VerticalFarmDaily.com

Vertically cultivated mushrooms are blossoming in Brussels’ cellars

“Once the summer break is over, our 10 growing rooms, consisting of 1000m2 in total, will be fully occupied and deliver 1000kg of mushrooms a month in total for 4000kg coffee grounds recycled,” says Julie Jacqmain, Production and communication manager at Permafungi. “About four rooms are in use now, as…

Fyffes first to receive new rainforest alliance certification

Fyffes banana farm Esmeralda, in Costa Rica, is the first in the world to receive the new Rainforest Alliance certification, version 2020, which deploys a radically new management system approach to environmental, labor, social and economic risks. Following many years of successful collaboration,…

"Sweet potato market growing mainly in the processing sector"

Steven Ceccarelli is the owner of Farm Fresh Produce in North Carolina, USA. Eighteen months ago, he approached Pablo Fitskie. Would Pablo be interested in running the company's European sales office? Now, Farm Fresh Produce CC has its own premises. That is in the Netherlands and it has machinery and…

South African kiwi industry gets organised ahead of growth

“It’s an exciting new crop in South Africa and it definitely has the ability to produce good returns, but we’re still learning a lot. It’s not an established industry, and there’s still risk that we’re learning to handle,” explains Jonathan Trusler, chair of the South African Kiwi Growers’ Association…

Drop in avo prices, but orchards in high demand

Fund manager Gunn Agri Partners is among the investors betting on a rebound in avocado prices in the coming years, after snapping up more than $15 million worth of orchards in…

"Over time South African farmers could outperform Israel"

A webinar hosted by the Israeli Trade Mission and the Israel Export Institute presented Israeli agricultural technology currently available and applicable to crop production…

Who grows better: farmers or algorithms?

The Netherlands is committed to sharing agricultural technology and supporting the development of sustainable horticulture in China. After all, the two countries have excellent ties and share similar ambitions and challenges, according to Wouter Verhey, agriculture counselor at the Dutch embassy in…

Bayer commits to increasing global fruit and vegetable consumption

Bayer says it will deliver tailored solutions to the farm, advance sustainable innovations on the farm and address value chain and consumer needs beyond the farm. In July, the…

Photo report Horti China: Market for high-end greenhouse crops has great potential

Last week the 2021 Horti China exhibition took place. The show was combined with many events such as the large-scale Venlo Greenhouse Operation Seminar, the Kingpeng Interactive Greenhouse Salon, the Dutch Protected Greenhouse Technology Forum, and the 2021 Plant Factory Trial Production Technology…

Delays at ports continue as volumes increase

There have many reports on massive congestion problems at West Coast containership ports that's causing store shelves to go wanting to seasonal imported goods. Ron Fisher owns…

Crate loading robot for fresh produce wins robotic and Automation award

Brillopak’s UniPAKer crate loading robot for fresh produce, meat, fish, and ready meals factories has won the Food Processing Robotics and Automation Award at a prestigious live event hosted by comedian Patrick Monaghan at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Coventry, on 9th September. The judging panel…

Photo report Organic Produce Summit

Last week, the Organic Produce Summit was held in person at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Monterey, California. An article about the event was published last Friday. Traditionally, the event is closed with a trade show that takes place on the last afternoon of the two-day event. Just like previous years,…

Britain’s fruit and veg farmers cut 2022 planting after widespread waste

British fruit and vegetable growers are cutting planting in 2022 after an unprecedented labor shortage led to widespread waste of produce and hundreds of tonnes of crops, from broccoli to raspberries, rotted in the fields.  Farmers say the Pilot visa scheme Introduced to accept seasonal workers after Brexit…

EU maintains its leading position in global agri-food trade

2020 showed a notable improvement in the EU's leading position among the world's largest exporters of agri-food goods and products. On the import side, the EU has become the…

Transportation delays impacting national and global supply

Transportation delays continue to adversely impact the national and global supply distribution chains, both at the ports of entry and at points of distribution. Although no…

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Fruit, vegetables and exercise can make you happier

New research led by the University of Kent and University of Reading has found that fruit and vegetable consumption and exercise can increase levels of happiness. While the link between lifestyle and wellbeing has been previously documented and often used in public health campaigns to encourage healthier…

Taiwan’s FM condemns ‘hostile’ fruit import ban from China

Taiwan’s foreign minister said Sunday that a new tropical fruit import ban by China was a “hostile move”, amid souring relations between the two governments. Chinese customs…

Hungary: A new pest can cause terrible devastation to orchards

The insect species Drosophilia suzukii, commonly known as spotted wing drosophilia, is a new insect species that first popped up in Hungary in 2012. This invasive insect is…

Israeli tech company to supply irrigation systems to Ethiopia

Water Ways Technologies has won a contract worth almost $297,000 for smart irrigation and drip systems in Ethiopia. The Israeli agro-technology company will install its…

Arizona welcomes sizable organic apple crop for 2021

The supplies of organic apples from Arizona this season have bounced back to a bumper crop over last year. “We had a really good start this year with Arizona apples,” says Alejandro Madrigal of Covilli Brand Organics Inc. based in Nogales, AZ. “We haven’t had any issues with people getting sick because…

The 6th International Berry Congress' conclusion: a common challenge towards sustainability

The sixth edition of the International Berry Congress ended and it made it clear that sustainability and the environment are key to the future development of the sector, as was made evident by the event's different conferences and the closing remarks made by the manager of Freshuelva, Rafael Dominguez…

Incorporating post-harvest technology to table grapes

Hazel Technologies, Inc. announced a partnership with Jasmine Vineyards, a San Joaquin Valley-based table grape grower-packer-shipper of more than a dozen different varieties of grapes. Jasmine Vineyards plans to integrate Hazel® products across its grape portfolio to extend grape shelf life throughout…

Serbia: Apple harvest starting in coming weeks

This year, Serbia expects an apple harvest of between 530 and 540 thousand tons. Generally, there will be many more apples on the global market this year. Agriculture Fair in…

World peach and nectarine production for 2021/22 is forecast to edge up slightly to 21.8 million MT

World peach and nectarine production for 2021/22 is forecast to edge up slightly to 21.8 million metric tons (tons) as China supplies recover from last year’s weather‐related losses, more than offsetting weather‐related losses in the European Union and Turkey. Exports areprojected lower as reduced…

Russia sharply increased imports of watermelon from Uzbekistan and Turkey, setting a new record

In 2021 Russia could be definitely setting a new record for watermelon imports. With several months still left till the end of the year, the record has already been set – as…

Mexico meets 77% of the domestic demand for apples

Apple farming in Mexico is regionally important, especially in areas where few other commercial crops grow. The main reason is that apples grow well in the high, cold and very…

Buurma Farms Inc. recalls plain (Flat) parsley due to possible health risks

Buurma Farms Inc. of Willard, OH, is voluntarily recalling 320 boxes of its Plain Parsley after testing showed possible contamination with Shiga-toxin producing E.coli. The product being recalled is Buurma Plain (flat leaf) Parsley with a harvest date of August 30, 2021 from their Gregory, Michigan…

Keynote speaker for United Fresh Washington Conference announced

USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt will be the keynote speaker for tomorrow morning’s opening general session breakfast, September…

PMA cancels Fresh Summit

The Produce Marketing Association has announced that PMA Fresh Summit will be canceled. The event was supposed to be held in New Orleans from October 28-30, 2021. “I had hoped to bring everyone…

Greater demand likely for Florida citrus this season

The Florida citrus crop this season isn’t likely to see significant growth in volumes. But growers and shippers are readying for strengthened demand. “The big thing this year will be the impact of Texas from last season with their freeze. Some growers may be completely out while others will be short--but…

"Far fewer Spanish mandarins this year"

The Spanish stone fruit season went well at de Groot fruit & vegetables. It is nearing its end now. This Dutch wholesaler is presently preparing for the new Spanish citrus and persimmon season. "We had a good stone fruit season. Supply was lower. So, the average peach and nectarine prices were…

South Africa terminates Valencia & lemon inspections for EU export

This past Saturday, 18 September, was the last day that Valencias and lemons from South Africa’s summer rainfall citrus black spot (CBS) regions were inspected by officials from the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) for export to the European Union.Citrus black spot interceptions on South…

Organic apple and pear distribution increases

Honeybear Brands kicked off its organic apple and pear harvest last month and expects to complete domestic harvest in October. As more of its organic trees come into production this season, Honeybear will have a significantly larger domestic organic crop. Organic Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fujis,…

Prescribing tomatoes and carrots could help some Americans eat better

Audrey Oliver knows the difference between a store-bought tomato and one fresh from the farm. Nowadays, the fresh ones show up on her doorstep every other week. That’s because…

Tosca launches comprehensive supply chain IoT service - Asset IQ

Tosca, a global company in reusable container and pallet pooling for supply chains, announced that it has added a comprehensive IoT service called Asset IQ to its broad portfolio of reusable assets. Tosca Asset IQ is supply chain IoT that delivers critical data and insights about supply chain…

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AI technology gaining popularity in China

Intelligent agricultural machinery is now seen in farmlands across China. With the in-depth integration of AI into agriculture, farm work is becoming increasingly intelligent and more efficient, while agricultural production modes grow more effective. In Zhaoxian county, north China’s Hebei province, two…

McDonalds starts offering plant-based burger in the UK and Ireland

McDonald’s UK&I has announced a trial for its first ever plant-based burger – the McPlant – which delivers the same taste and experience one would expect from a McDonald’s…

Cool Logistics Global 2021: full agenda announced

The Cool Logistics Global Conference and Exhibition have released the Agenda for the 13th edition - the only international event this year for the perishables trade, cold…

Jongilpoom brand Enoki Mushroom recalled due to Listeria

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled the Jongilpoom brand Enoki Mushrooms due to Listeria monocytogenes. The product was recalled on September 16, 2021 Covic…

2.7% increase in walnut production, exports 150,000 MT

Post estimates 152,000 MT of walnut production for MY2021/22, a 2.7 percent increase over MY2020/21 following an increase in planted area. Walnut exports are estimated at 150,000 MT in-shell basis, which represents a 3.4 percent increase over MY2020/21. Export estimates assume resolution of the logistical…

Fruit shipper implements Material Recyclability Index

Copefrut, a Chilean company, has developed a Material Recyclability Index, a measure that seeks to understand the capacity of packaging to be integrated into recycling flows. “This quantifies the recyclability of packaging, considering not only what type of materials are being used, but also how they…

Storm destroys agricultural infrastructure and citrus and vegetable crops in the north of Castellon

Ava-Asaja warned that the storm that hit the Region of Valencia, which brought torrential rains, lightning and strong wind gusts, has caused localized damage to the agricultural sector, especially in the Castellon region of Baix Maestrat and in the northern part of the term of Vinaròs, bordering Alcanar,…