Tomato prices fall furthest in the Netherlands in May

As expected, tomato prices continued to drop in May. Nevertheless, the prices are still above average. In the Netherlands, the prices decreased more than average. In Spain, however, prices fell slightly less. A new update of the European Commission's tomato dashboard shows that in both countries, a…

"Demand that government open roads, if they do not it is likely that 40% of Ecuador's bananas will not be exported”

The ongoing, two week long, mass protest action in the leading banana exporting country, Ecuador, is placing over 40% of the remaining export volume at major risk for the already strained industry. "The first week of losses already amount to over $20 million dollars, with this week’s losses not even…

"I never expected onions to become the main part of my business"

"Dutch onions are in good demand in Germany," says Jaap van Dijk, of Más Frutas. For more than half a year, this experienced trader has been working to find high quality products that his, mostly German, relations need. While he is mainly specialized in exclusive products, Jaap says that 'traditional'…

"The production potential of exotics in areas such as Palomares, in Almeria, is impressive"

In addition to the wide range of vegetables and fruits produced in Almeria, which have turned the province into the Andalusian leader in agri-food exports, there is a range of exotic products that, with increasing prominence, are sharing space in the campaign with the traditional supply. Pitahaya and…

Durian supply from Malaysia to Singapore has grown this season

Singapore has seen an abundant supply of durians from Malaysia, which has led to lower prices this season. This came as a surprise, after projections last month indicated that…

Good progress towards year-round supply of avocados

Camposol’s avocado season is in full swing. Following the expansion of its avocado production in Colombia as a complement to the operations in Peru, the company is now…

Oppy welcomes back category director of greenhouse

With more than 22 years of experience in the industry, Kevin Batt returns to Oppy as its category director of the greenhouse after over a decade. From 2002 to 2010, Batt helped shape Oppy’s greenhouse program from ground zero. Now, nearly 12 years later, he is back in the driver’s seat after honing his…

Syngenta announces Eric Boeck as new Head of North America Seeds business

Syngenta announced the appointment of Eric Boeck as Regional Director, North America Seeds, responsible for leading the field crops strategy for the region. Boeck most…

Driscoll's agrees to terms for acquisition of Berry Gardens

Driscoll's has formally agreed to the terms to buy Berry Gardens Limited, the sales, packaging, and distribution arm of Berry Gardens Growers Limited.  Driscoll's, the global market leader of fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, and Berry Gardens Growers Limited (BGG), the UK's largest…

Canadian greens distributor launches new salad kit line

The Star Group’s Inspired Greens, a Canadian living lettuce brand, is set for an early July launch of a line of side salads. Five new salads will be available in kits that include a base of Inspired Greens lettuce complemented by house-made dressings, vegetables, dairy, protein, and other toppings in a…

Continued decrease in ocean freight spot rates is positive measure to curb inflation

With demand cooling from both the consumer and retailer segments, ocean freight spot rates between China and North America are seeing new lows. “Ocean freight spot rates continue to drop fast. The SHIFEX index shows China to the U.S. West Coast has gone below $7,000 per FEU while China to the U.S. East…

COVID, lockdowns and the impacts in China today

While the world began reopening in early 2022, one country still maintains many pandemic policies and travel restrictions. Vanguard connected with the head of its Shanghai office, Timothy Li, to chat about China’s COVID lockdowns and how these are impacting the produce industry in Asia. Q: We are over…

“As well as real-time temperature monitoring, we can also access historical shipment data for our clients"

Data analytics are becoming a must when shipping produce, it is essential for exporters to be able to track their containers and monitor handling conditions through the supply chain. Tracknact has been offering an analytics platform to companies for two years, the data is taken from on-board trackers and…

Samskip and Ocean Infinity secure over US$15 million funding for SeaShuttle project

Multimodal transport and logistics group Samskip and marine robotics specialist Ocean Infinity have secured €15 million (US$15.8 million) in funding from Norwegian state enterprise ENOVA for their project to build two hydrogen-powered, remotely controlled and autonomous-ready container ships for delivery…

First shipment of robotic utility carts for the table grape industry

Precision Graphics, Inc. of Snow Hill made their first shipment of Automated Robotic Utility Carts for the Table Grape Industry in California on June 20, 2022.  The Robotic Carts are programmed to follow the Grape Picker through the vineyard and when the grape bin is full it takes the grapes to the processing…

“It’s about creating connections – connecting good people with good prices and good, wholesome produce”

Since inception in 2003, Star South has grown from South African wholesaler in the fruit market to a business that today covers retail, wholesale, and processing sectors across the globe. They serve a diverse range of international clients and boast an extensive portfolio of fresh produce. And this means…

Megadrought in California leads some to rely on dowsing

On June 1, water restrictions officially began for many people in Southern California. It is an effort to mitigate the effects of a megadrought. Overall, the last two decades…

Labor's changes to PALM scheme may not solely address ag workforce issues, according to Minister

Australia's newly sworn-in Agriculture Minister has admitted that the Federal Government's policy position on extending the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme may not meet all of the nation's horticulture workforce needs on its own. The Labor Party took office last month and one of its…

Experts fear new spread of spotted lanternfly throughout US

In a study, published in Nature magazine early this month, there were some worrying predictions on the spread of Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) across the USA. SLF was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014 and has since spread to 11 surrounding states. The report states that if SLF spread was left unmitigated…

Import and export of fresh apples in May 2022

In May 2022, China exported 43,400 tons of fresh apples with an export value of US$59 million and an average unit price of US$1357.7/ton. Year-on-year (May 2021): The export…

The arrival of American cherries increases, and the price is high due to the decrease in production

In the past few days, a small number of American cherries have arrived at the Jiaxing Fruit Market, mainly through the wholesale market and into the retail channel. As early…

A company built from family

It was nearly 16 years ago when the Divine Flavor company formed and the first shipments of produce were sent to supermarkets. The year was 2006 when CEO of Grupo Alta, Alan Aguirre, and Carlos Bon, then-sales manager, joined forces with Pedro Batiz to create a brand that would eventually go on to be known as a grower/shipper…

Organic coating enhances ability of cherries to counter fruit flies

Western cherry fruit flies are a big problem for fruit growers. One remedy against their effect may be a slippery organic coating that prevents the female western cherry fruit…

Ongoing 2021/22 apple crop for EU27 estimated at 11,777 tons

The ongoing 2021/22 crop for EU27 has been estimated at 11,777 tons [Jan ‘22 update]; this is 6,7% higher than the preceding 5 year average and 11 % above the 'small' crop of the past marketing year (data from WAPA for 20 MSs, from Eurostat for the remaining 7 MSs). After two years of below average crop volumes and…

Stronger supplies of California organic basil in 2022

Supplies of organic basil are greater this year. Jacobs Farm del Cabo has been steadily building a stronger basil supply each year, and this year will have more available than last year.  At Jacobs Farm del Cabo, basil is grown in Watsonville, California, year-round. “Our basil supply is plentiful and local…

Who’s Who at IFPA Foodservice 2022

International Fresh Produce Association’s Foodservice Conference is coming up on July 28-29 in Monterey, California. It is a “can’t miss” event for produce and foodservice and…

Differing expectations of start date of new cold treatment for Southern African oranges

South African orange exporters will start loading out oranges to Europe under the new cold regime by approximately 14 July 2022, South African industry sources have indicated. The European Commission's interpretation is that the new policy comes into effect within three days of publication in the…

USDA

Turkish citrus production up, profit margins down

Turkey’s citrus production for MY 2021/22 is forecast to be up year-over-year in large part due to improved weather conditions compared to the previous year’s hot weather. While production is up, growers are seeing profit margins shrink as input costs, such as fuel and fertilizer, increase at a faster…

Impact of cold sterilization requirements on organic South African oranges

The European Commission has adopted a regulation which forces South Africa and it’s neighbouring countries to a very strict cold sterilization regime for oranges prior to and during transportation. This decision has far-reaching consequences for the organic growers where OTC Organics, organic distributor…

Clean Eating Challenge recap and a call for participants

This year, 11 participants completed the third annual Viva Fresh Clean Eating Challenge which culminated at the Viva Fresh Expo last month. Since 2020, participants have challenged themselves to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their routines. As a welcome bonus, participants have lost more…

The Australian digital harvesting solution's yielding has improved productivity from pre-commercial trials

An Australian ag-tech solutions company is already receiving international interest for its innovative technology, which it says has huge productivity benefits for fruit and vegetable growers in getting the most out of their workers, especially since new legislative changes were recently introduced. The…

Eco-solutions for a concrete circular economy

The latest market research highlights how, when choosing what to buy, in everyday life, besides the product quality (which remains a constant at the top), a new variable has entered the game: the environmental impact of the product and of its packaging and the negative effects that they will have on the…

Chipotle tests Mexican cauliflower rice

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced it is piloting Mexican Cauliflower Rice at 60 restaurants in Arizona, Southern California, and Wisconsin for a limited time. The company's…

The delicate work of keeping herbs cold

Keeping the cold chain intact is always critical when transporting produce. But it may be particularly more important in moving herbs. “Herbs are a highly perishable item with a very short life. The way you manage the cold chain directly impacts the quality and shelf life of the herb,” says Grego…

Canada: Alasko brand IQF Whole Raspberries recalled due to norovirus

The Alasko brand IQF Whole Raspberries are being recalled due to norovirus contamination. The Product is concerning 'IQF Whole Raspberries' The issue is Microbial…

The apple chip product tackling food waste and encouraging healthy snacking

A Victorian food manufacturing company is helping to bring a healthy diet and also reduce fresh produce waste, with its product Chippy Apples. Managing Director of Pipan Foods, Phil Gomizel’s background is in food manufacturing, and he says it is marketed towards families, with the main driver being…

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Tessara’s Berrisys Fast is quick to unlock the potential of raspberries and blackberries

In response to requests from raspberry and blackberry growers, Tessara has developed Berrisys Fast, a fully recyclable sulphur dioxide-generating sheet, with only a fast release layer, activated at high relative humidity in order to protect these most delicate of fruit.Blueberries are climacteric fruit…

New climate research shows that ‘clean eating’ is more complicated than we thought

For a while now, climate-conscious consumers have embraced plant-based diets as a way to avoid the emissions-heavy meat industry. However, new research suggests a low-carbon…