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Friday, January 27, 2023


GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW CUCUMBER
The increased energy costs have hit the winter production of cucumbers on the northern hemisphere hard. Many northern European cucumber growers have opted out of heating or lighting their cucumber crops this winter, including those in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, causing gaps in domestic supply on these…

“The red guava would be an exclusive, ultra-exotic fruit in this market”
The red guava season has recently kicked off in India. The history of India and guava is a long one, says Kaushal Khakhar, CEO of Indian fresh produce exporter Kay Bee Exports: “India has a long-lasting and extensive expertise at growing various varieties of guava. For several years, it has remained the…


Malaysian Ministry aims for fruit export growth this year
The Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) is targeting fruits export to increase in several foreign countries this year. Malaysia’s fruits, mainly durian…
Malaysia
Desaru Fruit Farm loses RM600,000 due to flood
The well-known Desaru Fruit Farm in Malaysia has suffered losses of about RM600,000 (€132,000) after 90 per cent of its orchard was flooded. Desaru Fruit Farm director Alice…


“Turkish apple exports mainly went to India, Russia and Syria”
Their first apple export season in 2021 had its challenges, but Turkish produce exporter Ani Tarim is very confident about the current Turkish apple season, says Mehmet Çakmak, sales and marketing manager for the exporter. “Our ongoing apple and pomegranate export programmes make us quite happy, so far…

interestingengineering.com
Pakistan's LNG crisis sparks dangerous 'bag gas' trade
Locals of Karak district in northwest Pakistan are using hoses to siphon gas from main supply lines and filling plastic bags with natural gas to bring it to their homes for cooking. These risky and illegal means to obtain natural gas for their households' cooking needs show great desperation and failure…


Filipino president Marcos wants meeting to discuss high prices of imported onions
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a stakeholders’ meeting next week after discovering that imported onions are sold up to ₱ 200 per kilo. Presidential Communications Office…

Europe to Asia reefer rates slide
Freight rates on the Europe to Asia trades have begun to follow the wider container market down after a period of resistance. According to a market update from freight rate…

Garlic may be next to experience supply troubles and price hikes in Philippines
As Filipinos slowly try to recover from months of inexplicably high onion prices, some are now bracing for higher costs of another kitchen staple; garlic. Again, a supply…
Sri Lanka
Concern over governmental intention to withdraw support for exporters and importers
The Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council has a history of more than 50 years, representing the interests of shippers on the Island. It was the first National Shippers' Council to be…


Start-ups present vision of more profitable and sustainable future in Berlin
New technologies that can transform the business are waiting to be discovered from 8 to 10 February 2023 at Fruit Logistica in Berlin. “Fruit and veg suppliers across the world are under enormous pressure to cut costs and reduce their environmental impact,” says Kai Mangelberger, director of the trade…
Sorma Group at Fruit Logistica 2023
New product for cluster tomatoes and weighing machine
Fruit Logistica will soon be here, and Sorma Group is ready to take part in the fruit and vegetable sector’s biggest international show with a new product for cluster tomatoes…

Record participation for Belgium at Fruit Logistica 2023
From February 8 to 10, 2023, 32 potato, fruit, vegetable, and fruit tree suppliers, three industry organizations, and four fruit and vegetable cooperatives from Belgium will be at Fruit Logistica. They will jointly be at the Flemish Center for Agricultural and Fisheries Marketing (VLAM) stand, A 22, in…

Ecuadorian banana exporter aiming for double-digit growth in sales
The Ecuadorian banana exporter, Freskbana aims to maintain their double-digit growth in sales during 2023 following a challenging season for the industry last year. According to Gaetano Leone, managing director of Freskbana: “Our long-term vision to plan and the versatility to execute in the short-term…

Ecuador’s 2022 banana exports -6.57% down, 24.94 million fewer boxes sent
Ecuador, the world leader in banana exports, had a year to forget with an estimated loss of over $258 million, and -6,57% decrease in exports from January to December 2022. This large drop is mainly due to the Russian war in Ukraine, internal strikes and the dollar appreciation against the Euro.…

Colombian banana producers comply with new EU worker salary standards
The Association of Banana Growers of Colombia (Augura) and its members, producers, and international marketers announced that they comply with the new requirements demanded by the European Union as of 2023, where salary valuation is highlighted as an important factor for agribusiness collaborators.…
Vegetables more »

Kaluga region of Russia exports 645 tons of mushrooms
The Interregional Department of Rosselkhoznadzor summed up the results of exports from the Kaluga region. The department reports that in 2022, the region's farmers sent 645…
The contracting period ends on January 31
Garlic insurance returns to normal after two years of high incident rates
After two years of negative results, with more than 45 million euro of compensation in the 2020 and 2021 campaigns, last year, garlic insurance -which gives ample coverage to…

Pepe Ortuño, from SAT Olé:
“The artichoke processing industry should also adapt to the Green Queen”
The fields of the largest artichoke production area in Spain have been covered with a layer of ice for several days, which will have a considerable impact on production. “There have been frosts recorded from Alicante to Lorca, and in the Guadalentín Valley almost all the fields are affected,” stated Pepe…
Bananas more »

Average wholesale prices of bananas in Europe
EU three-week average price of European bananas at €101 per 100 kgs in week 2 of 2023
In week 2, the three-week average wholesale prices of bananas from Latin America stood at €112/100 kgs. Average wholesale prices of bananas from Latin America were at €119/100 kgs in the Netherlands. Prices in Belgium stood at €96/100 kgs, while Italians paid €129/100 kgs and the French paid €115 per 100…
Potatoes and Onions more »
Upgraded facility will accommodate innovative potato research
Governments of Canada and Manitoba invest nearly $100,000 to upgrade horticulture storage facility
The governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing $98,970 through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to upgrade the University of Manitoba’s horticulture storage…

Filipino president Marcos wants meeting to discuss high prices of imported onions
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a stakeholders’ meeting next week after discovering that imported onions are sold up to ₱ 200 per kilo. Presidential Communications Office…
Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables more »

Peter Turner – Soreli
New generation kiwis find firm footing in the right South African localities
The advent of Actinidia chinensis yellow and red kiwi selections with lower chilling requirement has opened the door for South Africa, which had a stab at creating a kiwi industry in the 1980s, but with a focus on green kiwis “South Africa’s big opportunity is not to be a big player but to be a player of…

Malaysian Ministry aims for fruit export growth this year
The Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) is targeting fruits export to increase in several foreign countries this year. Malaysia’s fruits, mainly durian…

Almost 3,000 tons of Vietnamese produce exported to China via Lạng Son's border gates
Exports of agricultural and fruit products, mainly dragon fruit and mango, reached approximately 2,700 tons to China through Lạng Sơn Province border gates on January 24. It…

Focus Fresh GmbH
Yeter Güner of Focus Fresh Ltd on fruit imports from Turkey:"We are now offering organic Turkish pomegranates for the first time"
As one of the most important source countries for fruit and vegetables, Turkey, is also confronted with considerable cost increases in the areas of production and fruit logistics. "A certain reluctance to buy is being felt, which is simply having an impact on the volume purchased by our customers -…

Candy MacLaughlin - Skybury Farms
Increasing consumer consumption is the key to growth in 2023 for a North Queensland Papaya grower
A leading North Queensland papaya grower says it is important to increase consumer awareness of the fruit, and in turn consumption, to help grow the category and help meet rising production costs. Skybury Farms, General Manager Candy MacLaughlin says input costs over the past twelve months across the…

“The red guava would be an exclusive, ultra-exotic fruit in this market”
The red guava season has recently kicked off in India. The history of India and guava is a long one, says Kaushal Khakhar, CEO of Indian fresh produce exporter Kay Bee Exports: “India has a long-lasting and extensive expertise at growing various varieties of guava. For several years, it has remained the…
Aimed at the upcoming 2023 kiwifruit season
Seeka collaborates with Ministry of Social Development to deliver series of job expos
Over 400 jobs are up grabs as this year’s Kiwifruit season takes off in Taitokerau, and there’s something for everyone. Horticulture employer Seeka has collaborated with…
Malaysia
Desaru Fruit Farm loses RM600,000 due to flood
The well-known Desaru Fruit Farm in Malaysia has suffered losses of about RM600,000 (€132,000) after 90 per cent of its orchard was flooded. Desaru Fruit Farm director Alice…

Garlic may be next to experience supply troubles and price hikes in Philippines
As Filipinos slowly try to recover from months of inexplicably high onion prices, some are now bracing for higher costs of another kitchen staple; garlic. Again, a supply…
Company news more »

Fresh produce chain hit by Lakeside Produce’s bankruptcy
The bankruptcy of Lakeside Produce will affect the complete North American fresh produce industry, as many of the 300 creditors are from the fresh produce chain. The company…
Greenhouse more »

Village Farms raises $25 million
Village Farms, the produce grower that also grows cannabis under the Pure Sunfarms banner, has raised $25 million. The capital was raised through the sale of shares and warrants with a combined price…
Logistics more »

Drewry
World Container Index - 26 JanDrewry’s composite World Container Index dropped 2% this week
Drewry’s composite World Container Index decreased by 2% to $2,046.51 per 40ft container this week. The composite index has dropped by 78% when compared with the same week last year. The latest Drewry WCI composite index of $2,047 per 40-foot container is now 80% below the peak of $10,377 reached in…

Europe to Asia reefer rates slide
Freight rates on the Europe to Asia trades have begun to follow the wider container market down after a period of resistance. According to a market update from freight rate…
Machinery more »

TOMRA Food
How citrus packhouses can improve profitability with the latest sorting and grading solutions
Citrus packhouses are striving to meet evermore demanding quality expectations, yet must also increase quantities and improve yields. This is a tricky balancing act, but it can be done, as Clinton Jeffries, Global Category Director Citrus at TOMRA Food, explains. The fact that consumers are getting…
General fresh produce more »

Russia and Turkey intend to strengthen control over the supply of fruits and vegetables
Negotiations between representatives of the Rosselkhoznadzor and the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkey took place via video link, to discuss how to strengthen the control over…

Market with cheap vegetables and fruits to be launched in Omsk, Russia
Alexander Burkov, governor of the city of Omsk at a press conference, which took place on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, announced the launch of a logistics center for fruit and…
Sri Lanka
Concern over governmental intention to withdraw support for exporters and importers
The Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council has a history of more than 50 years, representing the interests of shippers on the Island. It was the first National Shippers' Council to be…
Management more »

New CEO appointed for the National Fruit Show
The Marden Fruit Show Society (MFSS) has appointed Sally Flanagan, a long-standing committee member and former Executive Director of The East Malling Trust as its new Chief…
Miscellaneous more »

interestingengineering.com
Pakistan's LNG crisis sparks dangerous 'bag gas' trade
Locals of Karak district in northwest Pakistan are using hoses to siphon gas from main supply lines and filling plastic bags with natural gas to bring it to their homes for cooking. These risky and illegal means to obtain natural gas for their households' cooking needs show great desperation and failure…
Fruit more »

Polish apple trader hopes that Red Jonaprince and Idared varieties will perform well in second half of the season
“We did sell much more of Gala variety”
The sales of Polish apples has been rather stable, but there was one specific variety that did exceptionally well in Western Europe, says Jakub Krawczyk, export manager for Polish apple exporter Appolonia. “We sold similar amounts of apples as we did during other seasons and quantities that we have left…

Uppal brothers revolutionise fruit packaging in Shepparton, Australia
Sunny Uppal has worked at his family-owned fruit orchard in Shepparton in regional Victoria since 2003 alongside his brothers Jaswant Uppal and Sam Uppal. The trio have now…

“Turkish apple exports mainly went to India, Russia and Syria”
Their first apple export season in 2021 had its challenges, but Turkish produce exporter Ani Tarim is very confident about the current Turkish apple season, says Mehmet Çakmak, sales and marketing manager for the exporter. “Our ongoing apple and pomegranate export programmes make us quite happy, so far…

Ukraine exported record high volumes of raspberries in 2022
According to EastFruit analysts, Ukrainian producers were able to increase exports of frozen raspberries in 2022 beating the previous record! This is especially amazing…
However, dependence on markets of ex-CIS remains high
Moldova sharply increased exports of table grapes to the EU
Representatives of the Association of Grape Producers and Exporters of Moldova noted that in 2022 exports of table grapes from Moldova to Romania almost doubled compared to…
Herbs more »

Andrew Smith - Butler Market Gardens
"No other herb brand in Australia has such an extensive range of punnets and sleeves which are fully barcoded"
Butler Market Gardens has been established for decades, CEO Rick Butler is the 6th generation of the family owned business based in Heatherton, Melbourne. The company specialises in a wide range of vegetables and herbs. In 2018 they launched the Butler Gourmet Pantry range. "From a strategic perspective we…
Agenda more »
February 2023
Multi-million agriculture deals might be struck at Africa Agri Expo in Nairobi
As investors are getting ready for the 6th edition of Africa Agri Expo (AAE) in February 2023, sources claim that agriculture deals worth multi-million dollars might be…
Citrus more »

Citrus growing in Florida still perseveres focuses on juice market
As has been reported for years now, Florida's citrus crop has been decreasing and things are not yet looking to be picking up. Centuries ago, growing and producing citrus…

A look at South Carolina citrus
Citrus has been making its way north in recent years. So far, growers in North Florida and Georgia have had success producing the crop, with only minor incursions of HLB, the disease that has been…

Citrus grower fights to keep crop healthy as Phoenix area is faced with cold spell
Arizona citrus growers are working hard this week to keep their plants thriving during this cold snap as overnight temps are hovering around the freezing mark. Fortunately,…

USDA
Citrus: World Markets and TradeSouth Africa tangerine/mandarin exports forecast to reach a record 560,000 tons in 2022/23
South Africa exports of tangerines/mandarins are forecast to grow by almost 8 percent in 2022/23 to reach a record 560,000 tons on higher production and strong overseas demand. The European Union and the United Kingdom account for 45 percent of total South Africa exports followed by Russia (10 percent)…
Organic more »

Berries are top organic category
2022 US organic produce sales down in volume, up in sales
Organic fresh produce sales grew by 3 percent in 2022, while volume declined by –3.7 percent, as total sales topped $9.4 billion for the year, according to the 2022 Organic Produce Performance Report released by Organic Produce Network and Category Partners. The organic fresh berry category was the top…
Health more »

Consuming more vegetables might benefit your prostate
Faced with a diagnosis of stage four prostate cancer, surfing writer Tim Baker decided to try different diets including vegan, vegetarian and keto. After seeing a…
IT more »
Dr. Kristian Möller, Managing Director of FoodPlus, on GLOBALG.A.P.'s IFA Standard V6:
"We offer the industry a solution that maps consensus from multiple perspectives"
Since April 2022, producer companies can prepare for certification with the latest version of the IFA standard V6 from GLOBALG.A.P.. "We are trying to improve the efficiency…
Innovations more »

GreenOnyx
Israeli startup growing ready-to-eat duckweed-based green for daily intake
GreenOnyx has developed a sterile, fully autonomous modular tech farm to grow fresh ready-to-eat duckweed-based green superfood for daily intake. An Israeli agritech startup that set out on a mission to make highly nutritious superfoods as accessible to the masses as Diet Coke recently revealed what it…
Processed fruit and vegetables more »
Japanese makers of Tropicana fined 19 million yen
Tropicana fruit drink: “100% Melon” juice only contained just 2% melon juice
In September of 2022, the juice brand Tropicana was put in the spotlight in Japan over what was called ‘deceptive marketing’. The case concerned Tropicana 100% Whole Fruit…
Cooling more »
Letter of Acceptance handed over for development of five Horticulture Clusters
Agriculture Secretary Shri Manoj Ahuja inaugurates one-day India Cold Chain Conclave
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, along with PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI) in association with National Centre for Cold Chain Development (NCCD) as a…
Food safety more »

New FDA rule aims to reduce illness, deaths from food
Every year, an estimated 48 million Americans get sick from bacteria and viruses in their food. Now, the Food and Drug Administration is trying to reduce the number of…
Nuts and dried fruits more »

Mexico offers potential to grow date industry
Medjool dates are known to be grown in the Middle East and Africa, but the Bard Valley region in the United States is a well-known sweet spot for Medjools as well. However, more recently production into Mexico has witnessed an expansion. “In Mexico’s Sonora desert, the climate and growing conditions are…
Packaging and Labelling more »

Study reveals environmental benefits of modified atmosphere packaging
StePac, L.A. Ltd. analyzed supply chains it is closely involved with to assess how its packaging preserves the quality of fresh produce during handling, shipping and storing, and by doing so reduces waste and saves GHG emissions. The company commissioned researchers at Wageningen Food & Biobased Research…

Fibre-based packaging provider makes €11 mln. investment in retail packaging
Solidus Solutions invests €11 million into FUTURLINE, a range of innovative retail ready packaging solutions, including skin packaging, MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging) and punnets which are already being rolled out across Benelux, France, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom and Spain. Driven by the…
Climate more »

California rains highlight inability to capture enough rainwater
It’s been said that California doesn’t have a water issue but rather a water storage issue. Following recent record rains and even flooding in the state, where does that leave things? “A lot of water came down in California. There was the ability to catch some of it, but the main problem here continues…
Retail more »

Dreamstime
Morrisons has revealed its sales and profits fell last year even as it put prices upBestway has built a 3.45% stake in Sainsbury's, not considering offer
UK: AF Blakemore appoints Carol Welch as new CEOAF Blakemore, one of the UK's largest privately owned family businesses, is pleased to announce that Carol Welch will join as Chief Executive in April, succeeding Jerry Marwood who is leaving to focus more time on his non-executive directorships and…