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Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Asian market has lots of potential for Portuguese grapes
The start of the Portuguese grape season has been satisfying, with possibilities to enter new markets, states Susana Ferreira, marketing director of Portuguese grape exporter Vale da Rosa: “The Portuguese grape market is running normally and as expected so far. The seeded grapes season has ended and we…
Record long Thai mangosteen season makes Indonesian exporters wonder
The global mangosteen market is still receiving fruit from Thailand, which is experiencing an unusually extended harvest season. Indonesia’s new crop will be available from October onward. As a result of Thailand’s extended season, fruit prices are currently not stable. "It is very unusual that Thailand…
Ecuador's dragon fruit industry eager to supply more volume to new market of China
The Chinese market’s admission of yellow dragon fruit from Ecuador this year presents the South American country with a great opportunity to boost their exports. Gabriela Vallejo, who calls herself the Tropical Queen and head of sales for Ecuafields, a producer and exporter from Ecuador says: “The…
Potato trader Nasr Rahme
In Lebanon, new potatoes are harvested in July and November
Lebanese potato grower Michel Rahme has high hopes for a specific new variety. "Varietal renewal is imminent. We want a potato that delivers higher yields in the field, is versatile in the kitchen, and can throw open other markets' doors. We think we've found that in Maverick," he begins. They hope to…
Nashik onion farmers threaten protests if government does not drop 40% export duty
Farmers from Nashik threatened protests in New Delhi if the government did not drop the 40% export duty on onions. The farmers also don't want Nafed and NCCF to sell their…
Over a week, more than 5 thousand tons of fruits and vegetables were delivered to the Primorsky Krai
The import of fresh vegetables, fruits, and berries has increased in Primorsky Krai
The import of fresh vegetables, fruits, and berries from different countries has increased in Primorsky Krai. From September 11 to 17, the region received 5,780.5 tons of…
The export of agricultural products from Kyrgyzstan increased by 49.6% in just one week
From September 8 to 14, 2023, the staff of the Plant Quarantine Department conducted phytosanitary control over 5,304 tons of domestic agricultural products destined for…
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…
Festival of Chuseok takes place from Thursday to Saturday
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…
Bangladesh
Joypurhat cold storages have 80,000 tons of potatoes in stock
In the Joypurhat district of Bangladesh, a total of 80,000 tons of potatoes are stored in 19 cold storages. There is a demand of 40,000 tons of potato in the local consumer…
Latest photo reports
Special
Special Avocados
Mohamad Hijazi of Lebanese Avocado
Lebanese trial with early, grafted Hass looks promising
In southern and northern Lebanon, on plots no higher than 500m above sea level, avocado cultivation is undergoing a remarkable revolution. Annually, that acreage grows by about 200 hectares and yields by around 2,500 tons. Yet, the extraordinary thing is that one man is driving the expansion of this in a…
India witnesses avocado boom, creating great opportunities for Kenyan growers
Kenya’s deputy high commissioner to India, Irene Olio, recently commented on the nation’s avocado exports: “The first shipment has just arrived at Mumbai port. And there are…
Good early start to Israel’s 2023/24 avocado season to Europe
Israel’s avocado industry, that has just started the 2023/24 harvest season, is seeing good early demand from European markets for the Greenskin variety. “The Greenskin season just started. Demand in the EU is good for now, but we expect a challenging season going forward into the main season,” says…
Global Focus
Global Focus Potatoes and Onions
Promoting sustainable practices in the potato industry
‘Potatoes Forever!’ campaign launched in Europe
Europe has unveiled a €3.2 million initiative, named “Potatoes Forever!“ It is aimed at educating the public about sustainable practices within the fresh potato industry. The…
Olivier Magaud, Solema-Luzo
The French yellow onion campaign starts with “very high prices”
The 2023 French yellow onion campaign looks more promising than in 2022, which was “catastrophic” in terms of volumes and prices. Olivier Magaud describes the current issues faced by Solema-Luzo, a French company specialized in alliums. Olivier Magaud The campaign starts with “very high prices”The French…
Fermín Utrilla, of Biodiversa: “Since July, the demand for onions has been exceeding the supply”
“It remains to be seen how the storage capacity will be affected by the latest rains in September”
According to Fermín Utrilla, from Biodiversa, the onion acreage in Castile-La Mancha is expected to shrink compared to previous years due to the high rental prices of land for cultivation and the higher costs of electricity, diesel, fertilizers, etc. "The sector expects normal yields; Albacete, an…
Vegetables more »
Ukrainian farmers have expanded the agricultural land dedicated to vegetable cultivation
Ukrainian farmers have averted a vegetable crisis in Ukraine by expanding the agricultural land dedicated to vegetable cultivation. Yuriy Kormyshkin, the Chairman of the…
Over a week, more than 5 thousand tons of fruits and vegetables were delivered to the Primorsky Krai
The import of fresh vegetables, fruits, and berries has increased in Primorsky Krai
The import of fresh vegetables, fruits, and berries from different countries has increased in Primorsky Krai. From September 11 to 17, the region received 5,780.5 tons of…
The export of agricultural products from Kyrgyzstan increased by 49.6% in just one week
From September 8 to 14, 2023, the staff of the Plant Quarantine Department conducted phytosanitary control over 5,304 tons of domestic agricultural products destined for…
Egyptians angry over sharp rise in vegetable prices
Onion prices per kilo surged to 35 Egyptian pounds this month. They were 10 pounds cheaper last month and about 12 pounds per kilo a year ago. This rise in the price of onions…
Bananas more »
Average weekly wholesale prices of fruit and veg & bananas
Bananas from Colombia at £0.95, up 8% compared to last week
This series gives the average wholesale prices of bananas by country of origin. The prices are national averages of the most usual prices charged for bananas at wholesale markets in Birmingham and London. This publication is updated weekly. The current average week prices of bananas were at £0.95 for bananas…
Potatoes and Onions more »
Nashik onion farmers threaten protests if government does not drop 40% export duty
Farmers from Nashik threatened protests in New Delhi if the government did not drop the 40% export duty on onions. The farmers also don't want Nafed and NCCF to sell their…
Government Bangladesh considers potato imports to calm prices
Hoping to stabilize potato prices, the government of Bangladesh is considering imports. Currently, retail rates are defying the government-set maximum retail price of Tk 36…
Potato trader Nasr Rahme
In Lebanon, new potatoes are harvested in July and November
Lebanese potato grower Michel Rahme has high hopes for a specific new variety. "Varietal renewal is imminent. We want a potato that delivers higher yields in the field, is versatile in the kitchen, and can throw open other markets' doors. We think we've found that in Maverick," he begins. They hope to…
Bangladesh
Joypurhat cold storages have 80,000 tons of potatoes in stock
In the Joypurhat district of Bangladesh, a total of 80,000 tons of potatoes are stored in 19 cold storages. There is a demand of 40,000 tons of potato in the local consumer…
Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables more »
Record long Thai mangosteen season makes Indonesian exporters wonder
The global mangosteen market is still receiving fruit from Thailand, which is experiencing an unusually extended harvest season. Indonesia’s new crop will be available from October onward. As a result of Thailand’s extended season, fruit prices are currently not stable. "It is very unusual that Thailand…
Ecuador's dragon fruit industry eager to supply more volume to new market of China
The Chinese market’s admission of yellow dragon fruit from Ecuador this year presents the South American country with a great opportunity to boost their exports. Gabriela Vallejo, who calls herself the Tropical Queen and head of sales for Ecuafields, a producer and exporter from Ecuador says: “The…
Scientists claim that garlic breath can be fixed by eating natural yogurt
Garlic lovers will know that, while the pungent ingredient adds a lot of flavor to many otherwise bland dishes, it is also known to cause bad breath. However, scientists at…
Company news more »
Fyffes publishes second sustainability report and progress on targets
"Our production markets of Latin America and our consumption markets in North America and Europe repurpose food loss into nutritious healthy meals"
Fyffes published today its second sustainability report, which highlights the company’s progress towards its 13 sustainability targets during 2021 and 2022. These targets have been set against a 2020 baseline year and are expected to be met by 2030. Fyffes targets are aligned with the UN Sustainable…
T&G Fresh opens new site for fresh produce trading in Auckland
New Zealand’s largest grower and distributor of fresh produce, T&G Fresh, opened the doors to its new Auckland fresh produce market this week at 113A Carbine Road, Mt…
Retha Faul – Retha Faul Consulting
Food safety system gives growers and consumers peace of mind
Food producers have a plethora of documents going back and forth these days, much of it to comply with the various food safety standards, and to backdate or generate documents before a scheduled audit constitutes fraudulent behaviour. Sometimes documentation slips through and staff forget – but that need…
Jordi Ferre joins Coolsan Australia’s mission to get more food to more mouths
Coolsan Australia is proud to announce the appointment of Jordi Ferre (ex CEO AgroFresh/Alvinesa Natural Ingredients) to head up their Global ULD-HPV ChillSafe Strategy and…
Lithuanian Vegetable Producers Association joins Europatat
Europatat warmly welcomes the Lithuanian Vegetable Producers Association (LDAA). Founded in 1998, LDAA is a non-profit organisation uniting potato and vegetable producers,…
Greenhouse more »
"Our main product is teen leaf, which is a new segment for the European market"
Robots grow, process and package lettuce for Nordic Greens in a high-tech greenhouse
Solar panels, double screens, LED lights, and cameras are used for scouting crops for pests and deficiencies. Several sustainable initiatives are visible in the new Nordic Greens facility, but there's much more happening inside this new semi-closed lettuce facility. "We've created a customized system…
Logistics more »
Ethio-Djibouti Railway claimed to provide crucial economic benefits to the region
Chinese sources claim that the Ethio-Djibouti railway, which is part of China’s Belt and Road initiative flagship infrastructure project for Africa, has been providing…
Machinery more »
Designers of new advanced stone fruit plant on show in Madrid
The Sorma Group will be exhibiting again at Fruit Attraction to meet established and potential customers from the trade to provide insights into its many innovations for the post-harvesting processing and packaging of fruit and vegetables. The projects presented include the most highly automated and…
Bid on various high-quality food processing machines
Industrial Auctions has organized an interesting auction in Kapelle (NL). The offer consists, for example, of sorting belts, batchers, filling and packaging machines, labelling equipment, checkweighers, metal detectors, peelers, and more. Also some interesting combinations are offered on this auction.…
"Crust freezing ensures that the frozen sweet corn maintains its original quality and flavor”
According to Sana Rehman, marketing coordinator for OctoFrost, sweet corn has attracted the interest of health-conscious consumers looking for nourishing choices, since it is a source of important vitamins and antioxidants. “A major biotechnology business, Bayer, claims that the agriculture industry has…
General fresh produce more »
‘Survey into Global production and operation costs for prices for fruit and vegetables’
Global Coalition of Fresh Produce report confirms that growers are having it hard globally
Last week the Global Coalition of Fresh Produce released their ‘Survey into Global production and operation costs for prices for fruit and vegetables.’ A summary of what they…
Jaime Bustamante with the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation
“We help companies across continents resolve disputes”
In some cases, the sale or purchase of fresh produce doesn’t go according to plan and results in a dispute. Disputes may arise due to issues related to the quality of the product, its condition upon arrival, or disagreements regarding the fairness of the return or liquidation offered by the buyer. Taking…
Management more »
Solidus appoints Jesse Rep as Head of Sustainability
Solidus, a company specialised in fibre-based packaging solutions in Europe, has appointed Jesse Rep as Head of Sustainability. The appointment coincides with the launch of…
Miscellaneous more »
Thai currency might rebound as PM prioritizes economy
As growth measures announced by newly appointed PM Srettha Thavisin will bear fruit, Thailand’s currency might rebound shortly. Strategists at Ebury and Societe Generale SA…
California border patrol officers arrest man smuggling cocaine in cucumber shipment
California border patrol officers have arrested a Mexican earlier this month after he was caught with over 400 pounds of cocaine hiding in a box of cucumbers at the Otay Mesa…
Fruit more »
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…
BerryWorld remains true to principles as it approaches 30th anniversary year
In 2023, as the BerryWorld Group approaches the completion of its third decade as a berry expert, the Group continues to make significant strides with its varietal portfolio.…
University of Minnesota unveils new 'Kudos' apples
The University of Minnesota has unveiled a new apple variety, to become available in coming years. Last week, the U of M’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource…
Newer proprietary red grape varietal coming to an end for the season
As the end of September closes in, one California grape grower is looking towards wrapping up the season on a proprietary variety that it discovered in its fields more than 10 years ago. Mirabella Farms Inc.’s now proprietary variety, the Red Malibu Seedless grape, was discovered then but has been…
Asian market has lots of potential for Portuguese grapes
The start of the Portuguese grape season has been satisfying, with possibilities to enter new markets, states Susana Ferreira, marketing director of Portuguese grape exporter Vale da Rosa: “The Portuguese grape market is running normally and as expected so far. The seeded grapes season has ended and we…
Consumption of fresh Haskap berries has benefited from pandemic
Ten years ago, no one knew what a Haskap berry was,” says Samuel Côté with Haskap Producers in Canada. With more and more information becoming available about their health benefits, the popularity of Haskap berries has taken off and continues to grow. “In addition to terrific health benefits, Haskap…
Morocco wants to exceed 100,000 tons in blueberry exports
The international speakers and attendees at the XXVIII International Blueberry Seminar confirmed that the blueberry industry in Morocco is quite a consolidated sector. The…
Rosselkhoznadzor, Orenburg region:
Pests detected in melons and tomatoes from Uzbekistan
During a quarantine phytosanitary control on September 18 and 19, Rosselkhoznadzor officials for the Orenburg region found quarantine pests in four batches of fresh melons…
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…
Festival of Chuseok takes place from Thursday to Saturday
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…
Herbs more »
Lorenzo Fernández, from Freshpania:
“The excessive supply from aromatic herb producers has been taking a toll on the price levels in recent years”
The rains recorded in recent days in the Spanish Region of Murcia have coincided with the planting of various crops, including several varieties of fresh aromatic herbs produced by Aromatic Factory and marketed by Freshpania, which handle about 2 million kilos annually. "All our crops will be ready on…
Agenda more »
On its 15th anniversary, Fruit Attraction 2023 breaks all records
Fruit Attraction will celebrate its 15th anniversary in style from October 3-5. The fair, which is being organized by IFEMA MADRID and FEPEX and will have Andalusia as its Guest Region, has recorded the largest participation in its history with 2,000 exhibiting companies from 56 countries, an area of…
Citrus more »
Revamp of Cara Cara orange program
Health is still top-of-mind as consumers continue to seek out products that play a role in supporting holistic lifestyles and The Pink Orange, Cara Cara, is no exception. Orange on the outside and pink on the inside, Caras get their pink interior from the antioxidant lycopene. Offering 100 percent of the…
South African citrus industry to receive quality boost due to stricter propagation laws
South Africa’s citrus industry is set to receive a boost in quality as stricter laws for propagation are tabled. The Citrus Improvement Scheme(CIS) will soon be promulgated…
Organic more »
Organic labelling laws under spotlight in Australia
Rugby league legend and 2023 Australian Organic Awareness Month Ambassador, Anthony Minichiello, has backed the push for stronger regulations around organic ‘greenwashing’. Now a qualified nutritionist, Minichiello advocates for certified organic farming practices as a key element of a nutrient-dense diet.…
Health more »
Snacking on almonds can support weight management
Two new studies build on the large body of scientific evidence suggesting that almonds can improve diet quality and aid in weight management. They may also support weight loss…
IT more »
American IoT data carrier platform company launches humidity sensing
IoT data carrier platform company Wiliot has added humidity sensing to its Visibility Platform for products throughout the supply chain. The traceability technology enables…
Innovations more »
Pat McCullough of ProducePay:
“We help growers in 17 countries bring their produce to market”
Back in 2015, Pablo Borquez Schwarzbeck, a fourth-generation farmer from Mexico, founded ProducePay. The company offers a financing solution for growers and distributors of fresh produce and was founded with the idea to help Latin American farmers export their products to the United States. “About…
Processed fruit and vegetables more »
Apple juice prices remain elevated due to lower production and robust global demand
The apple juice season for 2023/2024 is underway as processing facilities begin their operations. In August, the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) issued a forecast…
Cooling more »
Interko -
At-source fresh fruit ripening expands in Latin America
Interko the designer, manufacturer and installer of state-of-the-art fresh fruit ripening rooms, is pleased to announce the expansion of its at-source ripening offer in response to growing demand worldwide for their energy-efficient technology. Interko is partnering increasingly with growers and processors…
Food safety more »
Kenyan government guarantees pest free produce exports to Europe
The Kenyan government will ensure fresh produce exports to Europe and other export destinations. Principal Secretary for Crop Development Kello Harsama said that due to…
Nuts and dried fruits more »
Walnut harvesting in Moldova will begin later and may be delayed
In most regions of Moldova, harvesting of walnuts of early varieties has begun (mainly local selection – “Peschansky”, “Kazaku”, etc.). Specialists from the Union of…
Packaging and Labelling more »
Avocados From Mexico launches PLU stickers
Avocados From Mexico, based in Irving, Texas, recently shared that it broke another record in its 2022-2023 fiscal year, importing 2.48 billion pounds of avocados. In part,…
Climate more »
Major roads closed
Western Cape flooded for second time in three months
Major roads leading into the Cape Town metropolitan area have been closed due to the heavy flooding, as rain continues with winds of 46km/h on Heritage Day, a public holiday in South Africa. Waves battering the Kalk Bay lighthouses yesterday (photo: Annemarie Ross) A humanitarian aid group says it has…
Retail more »
Dreamstime
Unison launches SeedBlink funding round:PLUS is gradually switching to organic potatoes in the fresh segment
New Zealand: Countdown launches new Low Price programCountdown has announced a new "low price" program, which includes fresh vegetables, dairy, and bread products for the first time. But data shows consumers are yet to be convinced by the supermarket chain's $400mln rebrand back to Woolworths.Source:…
