Due to violent weather changes, Greek growers lost about 60% of their apple harvest

The apple cultivation in Greece is expected to be lower than usual, in the area that grows quite a chunk of the Greek national production, Matoula Katsika, export and sales…

“The required quality, consistency and quantity is a standard that Polish apples can deliver”

Although apple volumes in Poland are expected to be lower, Dominik Woźniak, Trade CEO for Polish apple exporter Rajpol, is satisfied with the quality of this year’s crop: “In Poland, the total apple harvest seems to be approximately 11 per cent lower when compared to the previous season. That being said,…

Federal and Provincial Governments announce support for fruit tree industry

Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Bloyce Thompson, provincial Minister of Agriculture, have announced additional support for Prince Edward…

Rice Fruit Company announces retirement of long-time fruit grower

Rice Fruit Company, a producer of Eastern apples, has announced the retirement of Lee Showalter, a long-time industry advocate and fruit grower. Showalter has been a pivotal…

"New organic apple season's outlook is better than last year"

The Belgian organic apple market seems to be recovering slightly. "Last year was very difficult, but this year's prospects are considerably better. The harvest looks good," begins organic grower Hugo Jacobs of Jacobs Fruit. This Belgian cultivation company grows organic apples, pears, and cherries on…

"Smooth Elstar sales, Conference pear exports must still take off"

The Elstar apples sales season is off to a good start, according to Marius van Arkel of the Dutch company Fruitstation Van Arkel. "I think every Dutch supermarket is currently benefitting. The apples are tasty and have a good display life. Elstars' quality is excellent this year," he says. Fruitstation…

EVA GmbH

"Our main varieties Gala and Golden Delicious in particular have a very high international standing"

30 years ago, the Export Association Apples (EVA) was founded in the heart of Styria, Austria's most important apple-growing region. In the following three decades, the company has built up a good reputation in the international arena. We spoke with today's Managing Director Roland Rosenzopf (right) about the company's history as well as the challenges facing the Styrian ap…

"It can take up to 20 years for a variety to establish itself on the market"

Although the harvest of Elstar and Gala apples in the Rhineland will be slightly smaller this year than in 2022, a record harvest was also achieved last year. "That the harvest is smaller this year is not unusual. Since the harvest volumes were so large last year, we can speak of a normal harvest in…

Cosmic Crisp apples continue to set sales records in US

Cosmic Crisp® apples continue to set sales records, driving strong overall growth for the apple category. Nielsen data released by Proprietary Variety Management (PVM) reveal volume soared by 89% year over year and moved Cosmic Crisp® up to the #7 best-selling apple varieties nationally. Photo credit:…

Leading UK apple growers experienced notable drop in profits

All six of the leading UK apple growers in the industry have experienced a notable decrease in profits, with several facing large financial setbacks. The representative…

Washington anticipates 130 million boxes of apples this season

Washington is welcoming a better apple crop this season compared to the one of 2022 which saw deep freezes and other inclement weather affect yield. Rochelle Bohm, vice president of marketing for CMI Orchards LLC notes that while last year’s crop hit around the 100 million box mark, this year the state…

USDA

More than half of apples available for US consumption used in juices

Apples are a fall staple, showing up in lunch boxes, pies, cobblers, crisps, and cider. In 2021, 45.9 pounds of apples per person were available for domestic consumption, according to USDA, Economic Research Service’s (ERS) Food Availability data product. Fifty-two percent of the available apples for…

Late summer heat and sun promise sweet Ontario apples

The hot start to September, coupled with predictions for a few warm and sunny upcoming weeks are setting Ontario up for a tasty apple crop this year. That’s after patchy light frosts in the spring left some growers in the province fearing a smaller-than-normal apple harvest for 2023. However good…

Belgium owned apple brand's European season is off to an energetic start

A dynamic demand during the summer quickly emptied the stocks of KANZI® apples from Southern Hemisphere origins. European KANZI grower cooperatives are ready again to fuel the…

“While last year the problem was the calibers, this year it will be the russeting”

The Conference pear harvest has already finished in the Spanish region of La Rioja, so the fruit's marketing is now starting in a year that began with uncertainty regarding the supply of water for irrigation, but which is coming to a close with the harvest returning to normal levels. "While last year the…

Portugal negotiates opening of Thailand’s pear market

Portugal is negotiating the opening of the pear export market to Thailand, with teams from the country having already visited orchards and fruit centers in Portugal. A…

Fruit Holding Bebnissi Family Gardens prepares to plant 25 hectares of super-intensive pear orchards

As the Bebnissi Family Gardens company said, this year, 25 hectares of pear varieties Abat fetel, Santa Maria, Conference, and Williams Red will be planted in the territories…

SnapDragon apple harvest promising despite weather challenges

Apple growers in New York state had to deal with a challenging growing season. “Conditions were not perfect this year due to a late blossom, early fruit-set freeze, and some hail throughout the summer,” says Jessica Wells with Crunch Time Apple Growers. As a result, the state’s total apple production is…

This weekend's rains welcomed by Shopian apple farmers

The overnight rainfall provided the much-awaited relief to apple cultivators in south Kashmir's Shopian district. The rains started late Sunday night and continued for several…

Early autumn fruit prices are a national issue in South Korea

Every year, when autumn comes, South Koreans pay particular attention to the price trends of two specific fruits: apples and pears. These two fruits are the quintessential…

Strong US apple season will be celebrated in Anaheim

As Honeybear Brands welcomes visitors to Booth 2071 at the International Fresh Produce Association show on October 19, it is already helping retailers navigate what is shaping up to be a strong apple season. Honeybear Brand's Michigan growing team. "We’re seeing robust crops across the Midwest and on the…

The export of Ukrainian Red Delicious apples could increase

If Ukraine's international relations with certain Asian countries change, the export of Red Delicious apples could significantly increase. This opinion was expressed in an…

"Due to the violent change in weather conditions, we have losses of about 60%"

The apple cultivation in Greece is expected to be lower than usual, in the area that grows quite a chunk of the Greek national production, Matoula Katsika, export and sales manager for Greek fruit exporter A.C. Kissavos, says: “The apple production in our region, and in general for the producing…

Official data shows 60% of Vermont apple crop survived severe weather

After experiencing unusually chilly temperatures in May and flooding in July, Vermont managed to hold onto roughly 60% of its crop. Apple quantity varies among individual…

Kashmir apple harvest strains cold storage availability

Most cold storage units for Kashmiri apple have been booked in advance this year and there is no space available to accommodate more growers. Growers from various areas of…

Washington state growers are trying out new pear varieties

With most of the 2023 crop harvested, growers and agriculture officials say Bartletts, Boscs and Anjous remain the three dominant types of pears grown in the Yakima Valley.…

British Columbia: 2023 weather will bring apple yields down about 15%

Apple growers in British Columbia are still picking their crops. However, early indications suggest that yields will be down about 15% this year. According to Glen Lucas,…

Higher altitudes keep Turkish apples safe from heatwave

The Turkish heatwave caused quite some issues in certain apple growing regions, but Alper Kerim, owner of Turkish fruit exporter Demir Fresh Fruits, states their orchards are at higher altitudes and were spared many of the issues: “For the new season, the growing period for Turkish apples was rather…

Demand for organic Lebanese apples and nuts exceeds supply

The Lebanese organic market has dropped since the latest crises, yet there are opportunities for organic growers thanks to Lebanon's proximity to a relatively large, wealthy purchasing base in the Gulf states. Agreen Organics exports a wide range of organic products, fresh or processed, plant or animal,…

"Sustaining a share in Asian markets is difficult"

Sustaining a share in the Asian markets is a challenge for Egyptian pomegranate exporters, given the huge production of this fruit in Asia and the fierce competition. However, Egyptian exporters do not lack assets to establish themselves in many Asian markets, according to Amr Abdelhafiz, Managing…

"With the new apple production season, the demand for small fruits is growing."

The new season of early-ripening apples is now available on the market, and late-ripening varieties will be harvested in early October. Huasheng Fresh Fruit is mainly engaged in the cultivation and sales of apples in Shaanxi production areas. Mr. Woods Xu of the company is busy preparing for the new…

Polish apple exporters are still not able to ship large volumes to Egypt

It’s a frustrating time for Polish apple exporters who had Egypt as their main market. Mohamed Marawan, owner of Polish apple exporter Sarafruit, states there has been no progress with the situation in Egypt. “We’re currently in the midst of harvesting our apples. We managed to finish picking all the…

Apples to be exported to UAE from Kurdistan Region

The Kurdistan Region is set to export apples from the mountainous areas of Barwari in Duhok to the United Arab Emirates. Apples from the Barwari region, well-known for their…

One year later, P.E.I. apple growers focus on recovery from tropical storm Fiona

One year after tropical storm Fiona, P.E.I. apple orchard owners are still cleaning up, striving to minimize any potential damage from this year’s storm season. It’s not just…

St. Lawrence County apple grower not affected by Spring frost

The spring of 2023 saw some late frost, but why is this relevant now? It’s because it took a bite out of this year’s apple crop in much of New York state. However, in St.…

There has been a significant decrease in the prices of apples and grapes at Ukrainian supermarkets

In Ukrainian supermarkets, there is a significant decrease in prices currently. According to official information available as of September 17, the pricing strategy in…

South Africa’s apple and pear exports to China show countertrend growth

Due to adverse weather events like hail and floods earlier in the year, Hortgro has revised its export forecasts for the 2023 season. The estimated export volume for apples is…

Nova Scotia tree fruit growers reassured following Tropical Storm Lee

Nova Scotia apple growers are breathing a sigh of relief following the weekend’s Tropical Storm Lee which, going into the weekend, was expected to be Hurricane Lee. “Things are better than we expected them to be,” said Emily Lutz, executive director of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers Association “I’m…

"We should be able to export more to Greece"

The new Polish apple season is underway, as Gala apples are being harvested right now. Jakub Krawczyk, export manager for Polish apple exporter Appolonia, states that they will soon start harvesting their second variety of apples of the season as well: “Right now, we are starting harvesting the apples.…

New-Zealand branded apple volumes increase in Asia for Mid-Autumn Festival

Rockit Global is gearing up for its biggest Mid-Autumn Festival yet, entering new Asian markets and with more Rockit™ apples than ever landing in stores for the peak sales season. Due to strong consumer demand, Rockit will celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam for the first time this year, and combined…

“Tonik and Canopy apples meet real demands from both growers and consumers”

On the 25th of October, Dalival and its IFO research and development station will present their new Tonik and Canopy apple varieties, as well as their latest M200 rootstock innovation, at the IFO site in Seiches sur le Loir. According to Thierry Ligonnière, managing director of Dalival, “these…

Cyclone Gabrielle ends Esk Valley orchard investment scheme

Rural investment firm MyFarm is liquidating an Esk Valley orchard fund whose assets were severely damaged in cyclone Gabrielle. MyFarm raised over $3 million from wholesale…

Auction of Golden and Red apples in full swing with interested exporters

The harvesting of Golden and Red Delicious apples for the partners of Asta Frutta Alto Adige started one week ago and the first data are promising. "Harvesting is proceeding without problems and the past two nights with low temperatures are generating excellent color," reports Markus Tscholl, coordinator…

J&K National Conference hopes for compensation for damaged apple crops

This weekend, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference expressed concern over the extensive damages caused to standing apple crops in Shopian district due to an overnight…

Very encouraging start to the apple campaign in Alpes de Haute-Durance

Famous for their quality labels, the Haute-Durance apples are grown by 170 producers on a total surface area of 2,600 ha (95 ha for Gala PGI and 1,200 ha for Golden PGI) in the French departments of Hautes-Alpes and Alpes de Haute-Provence. The 2023 campaign has just started and this year already looks…

International Pink Lady Alliance 22nd conference fosters positive outlook for the future

The International Pink Lady Alliance NPC (IPLA) successfully concluded their 22nd annual conference, held on 4 and 5 September 2023 in Hong Kong. From left to right : Juan Martin Rosauer, Calla du Toit, Peter Richardson, Jon Durham (front),Didier Crabos (back), Philippe Toulemonde (front), Rob Meihuizen…

Lebanon has an excellent climate for apples

Small-scale farming is still dominant in Lebanon. More local and overseas investment in the professionalization of horticulture is needed and factors such as the favorable climate and fertile soil are attracting these investors. But the current model also offers opportunities, says Moussa M. Zgheib. Apple orchard in the mountains "We source our fruit, mainly grapes…

"Vietnamese willing to pay well for quality, imported fruit"

The Flemish Agricultural Marketing Board (VLAM) was recently wholly focused on promoting Belgian food products in Vietnam. That was during a trade mission led by Minister President Jan Jambon. From September 10 - 16, some 40 business leaders and export managers represented Flemish exporting companies in…

"In these pear harvesting conditions, your organization must be perfect"

In the Netherlands, Bijl's Fruit finished harvesting its new crop of Conference pears a couple of weeks ago. "The extreme heat made it nerve-wracking for a while, but luckily, we made a plan and got everything in on time," begins Wim Bijl. The grower trusted his instincts during the harvest. "We work on the…

Monsoon hits fruit growers hard in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh

An intense monsoon has caused considerable damage to the horticulture sector in Kullu district this year, with fruit growers of the district suffering huge losses. Apple crops…

Nova Scotia apple growers pick ahead for storm Lee

On Friday, growers in Eastern Canada were on watch and preparing for the onset of what was then called Hurricane Lee. While rain is something to watch, what apple growers and shippers such as Van Meekeren Farms in Kentville, Nova Scotia really are looking out for are wind gusts and at press time, they…

"Belgium holds the key to the new pear season"

Positivism currently reigns in Belgium regarding the upcoming Conference pear season. Still, carefully considering decisions, especially with marketing, is vital, so Ruben Claes of the New Green cooperative explains. "I think Belgium holds next season's key, but to get the best prices, it's essential to…

Kissabel® apple crop in Europe increases by 40%

Kissabel® apples return to the markets from mid-September with the Northern Hemisphere crop. European production of the range with coloured flesh in shades from pink to intense red will rise by 40%, with a crop of 3,500 tonnes. Harvesting of the pink-flesh Kissabel Jaune and Orange varieties was started by…

New England apple growers prepare for Hurricane Lee

New England apple growers are awaiting the arrival of Hurricane Lee, which could lead to damaged trees in the region. Its impacts are expected to be felt over the weekend,…

Another almost record crop of apples for Michigan

Michigan is seeing an apple crop that is coming close to last year’s record crop for the state. “The crop is looking very good. We’ve been fortunate enough to come back with another nice crop that is probably 90 percent of last year’s record crop,” says Scott Swindeman of Applewood Fresh Growers LLC in…

Despite Argentina’s challenges exporter grows volumes in Asia and other markets

Argentina as a country has several challenges but this is not stopping the producer and exporter Grupo Prima from growing their apples and pears volumes in the Asian and other markets. According to Marcelo Galardini, Commercial director of Grupo Prima, in Argentina: “We are growing in Asia and China.…

Morocco quake brings new hardships for small-scale farmers

Drought and extreme weather have long taken a toll on the North African kingdom's growers, but the quake in Morocco is creating new challenges. "We thought hail was our worst…

Egyptian pomegranate campaign to start with lower volumes than last season

The Egyptian pomegranate campaign starts soon, with yields lower than last season, according to Mohammad Hassan, export sales manager of Al Gamal for import and export. Mohammad said, "This year's yields have been impacted by climate disruptions, mainly thermal variations and generally higher…

Indian duty of 50% and 100% continues to be applicable on US apples and walnuts

With the decision to resolve six outstanding World Trade Organisation (WTO) disputes between the US and India through Mutually Agreed Solutions in June 2023, India has…

Inspection of the Dutch pear value chain in Thailand

The auditor from the Department of Agriculture (DOA), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Thailand officially conducted the inspection on the Dutch pear value chain from September 8-10, 2023. The inspection by a Thai auditor is part of the market access protocol for exporting pears from the…

Israelis expected to consume 15,000 tons of apples this Rosh Hashanah

This year, Israel is producing fewer apples than usual: 105,000 tons compared to the 110,000 tons in 2022. On the day before Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), the demand…

Apple farmers urge J&K Lieutenant Governor to restart MIS in Kashmir

The J&K chapter of the Apple Farmers’ Federation of India has asked J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s to intervene to restart the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for…

As harvest starts, Nova Scotia apple growers hope for a good season

The apple harvest is about to begin for Nova Scotia growers. Janet Chappel, of CAP Farms in Grafton, who is also president of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association: “This…

Late snow in the Boland as country prepares for El Niño

More rain today for the Western Cape which has appreciated the few days of sunshine in between cold, rainy spells when bees can finally venture into orchards (where they are furiously working and even ill-tempered with hunger), but producers say they're looking ahead at the possible effects of a below…

Sainsbury's largest purchaser of British apples sold to UK supermarkets by BAPL growers in August 2023

Every month, British Apples and Pears collates data from British Apple & Pear growers on the quantity of British apples they sold to UK supermarkets. The latest data is below. Sainsbury has just overtaken Aldi as the largest purchaser of British apples sold to UK supermarkets by BAPL growers in August…

Demand for California crops increases

Despite the fact that significant areas of farmland were submerged this spring, prices for Valley products are rising as California's producers and soil once again show their…

Jumla district exports 21,000 tons of apples

Jumla district apple growers exported more than 21,000 tons of apples so far this year. Acting Chief of Agriculture Development Office, Jumla, Ganesh Bahadur Adhikari said…

Fantastic flowering in South Africa’s plum orchards

Farmers in the Western Cape regard a possibility of frost damage accompanying the snow and icy rain of the past weekend (with more rain expected this coming weekend). The cold was such that even in the Northern Cape, cold winds damaged table grape vineyards.In the early plum orchards of the Boland, fruit…

Soluna apples makes debut in Hong Kong with tasting experience

During the launch of Soluna™ Apples throughout July and August via TVB a special gift box was available with online sales exploding. The WA Farm Direct working with their exclusive partner in Hong Kong, Top Weal, launched the next phase of their marketing plans for Soluna apples in that city. Commencing on…

Kashmir growers are anxious as import duty on US apples is relaxed

India’s federal government’s decision to relax 20% customs duty on apples imported from the US at the recently concluded G-20 summit left Kashmir Valley growers nervous. The…

The Lebanese fresh produce sector will be in the spotlight in the coming weeks

Last September, Piet Schotel of the Center for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) and Fresh Publishers manager, Pieter Boekhout, took a work trip to Moldova. They visited some 15 fruit growers in this small European country, wedged between Ukraine and Romania. You can read all about…

"We expect a good year for Portuguese apple exports"

Portuguese apple exports started a few weeks ago, despite strong sales in the domestic market. Although Portugal is not known for exporting large volumes of apples, it grows certain varieties that are highly appreciated for their unique characteristics, as is the case of the Gala. "We are currently in…

Canadian cherries doing well in first season of exports to South Korean market

South Korea’s interest in cherries from Canada’s British Colombia is “exciting” in this first season of full exports to that new market for them says Claire Donahue, export coordinator for BC Tree Fruits Cooperative. She also says Canada’s apple harvest season looks to start about 10 days earlier. “We…

"Many varieties of apples are coming to market one after another"

The apples sold on the market recently are mainly early-ripening apples and goods from cold storage. Due to the reduced supply of apples in cold storage and the uneven quality of early-ripening fruits, the market price of apples has increased steadily. As the sales of seasonal fruits come to an end, the…

Moldova’s 2023 apple harvest revised downward

EastFruit experts in Moldova spoke to farmers and representatives of fruit growers’ organizations in Moldova regarding the updated apple harvest outlook for 2023. It seems that due to the very hot second half of summer the outlook for fresh apple harvest in Moldova needs to be revised further downward.…

Despite delay due to cold spring weather and late bloom, pear crop looks good

Even though a cold spring and late bloom delayed harvest by about two weeks, California Bartlett pear growers say they are seeing a good crop of high-quality fruit, which is…

“Many of our pears have gone, and will go, to Italy this year”

In June, Catalonia had about 1,700 tons of pears in stock, well below the 7,400 tons reported in the same month last year. Based on official figures, we are talking about the lowest volume in stock since the 2016/17 season. "These figures are a consequence of the 32% drop in the production recorded last…

“Polish apples are very well received in India”

Although the Polish apple harvest will be lower than the seasons that came before it, Aniruddh Ramesh, director of Polish apple exporter LVMG Grupa, doesn’t feel it’s a worrying drop in volumes: “When you compare the current apple season to the previous two seasons, volumes are indeed slightly lower…

"I believe new Elstar trading began too soon"

In the Netherlands, harvesting is in full swing at Gebr. Peters Fruithandel. "We've picked a third of our pears. Last week, the kilos were still slightly disappointing, but that seems to be improving. The warm weather just mustn't last too long. There's not much ripening yet. The pears are sweeter this…

Abundant apple harvest in Bajura overshadowed by troubled market

At the Budhinanda municipality in Bajura, particularly around Pandusen village, are extensive apple orchards. Over 150 households have apple orchards in the village, with some…

A new class of apple from New Zealand

Introducing Posh™, New Zealand’s glass of bubbly in apple form. “Elegant, crisp and honey-kissed,” Posh™ has been developed as a premium choice for discerning apple-lovers. Next Generation Apples has launched Posh™, one of the latest global apple varieties to be developed through Aotearoa New Zealand’s…

CMI Orchards welcomes new sales account manager

The team at CMI Orchards continues to expand with the recent addition of Ellie Tucker as sales account manager. Tucker has 20 years of experience in the tree fruit industry,…

A longer season for SweeTango apples

The SweeTango® apple crop is projected to be larger than last year’s crop. “The best-flavored apple is back!” says Kaari Stannard of New York SweeTango sales desk Yes! Apples. Stannard is the board chair of Next Big Thing, A Growers’ Cooperative (NBT), whose 50+ U.S. and Canadian members grow, pack and…

Boosting consumption for a successful French apple campaign

“Consumption is absolutely key to a successful campaign,” explains Daniel Sauvaitre, president of the French Apple Pear Association (ANPP), a statement echoed by Bruno Darnaud, president of the Peach and Apricot Producers’ Association, at the launch of the Apple Pear campaign. “In the end, the consumer…

Collaborative and data-driven approach appeals to buyers of African products

South African strawberry exports by air to the Middle East and Malaysia have been doing well so far, says Elton Greeve, managing director of newly established SA Fruit Marketing (right).Last week, they signed an agreement with a Malagasy litchi supplier for their European campaign starting at the end of…

Taiwanese pears exported to UK for first time

Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture has authorized a shipment of pears that were bred domestically to the UK for the first time. The ministry said it chose to ship the “Baodao…

Northern Michigan orchard uses new technique to help ripen apples

As September marks the start of apple season across northern Michigan, some orchards are trying a new way to make sure the apples are ready. Some orchards even have a new way…

Getting ready for autumn with Eastern apples

For Keystone Fruit Marketing, a division of Progressive Produce, apples were the first commodity they took to market. “The first grower it worked with, El Vista Orchards in Fairfield, Pennsylvania, is still a grower partner today,” says Lisa Fetterhoff, director of operations for Keystone. Currently,…

"It's full steam ahead for sales this pear season'"

Currently, 72 pickers are bringing in the pear crop at Van Haaften Fruit in the Netherlands. "The fruit has top quality, but the volumes are lacking," says Peter van Haaften, who describes the harvest as the year's climax for every grower. The Van Haaften family's fourth generation. Van Haaften Fruit is…

Drought raises concerns about Illinois apples and pumpkins in 2023 picking-season

As Autumn approaches, Illinois pumpkins and apples are coming into full season. However, there are concerns about the impact of the drought and the extreme heat on QCA fruit…

"We aim to consolidate our position on the Asian markets"

Asian markets are becoming more and more promising for VOG. Underlining the area’s importance, the Consortium was exhibiting at Asia Fruit Logistica. In recent years VOG has achieved outstanding results in Asia, which is now an important export destination with excellent growth prospects. Varietal…

Celina cv. pear receives license to be grown in the United States

In association with Fruithandel Wouters and ABCz Group of Belgium, Proprietary Variety Management (PVM) is pleased to announce it has been granted the license to manage the Celina cv. pear in the United States. A cross between the Broket Juli and Williams (also known as Bartlett) pears, Celina cv. is a…

Planting begins for new Joli apple commercial growing pilot

The first commercial planting of T&G Global’s newest global premium apple variety Joli™, began this week at one of T&G’s Hawke’s Bay orchards. T&G is the global exclusive license holder for growing, marketing and selling the new variety, branded as Joli. This initial planting is part of the planned 27…

"Extreme heat this week is the only thing that could taint this fantastic Belgian pear season"

This week has been sweltering in Europe. In the Netherlands, there are even reports of, possibly, the first-ever September heat wave. Wonderful for some, but it coincides precisely with Belgian Conference pear harvesting. That is not only an issue for the pickers, it could cause some problems for the…

Turkmen company Lezzetli Miwe harvests 93 tons of peaches, apples

The agricultural company "Lezzetli miwe" has harvested a substantial crop of peaches and apples. Approximately 70 tons of peaches and 23 tons of apples were collected. The…

Profitability at core of apple and pear initiative

Apple and pear growers across Australia are set to increase their bottom line through the launch of a new program that has profitability at the core of everything it does. The…

"China imported approximately 30% of the blush pear volumes exported to the Far East"

After what can only be described as a challenging pear season from a production point of view, export markets have performed above expectation and revived interested among producers to invest in varieties that offer access to new markets such as China as well as markets where we’ve seen consistent growth…

"Flavor-wise, we dare say Early Desires rival, or even surpass, any other red pear"

In Belgium, Conference pears reign supreme in volume and demand. However, recently, red pear varieties have increasingly come into their own. These include Early Desire (Gepa), a red pear that has gained its place in the market, says Louis De Cleene of the Devos Group. "We have an excellent crop and see…

India has lifted tariffs on US apples

Yesterday, a trade agreement between the US and India took effect, allowing the return of Washington as a major exporter to the megamarket. Before Indian Prime Minister…

Northwest fresh pear industry announces 2023 crop estimate

With harvest underway throughout the four growing regions, Pear Bureau Northwest (PBNW) announces the first estimate of the 2023-24 fresh pear crop for Washington and Oregon.…

Some positives for SA apples and pears amid a difficult growing season

The Western Cape is slowly emerging from winter – more snow fell this week and rain is again predicted for the weekend – but as orchards come into flower, producers and pollinators would appreciate warmer temperatures. Right: Pink Lady apples packed in Ceres”It’s been a few years in a row now that spring…

Blue Whale seeking record numbers in Asia

Apple producer Blue Whale has defined clear goals for the 2023-2024 season in Asia. The French company has been exporting its apple varieties to the Asian continent for more than 30 years. Nowadays, these markets account for 15% of its total exports. The growth seen in recent years is being driven by one…

New CEO for Starr Ranch Growers

Starr Ranch Growers is excited to announce the appointment of Don Odegard as its new chief executive officer. As the new CEO, Odegard brings a wealth of experience and a visionary leadership approach…

El Bierzo's Conference pear harvest will be better than expected

Now that 90% of the fruit has been harvested, the Conference pear harvest in El Bierzo is entering its final stretch. "Based on the volume of pears we've harvested, we'll…

Extended rains caused issues for apple production in India

The local apple production in India will see a significant decrease this season. Mudasir Tak, founder of Pinevalley Agrifarms, states that heavy rains have complicated the apple season in multiple ways: “Apple cultivation is mostly prevalent in the Kashmir Valley and Himachal Pradesh, with Kashmir…

"We are faced with 30 percent higher costs and a 20 percent drop in sales"

"We have exited a year in which wages have risen sharply. On top of that, there are social security contributions that have to be factored in as well, and on top of that, pome fruit is one of the few products where growers receive less money for the goods," says Philip Wißkirchen. He himself cultivates a…

Very good harvest of French apples after three years in deficit

In the presence of 170 operators from the sector, the French Apple Pear Association (ANPP) announced its harvest forecasts and outlook for the 2023/2024 season, at the campaign launch on August 31st. After 3 years of deficit, 2023 finally marks a return to a positive dynamic, with a more promising…

Will apple export volumes grow again this season?

Washington’s apple season is starting as some supplies from 2022 are still wrapping up. Javier Orti, sales manager for Asia for Salix Fruits says the supply of Granny Smith has been very limited during the last two months. “The last Red Delicious from the 2022 crop are being loaded now and Galas have…

Quebec apple growers want government aid to deal with changing tastes and climate

Quebec apple farmers have asked their government for help to plant new varieties and modernize their orchards. Éric Rochon, president of the Quebec apple farmers association,…

Green light for laser trial to protect Australian pome and stone fruit

Baudin’s black cockatoos are notorious for their love of pome and stone fruit, which is something growers in south-west Western Australia aren’t too happy about. Current…

Sopore Mandi in Kashmir visited by apple traders from across India

Sopore town in North Kashmir's Baramulla district is called ‘the apple town of Kashmir Valley’. Around 40 per cent of the apple production and sale in Kashmir Valley is done…

An automatic line for cutting apples into slices

Fresh fruit consumption is increasing, and apples are a top product in this category. PND is staying abreast of modern trends by launching the Mod. CB8, an automatic line for slicing apples. Virginia Cascella We talked to Virginia Cascella, an export manager and industry expert at PND, a company specialized…

USDA

Prognosfruit 2023: EU apple and pear production forecast to decline

On August 2-4, 2023, the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) presented the 2023 EU apple and pear crop forecast at the 48th edition of the Prognosfruit convention. WAPA forecasts the 2023 EU fresh apples crop at 11.4 million metric tons (MT), 3.3 percent below the 2022 harvest. The reduction is a…

South African apple growers gear up to combat unfavorable conditions

According to Gysbert du Toit, marketing director at Dutoit Agri, increasing erratic weather patterns severely impact the management of apples. Ongoing power cuts are a thing…

Inclement weather and scab hit apple production in Kashmir

Sources claim that Kashmir's apple output is projected to plummet by almost 40 percent due to unfavorable weather and scab disease. The apple harvest has begun, but growers…

Himachal Pradesh apple season peaks

As the apple season is at its peak in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to expedite road…

North Carolina apple growers try to deal with freeze-damaged crops

After May frosts wiped out around 80 percent of the crop in 2021, Henderson County growers rebounded last year, harvesting a bumper crop. However, so did growers in Virginia,…

Smaller apple crop for New York this season

The New York apple crop could be down by approximately 20 percent in volume this 2023-2024 season. “Most of this is attributed to the frost in the spring at bloom time. It’s region-specific and different varieties have different timing,” says Tim Mansfield with Sun Orchard Fruit Co., adding that aside…

EastFruit

Egypt loses status of top importer of apples from EU

Imports of apples from the EU have reached their 5-year low in Egypt in the MY 2022/23 (July-June), reports EastFruit. The devaluation of the Egyptian pound in 2022 has backed local exporters in the foreign markets but had simultaneously affected imports drastically. In addition, food inflation in Egypt…

"Last year, size determined pear prices, this year, it's quality”

The first Conference pears of the season are currently entering Dutch stores. "Two to three weeks ago, it seemed difficult for trade and growers to come together. I had my doubts whether there'd be much off-tree selling. But, trade generally picked up quickly, and growers and traders have agreed to…

Mela Rossa di Cuneo IGP-branded Gala apples

La Grande Bellezza Italiana has always focused on PGI marks and the promotion of both the origin and the characteristics of these products to get them known to a wider public and increase the profitability of companies. "We have been focusing on PGI marks, identifying recognizable products and backing up what…

“Industrial orchards are completely empty this year”

We can expect lower volumes for the Polish apples, as cold weather early in the cultivation period destroyed some of the crops, says Emilia Lewandowska, office manager for Polish fruit exporter Fruit-Group: “The apple crop in Poland will be lower compared to last season. We expect production to be about…

“Greek wildfires cause some growers to lose entire pear production”

The Greek pears are sitting comfortably in the cold chambers, says Greek pear exporter Paris Karastergios, of Karastergiou Bros: “The Greek pear season is in full swing. Harvest is now finished and we are storing the harvested fruit in cold chambers to last us the reast of the season. Looking at the…

Washington apple grower partnership ends next year

After many years of successful partnership, Starr Ranch Growers and Gilbert Orchards will part ways in 2024. Regardless of this change coming in the new year, the two…

"Pear quality is satisfactory, but current sales are not as good as this time last year"

The new season pears from various producing regions in China have entered the market one after another. According to a pear wholesaler, due to the good climate in the producing areas, the quality this year is ideal: "The overall quality of pears this year is particularly good. In terms of production, the…

"At present, Spanish Abate pears are still being repacked in Italy"

At the wholesale market in Hamburg, the current business is rather restrained, as Hinrich Eckhoff, buyer and seller at the fruit wholesaler Fruchtgroßhandel Erwin Dehmel, tells us on request. "The new apple harvest in the Alte Land has already begun with the first early varieties Gravensteiner,…

"With the expected Conference pear production, we'll need every market"

The new Belgian pear season has begun. With European forecasts as they are, there are likely many opportunities for Belgian Conference pears in Europe this season. Other markets are still, however, being considered. Marc Evrard (BFV) and VLAM thus had a booth at The Brazil Conference on August 22 and 23…

Tingira orchard has seen progressive diversification and enhancement of its apple varieties

In Kunama, near Batlow, lies Tingira, an orchard that has weathered the test of time and devastating events such as the 2019–20 bushfires. Its owners, Michael, Sharon and…