vegetables

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Sener Akdem of ILAPAK Packaging Machinery GmbH:

"Automated carrot packaging improves quality while reducing operating costs"
Christelle Guyonvarch, Bejo

"Resistance to Bremia is one of the main strengths of our lettuce range"

India develops pink oyster mushroom with 20–25 day cycle

New Street Corn Sides launches
The new green kabochas by Levantia Seed: Bombonera and Amamy

“Improved quality and adaptability for the pumpkin supply chain”
Max Marinello of the Engrosmarkt Zurich:

"Many top chefs in the region are German and specifically ask for products from their home regions"

Demand inconsistent for Brazilian young ginger

Sector | Bananas

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Non-browning banana approved in Japan and Brazil

Cameroon deploys trainees to strengthen plantain value chain
95% of India’s banana shipments stay closed for over a month

“Even after the ceasefire announcement, freight rates have gone up, not down”
Joe Manariti - Premier Fresh Australia

Diversity helps banana producer survive cyclone damage
Searching for genetic gold: How Yelloway and Chiquita are tackling a global threat

"We want to develop new varieties that diversify production and address those threats"

Belize banana output rises while citrus declines in Q4 2025

Jamaican banana recovery under way as TR4 threat grows

Sector | Potatoes and Onions

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Jamaican onion growers face losses as imports overlap harvest

San Luis Valley potato oversupply raises storage concerns

Walla Walla onion growers approve marketing order continuation

Individually wrapped, microwave-ready potatoes drive convenience

Rising prices in Brazil create opportunities for Argentine onions

Onion Tech Alliance partnership delivers automated Washington facility

Canadian potato sector faces rising costs and export competition

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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South African pomegranate season underway at Prime Fruit Partners

"Global demand for pomegranates continues to grow steadily"

Peruvian Hass avocado exports to increase by 6% in 2026 after a record year
Ian Turk - New Zealand Persimmon Industry Council

Cautious optimism for NZ persimmons

Reflecting on ten years of avocado evolution

Mexican mango exports to U.S. set to exceed 350,000 tons

"Low yields make it crucial to spot real Alphonso mangoes from fake ones this season"

The Kenyan avocado export campaign is moving forward under difficult conditions

Sector | Company news

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Nominations open for The Unseen Hero Award 2026

California Del Monte cannery closes

US–Dutch horticulture ties strengthened during Royal visit to the US

Pro Citrus Network & Foremost Fresh Direct announce leadership transition
UNS Vertical Farms opens 10,000-square-metre tomato facility in Al Ain

"Food security today is about building a resilient, sustainable, and future-ready UAE food ecosystem"

Strong growth and global advocacy reported at CPMA's annual meeting
Advancing mango category innovation

Sun World International and Mission Produce announce collaboration

Sector | Greenhouse

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Plastic film shortage delays post-storm reconstruction

Greenhouse builders in Souss Massa under strain

Celebrating flavor with a new cherry tomato medley
"Monitoring and control can be done from Korea"

Korean smart farm technology drives hydroponic strawberry production in Uzbekistan

Organic English seedless cucumber supply picking up

New tomato facility in Al Ain designed to grow 150,000 kg tomatoes annually

New shareholders for SweetPoint

Easter signifies the start of microgreens and edible flower seasons

Sector | Logistics

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Global freight rates rise as fuel costs and capacity tighten

Inland logistics capacity expands in southern Brazil

MSC transfers ownership to next generation of Aponte family

Intra-Asia Container Index falls 3% to US$839 per 40 ft container

Global air freight disrupted as capacity tightens and rates rise

Egypt ends Suez Canal discount for large containerships

India's cold chain for fresh produce starts connecting the dots

Sector | Machinery

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Flikweert Vision introduces upgraded QualityGrader with higher capacity and AI-driven sorting

New generation of sorting machines for potatoes and onions

Global demand supports shipments of aril extraction and potato sorting systems

AI-powered 4C optical sorter introduced for nuts and IQF processing
Norman Nieder-Heitmann – Gossamer:

"The constraint in most packhouses isn't people, it's flow"

"Growing interest in blueberry sorting machines is not random; it reflects global trends"
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”

Sector | General fresh produce

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Wim Kleinjan, Fruity Pack:

“Product reliability and growth via supply chain optimization”
MultiWeigh GmbH celebrates its 25th anniversary:

"Traditional multi-head weighers for fruits and vegetables are increasingly being customized"

Global produce prices rise as input costs and supply chains tighten

Taiwan shifts exports away from China as import suspensions persist

Canadian food prices pressured by higher fuel and fertilizer costs

U.S. announces $275 million in specialty crop funding for FY2026

India aims to cut fruit imports and focus on horticulture exports

Sector | Management

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Oil prices fall after US-Iran's conditional two-week ceasefire agreement

U.S. budget proposes 20% cut to USDA spending

Texas establishes Mexican fruit fly quarantine in Zapata County

CBP seizes $17.7 million meth hidden in blackberry shipment

U.S. farmers face water shortfall as Mexico misses treaty targets

WTO talks stall as Brazil blocks e-commerce moratorium extension

California names March 31 Farmworkers Day

Sector | Miscellaneous

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Global economic growth outlook weakens as energy shock hits

Currency markets react to U.S.-Iran ceasefire uncertainty

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

Sector | Fruit

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VBT figures week 15:

Tomato prices remain above €2 per kilo

Californian cherry growers monitor rain cracking risk during harvest

Flooded orchards in northwest Michigan delay disease control

Texas strawberry season recovers after slow start

Envy apples surpass NZD $1 billion in global retail sales

"As know-how spreads, zero-chill varieties crack India’s blueberry market open”

"Heavy and persistent rainfall created several challenges early on for strawberry season"

Sector | Herbs

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Aromatic and medicinal plants production in Morocco recovers from prolonged drought
Tom Amery - The Watercress Company:

"We are very proud that for the last 25 years we have not used any pesticides on our beds"

Demand jumps in 2026 for fresh herbs
Herb merchant Ahmed Bouklata on the current market situation:

"Year after year, we offer more cut herbs of Italian origin"

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

Sector | Agenda

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Baldor BITE 2026 line up announced

Hort Connections 2026 to take place in Adelaide in June

Full program announced for Fresh Produce India
Key takeaways from ChangeNOW Paris and Chapter Zero by Fatiha Charrat, Delassus

Agriculture cannot escape its paradox: both responsible and exposed
We will be back Tuesday 7th of April

Happy Easter from the FreshPlaza team
Photo report of Fruit Attraction São Paulo

Fruit Attraction São Paulo reinforces its position as a major event in the fruit trade industry
Including the photo report

Fruit Attraction São Paulo trade fair ends with less activity, but positive results for Brazil

Sector | Citrus

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Underwhelming campaign for Egyptian orange exports to Asia

South African lemon exports to the Middle East continue at slower pace

U.S. sets new definition for seedless lemons in grading standards

Last call for Greek lemons

Early start for Argentinian organic lemon crop

Brazilian orange crop reaches 292.94 million boxes

Port terminals prepare for 2026 South Africa citrus exports

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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AI system helps mushroom growers with crop monitoring and harvest prediction
Siddharth Jadhav - Polybee:

“We can tell growers exactly when to harvest for maximum in-spec yield"
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

Sector | Innovations

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USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Charleston, South Carolina

“From tissue culture to field trials, container farms allow us to control every step of plant development”
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

Sector | Processed fruit and vegetables

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New ZERO line meets consumer needs for food attributes
AFHORFRESH

The global geopolitical landscape has raised production costs for prepared fruits and vegetables by 5%
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

Sector | Cooling

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Airclima expands in the fresh produce sector with refrigeration projects

"Cooling quality has a direct impact on product quality"
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

Sector | Food safety

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Canada recalls Fresh Start Foods salads over Listeria risk

Canada recalls Freshprep cucumber dill salad over Listeria risk

U.S. cucumber Salmonella outbreaks hit 69 cases in 2025,

U.S. recalls peeled garlic over botulism risk in three states

U.S. Tops recalls peeled garlic over storage temperature issue

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

Canada recalls macadamia nut products over Salmonella risk

Sector | Nuts and dried fruits

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Pistachio prices reach eight-year high on supply constraints

U.S. almond shipments reach 117,028 tons in March

Australian macadamia program targets Asian markets

U.S. pecan receipts fall 35% to 23.45 million kg in February

U.S. pistachio sector faces heat, water, and market pressures

South African nut exports rise 13.3% as global demand grows

"Dried mangoes have a strong potential in the European market"

Sector | Packaging and Labelling

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Reusable packaging supports cost control and compliance

A new packaging approach for leafy greens is being tested

Brand refresh debuting at Viva Fresh Expo

Supply security drives packaging decisions in Egypt’s table grape export season

“With the right ecosystem, pomegranate aril exports become a more predictable proposition”

American Dream program expands in honor of America’s 250th anniversary

EU exempts wooden pallets from PPWR reuse requirements

Sector | Retail

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Amazon and Winn-Dixie have greatly expanded their grocery delivery partnership

Acquisition of Instaleap by Instacart
New York City mayor announced location of city’s first publicly owned supermarket

Walmart No. 1 spot on NRF’s 2026 Top 50 Global Retailers list
Hannaford Supermarkets has named Tony Giunta Store Manager of the Year

Kowalski’s Markets has deployed EmpowerFresh’s AI-powered produce inventory
Instacart: A leading provider of fresh produce is partnering with Instacart Business

Empire has entered into an agreement to acquire Mayrand Food Group
Flashfood is now available at all 100+ Kroger stores in the Mid-Atlantic Division

FreshCo is launching in Atlantic Canada
DC 7088 Mississauga named Walmart Canada’s Facility of the Year

Northeast Grocery customers can now use SNAP/EBT for DoorDash

Walmart invests in Mexico and expands its distribution centre in Chile

Sector | Global Market

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GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW STRAWBERRIES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW LIMES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW BELL PEPPERS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GINGER

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW CUCUMBERS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW MANDARINS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW PEARS

Sector | Climate

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South Texas growers await word on Mexico’s water deliveries

Florida growers seek federal support after prolonged freeze

Possible El Niño returns raise concerns in Ecuador

U.S. grower tests drone use for frost protection in orchards

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"

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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New Zealand exporters assess U.S. tariff refunds after court ruling

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

Sector | Costa Rica

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Costa Rica special: Pineapple grower Fertinyc

"One extra week of shelf life thanks to our organic treatments and biofertilizers"
Costa Rica special: Cassava exporter The Golden Products

Drone technology, a five-year soil transformation and navigating wax regulations
Costa Rica special

Corbana takes a fresh look at how it tells the Costa Rican banana story
Costa Rica special: Upala Agrícola

"Demand for crownless pineapple, which now accounts for 15% of our exports, still grows"
Costa Rica special: Grupo San Alberto, banana producer

“If you can't win on size, win on smarts”
Costa Rica special: CERyT

Costa Rican cassava exporters join forces to conquer the global market
Costa Rica special: Green Life

"Smaller than most, the Pococí papaya variety makes up for it in flavour"