Monday, September 16, 2019

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Melogold grower eyes domestic market for its grapefruit

One grower is looking to introduce a popular exporting grapefruit into the domestic market. “We grow a melogold grapefruit which is a hybrid,” says James Wilson of Sequoia Enterprises, Inc. in Exeter, Ca. “It’s a big piece of fruit that normally goes to Japan or Korea and it hasn’t taken off domestically…

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Video: Greenhouse hit by a tropical storm

It was a serious tropical storm that hit the Culiacán region in Mexico at the end of August. With severe rain and wind the retractable greenhouse was attacked quite heavily - but it held up. "The reinforced polyethylene roof coverings can't blow off since they are suspended below stainless steel wires", the…

California kiwis get off to a later start this year

The California kiwi season is likely to begin in the first week of October. “This start is about four to five days later than last season and about eight to 10 days later than two years ago,” says Chris Kragie of Madera, Ca.-based Western Fresh Marketing. This means for now, Western Fresh will continue…

USApple’s Bair urges USMCA passage at trade press event

USApple President & CEO Jim Bair spoke at a press conference in Washington, D.C. last week, to urge Congress to pass the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA). The event took place at the International Trade Center during the final stop of the Farmers for Free Trade motorcade tour, which has…

Products recalled after spinach found to be potentially contaminated with E. coli

Urban Remedy, a California-based producer and retailer of ultra-fresh, organic meals, is voluntarily recalling 76 salads and wraps that contain spinach that may be contaminated with E. coli. Seventy-six salads and wraps are still unaccounted for. No juices or any other products are being recalled. “In an…

James Paul joins California asparagus importer

Crystal Valley Foods has announced that James Paul has joined the sales team and will handle sales for the entire product line, including asparagus. Prior to Crystal Valley he…

Drought in Dominican Republic: Losses to banana growers as high as US$500K weekly

With losses as high as US$500,000 per week, the banana producers of the Dominican Republic are hit extremely hard by the recent drought. This situation has caused producers to…

Mariska de Zoete of Fruca: "Our homes and cars are completely flooded"

Clearing the rubble in Spain after the severe weather; leafy vegetable shortages a sure thing in the winter"

Last week, the Southeastern parts of Spain were pummeled by unusually heavy rain and floods. The severe weather claimed at least six lives. An estimated 3,500 people have lost their homes due to the floods. A Dutch national is also missing. The 66-year-old man fell victim to the weather in the Spanish…

US representative urges Perdue to include fresh potatoes in US-Japan trade talks

Republican representative Dan Newhouse  has sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, urging the consideration of open market access for US fresh potatoes in Japan…

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Global Focus
Global Focus Potatoes and Onions

Prices come back down on onions

Domestic onion supplies are building as harvest gets underway. “We’re just harvesting our fall storage crop so right now we have good supplies. They’re going into our storage building through to March and into April,” says Jessica Peri of Peri & Sons Farms in Yerington, Nev., noting that harvest began on time in mid-August.…

Anders Eriksson from L.E.V. potato packing:

“It's a good time for potatoes”

Last year’s heat wave had disastrous effects on potato harvests throughout Europe, resulting in extremely low yields. With this year’s harvest just around the corner in Sweden, though, the predicted yields are looking good. Anders Eriksson from Swedish potato packing company L.E.V. says: “This year we had a good summer with a…

European potato yield predicted to be 3% above average

The NEPG (North-Western European Potato Growers) estimates the forecast potato harvest 2019 between 27 and 27,3 million tons for the 5 leading potato countries. This is 3% more than the 5 years average and 12% more than last year. At this stage, the estimations are mainly based upon trial digs.…

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Europe

Largest Australian biofuel plant to supply energy to new Katunga Fresh greenhouse

Space is not an issue for the Australian greenhouse growers with Katunga Fresh. Neither is the quality of the tomatoes being produced, labor, or the demand for the product in the Australian market. It’s the energy supply that was limiting the company’s growth: it was expensive and too low in…

Agroplant

First seeding material sent to Vietnam

The first seeding materials of 2019 have already been shipped to the earliest export destinations in Vietnam. The seeding material of the early variety Actrice was ready to be prepared for export. Jeroen Kuin of Agroplant Vietnam is a relatively new market for Agroplant Holland but see plenty of growing opportunities…

Low prices for Angeleno plums

Storage units are filled with plums that accumulate leading to low prices, although the harvesting of the Angeleno variety started less than a week ago.  "I've been growing plums for the past 23 years, yet I cannot remember such a bad year. Of course there have been low prices in the past, but not as bad as they are now," explains…

Uwe Sakowski, Josef Stapf Großmarkt LLC:

"Demand for German table grapes is high in southern Germany"

It is peak season for grapes in Europe. Although Germany is traditionally more involved in wine growing, plots are also reserved for table grapes in southern Germany, which will end up in the assortment of Josef Stapf Großmarkt at the Frankfurter Frischezentrum. Managing Director Uwe Sakowski says: "We have…

"We can grow berries from May until end of October"

Educational campaign to promote Polish fruit

A promotional campaign for Polish berry fruit is now underway. It promotes the fact that Polish producers are able to produce from May until the end of October. Blueberries,…

Production will start in September 2021

Aviko to build a new factory in Belgium

The Dutch company, Aviko, is going to build a new factory in Poperinge, Belgium. This facility will be used to produce frozen french fries and potato flakes. Aviko's parent…

Global Producers' Rolf Weber has 1,200 hectares of melons and 285 hectares of mangos in Costa Rica

"We produce purely for programs"

The Dutch company, Global Producers, was started in 1997 when Rolf Weber had the idea that two strong links remain in the chain - the producer and the retailer. "Everyone told me I was crazy to give up my independent trading position," says Global Producers' owner. This company is located in the Dutch town of Venlo. "I was…

Eddy Kreukniet (Exsa Europe) about the South African citrus season:

"Interesting end to the orange season, more competition from Peruvian mandarins, and a stabilizing lemon year"

Every citrus season has its own ups and downs. The current South African season has a tale of its own too. This is according to the Dutch company, Exsa Europe's, Eddy Kreukniet. "We have been seeing crop expectation being adjusted downward the whole season. Sometimes up to 20-25%. This downward trend…

Dori' golden kiwis conquer Australia

During the fourth edition of Dorì Day held in Desenzano del Garda on 12th September, Consorzio Dorì Europe presented its new figures concerning Australia: 500 hectares cultivated so far with another 150 to be set up in 2020.  Click here for the photos. President Giampaolo Dal Pane (Summerfruit) together with…

Good prospects for the kiwifruit market

The 38th Convention of the International Kiwi Organization - IKO (Turin, 8th-10th September 2019) ended on a positive note due to the good market conditions favored by the lower stocks.  "It is an honor for me to preside over this assembly, which is important to assess the kiwifruit segment on a global level.…

Polystyrene packaging suitable for table grapes

"Sintered Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is perfect to store fruit and for grapes in particular, which is very delicate especially during handling and transport. EPS packaging protects grapes and preserves its organoleptic qualities," explains Alessandro Scurria from SCF - Packaging division. Alessandro…

Italy: Low clementine quantities

When it comes to Italian clementines, "production peaked last year, while the level will be minimal this year," reports citrus science specialist, Francesco Perri (in the photo). Volumes were abundant last year, though fruits had small grades. This year, it's the opposite and "some producers will only manage to obtain a few…

Discarding or selling at any price is never the solution

Spain: "It is vital to open channels for non-suitable products"

At a time when Spanish fruit and vegetable producers are trying not to lose their position in European and international markets, opening new channels is an alternative. "Many fruits and vegetables of high nutritional quality and optimal organoleptic qualities are discarded. The European market refuses…

Study on environmental impact of strawberry cultivation in Spain

The Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training Institute (Ifapa) of the Government of Andalusia has carried out a study on the environmental impact of strawberry cultivation, which concludes that the high doses of pesticides applied, the high amount of materials used in the irrigation systems and…

Fashion inspired by local fruit and veg at Malaga Fashion Week

Last Saturday, September 14, The Larios Málaga Fashion Week was the stage for the presentation of the collections of fourteen novel designers from Malaga, who had the chance…

Diplanya GmbH: German kiwi season ends at the end of September

"Pleasing yield with a high proportion of first-class merchandise"

On the German kiwi plantations, workers have been harvesting continuously for over three weeks - 10 days earlier than usual. Charly's Erdbeerhof near Jülich, owned by Duisburg-based trading company Diplanya, is now picking lots of the exotic fruits as well. Despite the heat wave of this summer, everyone is…

Photo report: Visiting the Umbach nursery

"I firmly believe that goji berries will prevail in Germany"

Goji berries and chilis have relatively little to do with each other at first glance, but for Klaus Umbach from the Umbach nursery in Heilbronn, both are a matter of the heart. The commonality here lies, according to Chinese medicine, in the "Qì", the life energy. In addition to ornamental plants with Bioland…

Stella Rasmussen LLC: German trade is much more restrained

"Kenyan exotics and legumes very popular with French wholesale customers"

While the European season for beans and other legumes is slowly coming to an end, the overseas' products are coming on the market. For the specialized importers of these goods, the peak season is now underway. For Stella Rasmussen, the season is almost ready to start as well. Born in Kenya, she founded her own…

Bernd Kugelmann, Pfalzbio:

"Overall decline in demand for courgettes, despite an increase in organic"

In the vegetable growing region of Pfalz, organic farming is rapidly increasing: from last year alone, there was a growth of 20%, both in terms of area and turnover. This is also noticed by Bernd Kugelmann, who cultivates zucchini, pumpkin, celery, leek and lamb's lettuce on 60 hectares of organic farmland…

European potato market (week 37)

France: yields below the multi-year average

European physical markets Price summary (source: NEPG): Belgium Fiwap/PCA market message: Firm markets, offer is still very limited. Final yields for conservation varieties remain uncertain (samples regularly confirm a slow and late growth). The persistent drought makes grubbing difficult (some soils become…

La Tour en Provence: “Our range of organic apples is now available”

“After 4 years of conversion to organic farming, we now offer our clients a range of organic apples of the Gala, Golden, Granny, Braeburn and Club varieties,” explains Lucille Babuel, commercial manager at La Tour en Provence. Specialized in apple growing, the company now sells an organic production. “Our…

Video: Greenhouse hit by a tropical storm

It was a serious tropical storm that hit the Culiacán region in Mexico at the end of August. With severe rain and wind the retractable greenhouse was attacked quite heavily - but it held up. "The reinforced polyethylene roof coverings can't blow off since they are suspended below stainless steel wires", the…

Victoria Beckham eats four avocados a day

45-year- old ex- Spice Girl and designer Victoria Beckham revealed that she tucks into an avocado three or four times a day after reading somewhere that it gives you a ‘glowing’ skin. ‘It’s not about wanting to look younger,’ Posh Spice insisted, backing up the frequent use of a #notperfect hashtag on…

From the 29th to the 30th of October at the Parc des Expositions in Angers:

3rd edition of the International Asparagus Day: The global event for asparagus

Building on the success of the first two years, the International Asparagus Day (IAD), to be held in Angers from October 29th to 30th at the Parc des Expositions this year, will bring together around 100 exhibitors for this 2019 edition; more than 2000 visitors from 30 different countries will be…

Plastic packaging: How are UK supermarkets doing right now?

For many years now, over-packaged food has been bothering environmentally- minded shoppers. Of course, supermarkets have responded by looking for alternatives to all that plastic. But now British MPs are saying that the UK needs to move away from all single-use packaging - not just plastic. Using…

Asset manager Kabouter Management reduces its stake in Greenyard

American asset manager Kabouter Management reduced its stake in Greenyard to 2.9 per cent. Since the total assets of Kabouter in Greenyard have dropped below 3 per cent, the…

New laser technology to achieve prolonged shelf-life

Belmark has partnered with PerfoTec to introduce a system designed to achieve prolonged shelf life and consistent quality of fresh produce; thereby contributing to a reduction in food waste and lower carbon footprint. Belmark says its aim is to take the fresh produce market in the USA to the next level, and…

Aviko to build new factory in Belgium

Dutch-based company Aviko, one of Europe’s biggest producers of fresh, frozen, dried and specialty potato products, announced a major investment in its production capacity in…

Mariska de Zoete of Fruca: "Our homes and cars are completely flooded"

Clearing the rubble in Spain after the severe weather; leafy vegetable shortages a sure thing in the winter"

Last week, the Southeastern parts of Spain were pummeled by unusually heavy rain and floods. The severe weather claimed at least six lives. An estimated 3,500 people have lost their homes due to the floods. A Dutch national is also missing. The 66-year-old man fell victim to the weather in the Spanish…

Research to improve "transparently healthy and sustainable focuses" in Dutch supermarkets

The University of Groningen and Wageningen University & Research have started a research project with almost all supermarkets in the Netherlands. The research, called…

Potato production drops off in Moldova

Sources say that in Moldova, growing potatoes has become completely unprofitable. Sown areas today have decreased by a quarter compared to 2018, and due to the lack of…

Boris Johnson's surprise visit to Doncaster Market

UK PM rejects Belgian strawberries in favour of English plums

PM Boris Johnson dropped into the Corn Exchange and spoke with traders and shoppers on his visit this morning – as well as also topping up on his shopping. During his trip to Doncaster, the Prime Minister told one trader "we're going to get a deal", adding: "That's the plan, anyway. And if we don't,…

Turkish greenhouse growers make a loss due to high input costs

The Greenhouse Investors and Producers Union's (SERA-BIR) Chairman Muslum Yanmaz said that greenhouse productivity decreased from 30 tons per 0,1 hectare to 17 tons. Due to bad weather conditions and high input costs, 120 greenhouse growers made a loss in an area of 1100 hectares. "The majority of our…

Four arrests - investigations ongoing

Greece: More than 500kg of cocaine found in Piraeus

More than 500kg of cocaine was found by Greek authorities in bananas containers at the port of Piraeus. Authorities have seized more than 100 containers with bananas arriving…

New spiral washer has capacities up to 3000 kg/hr

Recently, Sormac launched the spiral washer type SW-80 for capacities up to 3,000 kg/hr. Based on the successful Sormac SW-50, the SW-80 can wash sliced various (non-)floating vegetables such as ice berg, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and many more. Product is washed intensively in the wash tank,…

Oceania

Research under way to strengthen the safety of apple and pear packhouses

Australian apple and pear packhouses have the opportunity help build industry wide knowledge of absolute microbial risks, and a develop a risk assessment model to best manage them. A short survey about current packhouse practices is being conducted by University of Tasmania microbiologist Elizabeth…

New packing and export distribution center to facilitate introduction of new products onto market

In a bid to build more efficient infrastructure and increase production capacity, Australian fresh produce company Montague broke ground on the new packaging and export distribution center in Narre Warren North. The new facility will facilitate the introduction of a range of products onto the Australian…

Research finds breakfast could provide good opportunity for fresh produce industry

New research shows breakfast could provide the greatest opportunity for our fresh produce industry to convince more Kiwis to consume fruit and vegetables. Almost 1000 New…

UK's International Trade Secretary Liz Truss to step up progress

Post-Brexit trade UK-NZ relationship talks

New Zealand’s Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker met with his counterpart on Monday to lay the groundwork for post-Brexit talks. The UK's International Trade Secretary Liz Truss says she wants to ensure "rapid" trade talks with New Zealand after Brexit. The bilateral follows their July meeting…

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