Photo Report New York Produce Show

The New York Produce Show held its annual event in New York City on Wednesday, December 6. For most of the day, it felt busy and lively on the show floor. It’s a regional show that traditionally sees a high number of attendees from the Northeastern part of the US. “There are many reasons to go to New…

Mobile-based resource to help manage pests and diseases in crops

The MyIPM for Vegetables app is the latest in the MyIPM app series. MyIPM for Vegetables currently offers resources for tomatoes and cucurbits, which includes cucumbers, pumpkins, squash and watermelons. Rebecca Melanson, plant pathologist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, who…

"Getting TOVs from regular Dutch growers again"

Last year, high energy prices meant there was little supply from those countries' greenhouses, so supermarkets had to switch to imports from Southern Europe. How are things looking this year? We approached Lidl Netherlands for more insight into their supplies and strategies for the upcoming winter…

Recommendations for Minister of Food to enhance food security

A parliamentary committee in Australia has recommended the establishment of a minister for food and the creation of a food council to enhance the nation's food security. The year-long inquiry focused on strengthening and safeguarding Australia's food security, examining production, supply chains, key…

Fruit-vegetable Monitor to be launched in January

First came the Tomato monitor, then the Soft Fruit and Exotics ones. Now, the crowd-sourcing platform Roamler is introducing a fourth monitor to its fruit and vegetable sector services: the Fruit-vegetable Monitor. "Continuous market interest led to us deciding to launch this monitor. It focuses entirely on all fruit and vegetables, excluding tomatoes. Subscribers can…

EU largest citrus producer despite Spanish drought

The EU produces a wide range of fruit, berries andnuts. A total of 25.4 million tonnes were harvested in2022 (excluding citrus fruit, grapes and strawberries),of which 14.7 million tonnes were pome fruit (applesand pears), 6.3 million were stone fruit (such as peaches,nectarines, apricots, cherries and…

Botswana extends ban on South African fresh produce

The South African government has urgently requested a meeting with Botswana officials following the extension of a ban on fresh produce imports from South Africa until 2025. The ban, initially implemented in 2022 to support Botswana's local agriculture sector by reducing reliance on imports, has been…

VerticalFarmDaily.com

Can CEA truly tackle the water crisis?

The UAE is a big contributor when it comes to desalinating its water used for agriculture. However, it seems that this valuable resource is becoming more and more scarce. So what can be done to further regulate the use of this precious resource in agriculture? Water independence Alexei Levene, Co-Founder…

Giovanelli Fruchtimport AG

"The Engrosmarkt continues to be an important indicator for us"

"After almost 15 years, we wanted to give our existing stand a new, contemporary and, above all, attractive look to emphasize our slogan 'Competence in freshness'. We also believe in the positive business development of the Engrosmarkt business," says Raphael Weiss, Managing Director of Swiss fruit…

© Andreysha | Dreamstime.com

Registration open for the Kentucky Fruit & Vegetable Conference

The Kentucky Fruit & Vegetable Conference registration is now open. The event is scheduled for January 3-4 (Wednesday and Thursday), with pre-Conference events on Tuesday, January 2. The full conference program and registration instructions are available here. The annual Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable…

From high-tech to lower-quality products that are acceptable to different demographics

"We often think of food security problems, e.g., 70% of the food needed in 2050, but interestingly, nobody double clicks on where. It's not an equally distributed problem. The population is growing in Africa, the Middle East, and South Africa, yet it's shrinking, flat, or soon to shrink everywhere else.…

Murcia seeks to increase fruit and vegetable exports to the United States

The Region of Murcia's horticultural sector is seeking to boost its exports to the United States by participating in the New York Produce Show and Conference. The Association…

Jamaican consumers facing significant increase in cost of basic vegetables

Opposition Member of Parliament for Clarendon South Western, Lothan Cousins, has expressed concern over the significant increase in the cost of basic vegetables in Jamaica, stating that the majority of consumers are facing a crisis when shopping for groceries. This comes in response to a statement from…

© Pressmaster | Dreamstime.com

UK: Defra called to publish impact assessment of farm policies to avoid “sleepwalking” into food crisis

Conservative MP Julian Sturdy, chair for the APPG on Science and Technology in Agriculture, has called for Defra to publish material on the impact of its Environmental Land Management (ELM) and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) policies to see evidence that their strategies are maintaining national…

“Egypt's imports may not be easily reduced, and could even increase”

If we compare the data on imports of Egyptian oranges in Spain between 2022 and 2023, it is undeniable that purchases have skyrocketed dramatically in just one year. According to Datacomex data, while in all of 2022 imports totaled 61.40 tons, in the period from January to September 2023 (the months for…

Friedhold GmbH

"Support your Farmer" enables regionality and short distances

More than 400 farmers have already set up an online farm store with the help of Bremen-based company "Friedhold". There is now the "Support your Farmer" app, which end customers, i.e. consumers, can use to order goods for collection. A delivery service for parts of Bremen's city center has recently been…

Seasonal winter veg increase in price in the wholesale markets

This weeks UK wholesale prices show a drop of 20% in early season apple prices compared to last week, with late season apples dropping by 11%. Doyenne du Comice pear price increased by4%. As Christmas gets closer the price of Brussels sprouts went up by 9%, cabbage increased by 4% and Savoy cabbage by…

"The demand for Spanish kakis increases every year"

"In general, sales are very slow," said Pieter de Ruiter, from the Dutch 4Fruit Company. "The volumes of fruit and vegetables currently being shipped are not large, and no surpluses are building up either. The demand is lagging, but prices are high. We are seeing that. for example, with Spanish…

“Supermarkets make substantial profit on fruit and vegetables”

Foodwatch, Familles Rurales, UFC-Que Choisir and CLCV are denouncing the excessive margins in supermarkets. The 4 consumer associations decided to call on the French government at the end of November, citing a “scandal of the two-tier system behind the soaring food prices.” In their view, “two-thirds of…

Farmers call for price transparency beyond supermarket inquiry

Australia’s peak farm body says farmers are fed up with being kept in the dark about what’s driving prices across the country’s agricultural supply chains. As pressure mounts on supermarkets to come clean on their pricing strategies after a Senate inquiry was announced on the weekend, the National…

Retailers focused on holiday celebrations with offers

Ad numbers bounced back this week as new flyers replaced those that were extended over Thanksgiving. Retailers focused on holiday celebrations with offers designed to help shoppers maximize their budgets and fill stockings a little fuller. Holiday fruits like pomegranates, offshore cherries, cranberries,…

Blueberry imports from Peru expected to decrease seasonally

Movement of blueberries from Peru imports through Miami, Philadelphia, and New York ports of entry via boat expected to decrease seasonally. Trading moderate at lower prices. Flats 12 1-pint cups with lids large 26.00-32.00, flats 12 6-ounce cups with lids large 16.00-20.00. Quality is reported as good.…

"All our cucumbers grown under lights, and more tomato varieties"

Last year, high energy prices meant there was little supply from those countries' greenhouses, so supermarkets had to switch to imports from Southern Europe. How are things looking this year? We approached Dutch retailer PLUS for more insight into their supplies and strategies for the upcoming winter…

Belize sees an increase of 17% in cost of vegetables

The cost of vegetables in Belize is experiencing a significant increase, particularly in fresh vegetables, with an overall inflation rate of 17%. The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) reported that the food category registered an inflation rate of 11.5%. Notably, fresh vegetables, including cilantro,…

'Thanks for supporting fund to help rebuild Moroccan villages struck by earthquake'

On September 10th, 2023, Morocco experienced an earthquake that caused the collapse of thousands of villages in the High Atlas Mountains. The government and numerous associations have hurried to assist the villagers by procuring and distributing food, water, and basic necessities. Tents and mattresses…

Spain promotes sustainable and efficient irrigation with a public-private investment of €745 million

The Ministry and the State Mercantile Society of Agricultural Infrastructures (Seiasa) have signed three collaboration agreements that will involve mobilizing a public-private…

EU-27 fruit and vegetable exports to Canada are growing

The Community's fruit and vegetable export to Canada in 2022 grew by 13% in volume and 20% in value compared to 2021, totaling 89,959 tons and 128.6 million euros. Exports…

Moldovian authorities reject Russian ban on import of fruit and vegetables

Moldovan authorities have rejected the recent ban imposed by Russia on the import of Moldovan fruit and vegetables, escalating tensions between the two nations. Russia's agricultural oversight agency, Rosselkhoznadzor, reinstated restrictions last imposed in 2022, citing the "continuous, systematic…

Multiple factors contribute to increase in fresh price in Malta

Shortages in local agricultural production are driving an anticipated rise in the prices of fruits and vegetables in Malta, according to Joe Cassar, the manager of the Farmers' Central Cooperative Society (FCCS), the largest farming cooperative in the country. This upward trend in prices is expected in…

Surge in Vietnam's fruit exports due to increase in demand from China

In late November, a conference convened to assess the production outcomes of northern provinces in 2023 and outline plans for 2024. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hoang Trung, acknowledged the challenges posed by unfavorable weather conditions during the 2022-2023 winter-spring…

Sport: Rungis promotes "healthy eating"

Yesterday, Rungis Market announced that it was backing six French athletes as they prepare for upcoming sporting events. "Through this partnership, Rungis Market will offer these top athletes two baskets of fresh produce per month, featuring all the products sold at the MIN. Rungis Market has formed a…

US: Migrant labor on Georgia farms

On a farm in southwest Georgia, the rising sun is just beginning to shine upon acres of lush fall crops growing in neat rows. Migrant workers are hunched over, quickly picking the dew-covered leafy greens destined for grocery stores throughout the country. At the end of a hard day, they head home to a…

Brazilians who depend on the Amazon to make a living are faced with worst drought in region’s history

Everyone in Brazil who depends on the Amazon and its tributaries to make a living — from family farmers like Lira to owners of riverside restaurants and leaders of multinational firms — is reeling from the worst drought in the region’s history. It’s another stressor on the already fragile health of the…

"You can source more from Belgium"

Last year, high energy prices meant there was little supply from those countries' greenhouses, so supermarkets had to switch to imports from Southern Europe. How are things looking this year? We approached Belgium retailer Carrefour for more insight into their supplies and strategies for the upcoming…

Collaboration agreement to benefit 100,000 workers in Mexico

The Mexican Union of Agrochemical Manufacturers and Formulators (UMFFAAC) and the Mexican Association of Protected Horticulture (AMHPAC) signed a collaboration agreement that seeks to benefit 100,000 workers who work in more than 10,000 horticultural hectares in several states of the Mexican Republic.…

Crop damage caused by unseasonal rains climbs to 390,000 hectares in India

According to new estimates, the crop damage caused by the unseasonal rains over the last few days has climbed to 390,000 hectares. The maximum damage has been in Yavatmal, where 130,000 hectares of crops have been affected. In total, the damage is spread over 22 districts. The crops affected include…

Canadian fruit and veg growers optimistic as Bill C-280 moves to second reading

A bill that will provide fresh produce sellers in Canada with financial protection in case of buyer bankruptcy has moved to second reading in the Senate. Bill C-280, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act was adopted by the House of Commons on Oct. 25, with its…

US prices increased 0.9 percent for fresh fruits from September to October 2023

The all-items Consumer Price Index (CPI), a measure of economy-wide inflation, was unchanged from September 2023 to October 2023 and was up 3.2 percent from October 2022. The CPI for all food increased 0.3 percent from September 2023 to October 2023, and food prices were 3.3 percent higher than in…

“Compostable plastic packaging can change the produce market and the world”

It is clear that plastic waste is damaging to our planet and to human health. Scientists have found plastic waste almost everywhere on earth, where it disrupts ecosystems, contributes to climate change and threatens human health. “But, how to reduce this waste continues to be a major challenge, including…

"We must decide if we want an 'outsourcing' model in Morocco or to maintain a productive self-sufficiency"

"Since a few years ago, the indirect environment has been affecting cooperatives and companies in Almeria much more than our immediate environment," said Juan Carlos Perez Mesa, professor at the University of Almeria, in a presentation held recently in Almeria within the framework of the International…

UK fresh produce POS data service provides exclusive in-store information

A comprehensive, regular, and reliable data service for sellers of fresh and frozen produce has been relaunched to enable access to images and information that can only be discovered in UK stores. British Growers Insights is the UK’s largest and most up to date fresh and frozen produce point of sale data…

Alfafood GmbH

"On opening day, we already sold over a truckful of vegetables"

On November 20, the first franchise branch of catering wholesaler Alfafood GmbH opened its doors in Ingolstadt. On a spacious area of approx. 1,500 square meters, the cash & carry market stocks a carefully selected range of products, including a wide variety of fresh vegetables specially tailored to the…

Strike threatens to interrupt Argentine exports for three days

Yesterday, the ATE union launched a 3-day strike at SENASA, causing a complete halt to exports. The protest is set to take place from November 29th to December 1st, disrupting operations at ports, international airports, border crossings, and all customs offices. The union holds both the current and…

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Exports: Rosselkhoznadzor's findings on Kuzbass quarantined product imports

Upon importation into the territory of the Russian Federation, the Kemerovo Region – Kuzbass, officials of the Rosselkhoznadzor Directorate have monitored 11,453 tons of quarantined products over the first 10 months of 2023. The import of quarantined products in 2023 has decreased by 19% compared to the…

"Our fresh, organic herbs are 100% Belgian, year-round"

Last year, high energy prices meant there was little supply from those countries' greenhouses, so supermarkets had to switch to imports from Southern Europe. How are things looking this year? We approached ALDI Belgium for more insight into their supplies and strategies for the upcoming winter season. Aldi…

"Seed sector sees progress on the road to enhancing the multilateral system in 2025"

ISF welcomes the decision of the Governing Body setting out the next steps of the process concerning the enhancement of the Treaty’s Multilateral System and believes that at a time when the Treaty faces many challenges, this decision gives a chance to all stakeholders involved to succeed in the…

Agricultural organisations oppose proposal to inject coal waste into farm water supply

The National Farmers’ Federation is joining a growing chorus of peak agricultural organisations to oppose mining giant Glencore’s proposal to inject coal mine waste into Australia’s biggest underground water source. The carbon capture and storage proposal before the Queensland government involves a trial…

WTO members consider seven regional trade agreements

WTO members considered five regional trade agreements (RTAs) between the United Kingdom and various trading partners, namely Central America, the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and Mozambique, Moldova, Albania and Georgia. They also considered two RTAs between the European Free Trade Association…

Mexican exports will reach record high of nearly US $500 bln this year

Mexico should record its best year ever for exports, as the value of shipments sent abroad in October increased 5.6% compared to the same month of 2022. Mexican exports were worth US $51.97 billion in October, the national statistics agency INEGI reported this week, lifting the cumulative total for 2023…

The benefits of securing a PACA license for growers

In the volatile world of agriculture, unfortunate scenarios occasionally unfold where shippers, freezers, or marketing agents go out of business, leaving growers with unpaid…

Dreamstime.com

UK strengthens ties with Morocco, tripling fresh produce imports

There had been a marked increase in the procurement of Moroccan fresh produce by British consumers, surpassing traditional European sources. A recent report highlights a substantial escalation in the import of fruits and vegetables from Morocco, which nearly tripled from £158 million in 2018 to £408…

BLE

'Rainfall in the last week made harvesting conditions even more difficult'

In addition to the dominant domestic supply, potato imports from abroad also increased slightly. According to the BLE, demand could be met without difficulty. In Germany, there are still individual areas of potatoes that still need to be harvested. According to the trade media, the rainfall in the last…

BLE

'Turkish satsumas became more widely available'

As far as satsumas went, only Turkish imports could be acquired in Germany. These became more widely available. In terms of sizes, the fruits generally left nothing to be desired. As demand was good, they were usually easy to sell; in Berlin, they cost between €11 and €15 per 9 kg package. However,…

Modernizing for a more sustainable global food system

As a complex web of production, processing, transport, and consumption of food, the global food system stands at a critical juncture. Modern agricultural techniques can achieve unprecedented levels of food production. But the fresh produce industry is marred by inequities affecting millions of…

Study looks at future of water sustainability for Yuma farming

With 230,000 acres of land used for agriculture, Yuma county ranks third in the nation for vegetable production. However, as there are many instances of drought conditions and water shortages in the West, agriculture is at risk. To help address these issues, researchers in Arizona evaluated water…

Singapore Food Agency

Around 1.1 tons of illegally imported fruit & vegetables seized in Singapore

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has seized around 1.1 tons of vegetables and fruits illegally imported from Malaysia. On 14 and 15 November 2023, SFA and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) conducted a joint operation targeting delivery trucks which typically transport fresh and processed…

Dreamstime.com

Russia blocks Armenian imports over ‘sanitary concerns’

Russian customs have blocked the entry of a number of Armenian lorries for ‘violating sanitary measures’, as relations between the two countries continue to deteriorate. The lorries are believed to be carrying fruits, vegetables, flowers and fish. Russia has frequently introduced restrictions of imports…

Food inflation accelerates in South Africa as fruit and vegetable costs went up in October

South Africa’s inflation has picked up pace more than expected in October. Food inflation reversed course and for the first time in 6 consecutive months accelerated slightly by 0.8 ppt to 8.8% y/y in October 2023. Fruit inflation surged to a 34-month high of 8.5% year-on-year in October from 6.7%…

Bank of Kigali advises Rwandan agri-exporters on its financial solutions

Last week, Bank of Kigali officials engaged players in the agriculture sector, especially exporters, on some of the bank’s financing solutions aimed at helping them grow. This year, the bank announced plans to invest Rwf 150 billion over the next five years to support the agricultural sector in the…

Belgian strawberry prices crest peak

After peaking in week 45, Belgian cucumber prices fell slightly over the last two weeks. Week 47 cannot match the 2022 price but is well above the five-year average. The same…

Dreamstime.com

Maharashtra and Gujarat assess crop damage due to hailstorms and unseasonal rainfall

Hailstorms and unseasonal rainfall have damaged standing crops covering over 99,381 hectares in 17 districts of Maharashtra. According to preliminary estimates, the loss is over 300,000-400,000 hectares in Gujarat state. In Gujarat, State Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel said the government authorised…

44% farm income drop is a serious concern, says IFA president

IFA President Tim Cullinan said the 44% drop in farm incomes confirmed by Teagasc today was a huge concern particularly given the ongoing cost of living crisis. “Farmers’ cost of living as well as their cost of doing business has increased, yet their incomes have fallen by 44%. Yesterday we saw that…

EU extended duty-free imports of fruits, vegetables and nuts from Uzbekistan for another 4 years

In April 2023, EastFruit wrote that the European Union intends to extend Uzbekistan’s status as a beneficiary of the GSP+ system for a new cycle. At negotiations with representatives of the government of Uzbekistan, the EU delegation at that time noted that Uzbekistan had ratified the necessary…

Former Prime Minister encourages vegetable consumption to fight NCDs

Former Tanzanian PM Mizengo Pinda is pleading for a higher intake of fruits and vegetables, to lower the risks of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Many of these NCDs are associated with a sedentary lifestyle, but according to Pinda, inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption could also exacerbate the…

Dutch and Belgian cooperatives explore future collaboration

The Dutch growers' cooperative Koninklijke FruitMasters and Coöperatie Hoogstraten, a cooperative in Belgium, are exploring a future collaboration. FruitMasters supervisory…

Photo report: expoSE/expoDirekt trade fair duo

With around 430 exhibitors from 12 countries and numerous visitors from all over the world, the organizers of the expoSE/expoDirekt trade fair duo can look back on two successful trade fair days in Karlsruhe. Although the willingness to innovate and invest in the asparagus and strawberry industry…

Blockade of Poland-Ukraine border leads to increase in retail prices for imported goods

Polish truckers and farmers are staging an around-the-clock blockade of the southeastern Medyka crossing. This has resulted in lorries lining up at the Poland-Ukraine border. This blockade has significantly complicated the delivery of imported products from Europe, the priority of retail chains for…

Focus on agriculture in Bhutan as parties pledge new strategies

With only three days to primary round poll, political parties in Bhutan reiterated their strategies to improving the agricultural sector at the vice presidential debate. Agriculture, a major sector employing a significant portion of Bhutan’s population, features prominently across the manifestoes of all…

Dreamstime.com

FTAs help strengthen trade cooperation between Vietnam and Japan

Japan has signed the most bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) with Vietnam. According to Tran Quang Huy, Director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Asia-Africa Market Department, these open up many opportunities for stronger trade cooperation between the two nations. Vietnam and…

“The world needs 100% sustainable agriculture”

The strategic plans of the CAP 2023-2027, which are very much focused on the environment and agricultural policies in the EU, were the main topic of conversation during the second day of the International Congress of Producers' Organizations ICOP 2023, held in Almeria. Kristine Bori, from DG Agri; Adrián…

Forces combine to shield Australian vegetable industry from exotic pest threats

Australia’s vegetable industry is set to receive an unprecedented level of protection against exotic pests through a unique $10 million levy-funded collaborative biosecurity strategy. The Hort Innovation investment on behalf of growers will build the vegetable industry’s resilience to exotic pest threats…

How is fresh produce displayed in US stores?

Have you ever wondered what a fresh produce section looks like in US supermarkets? How do you imagine it: small, big, non-existent or replaced by frozen products? And what is the produce like, high or low-quality? And what about the prices? Can the US be the new market frontier for Italian entrepreneurs?…

Brussels greenlights EU-New Zealand trade deal

Brussels has given the final green light for an EU-New Zealand trade deal that, while mutually lowering barriers for both markets, highlights the recent failure of EU-Australia negotiations. The European Council, representing the EU's 27 member countries, said it adopted the New Zealand pact, setting it…

Goulburn Valley grower abandons crop blaming high mark-ups at supermarkets

A Victorian grower has called on the major supermarkets to drastically lower their prices for fruit and vegetables, as he thinks profit-gouging is hurting consumers and driving growers out of business. Ross Marsolino from Natural Earth Produce is a zucchini, tomato, and eggplant producer in Victoria’s…

The trade of produce and technologies with two African nations

A delegation has visited Mozambique and South Africa in view of the next edition of Macfrut. A double presentation that confirms the centrality of the African continent for the fair which, during its 41st edition (Rimini Expo Centre, May 8-10), will include an entire hall dedicated to Africa. Valentina Piraccini and Chiara Campanini from the the export office attended t…

Flood control measures in place in Kenya as Karimenu II dam fills up

The government has assured Kenyans of adequate flood control and drainage works measures to mitigate flooding and overflow of water from the Karimenu II dam. According to the Acting CEO in charge of Athi Water Works Development Agency, Engineer Joseph Kamau, revealed that the government has taken all…

Recycled phosphorus fertilizer reduces nutrient leaching, maintains yield

A promising new form of ammonium phosphate fertilizer has been field-tested by University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers. The fertilizer, struvite, offers a triple win for sustainability and crop production, as it recycles nutrients from wastewater streams, reduces leaching of phosphorus and…

Bananas from Colombia at £1.06: unchanged from 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 £0.88 for bananas…

Namibia’s horticultural exports more than doubled in the past seven years

Horticultural exports from Namibia have more than doubled in the past seven years; they reached a record value of N$1.7 billion, compared to N$674 million in 2016. The country primarily exports its fruits and vegetables to African countries, accounting for 50 percent of the total exports. The European…

“Climate change forces us to constantly evolve and find sourcing alternatives”

Climate change is resulting in more extreme weather events that are having a big impact on the fresh produce industry. This year in particular, many growing regions are faced with a delayed start of harvest as well as lower production volumes. Just to mention a few examples, mango production in South…

USDA

Movement of blueberries from Mexico expected about the same

Shipments for the holiday rush have largely wrapped up by this week, and many truckers prioritize time at home over the long weekend, while others will be charging premium rates to get a start on hauling goods for Black Friday shopping and beyond. The movement of blueberries from Mexico crossings through…

EU agri-food trade remained stable in summer 2023

After the slowdown of July 2023, the EU agri-food trade balance reached €5.7 billion in August 2023. The cumulative trade balance (from January to August 2023) reached €44.3 billion, which is €7.5 billion higher compared to the same period in 2022. These are the main findings of the latest monthly…

Dreamstime.com

Exports by Iranian rural cooperatives expected to increase by 300%

Exports by Iran’s rural cooperatives are expected to increase by 300 percent in the current Iranian calendar year as compared to the previous year. Ruhollah Latifi, the director general of the Business Monitoring and Development Office said that rural cooperatives in Iran exported over $135 million worth…

"It's crucial to promote urban farming to boost healthy eating habits in cities"

Walter Schettini is an urban farmer out of Rome who serves the southern part of the Italian capital with fresh organic produce. “We are certified organic,” he explains. “We mainly focus on seasonal produce, which we grow in soil.” Because of that, the veggies coming out of Azienda Agricola Caparbio vary…

Thousands of Sri Lankan workers plan to go to Israel, despite war

Amid Sri Lanka's economic crisis, 20,000 workers are set to depart for Israel to work in farming and construction despite the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Laknath Dias, a supermarket manager, is among those seeking better pay in Israel, hoping to earn nearly ten times his current salary. Israel,…

It's time for Australians to care about the future of fresh fruit, vegetables and nuts

Now is the time for the public to stand up and say, “we give a fork” about our growers, says Queensland’s state industry body for fruit, vegetables and nuts. The Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) association has launched their national campaign to encourage open conversations around the…

Minimum wage hike is quite challenging for UK agri sector

Jeremy Hunt’s recent Autumn Statement has raised concerns within the British agricultural sector, particularly regarding the impact of the increased minimum wage on farm labor. Land and estate agency GSC Grays highlighted the potential repercussions of the rise in the National Living Wage to £11.44 per…

Dreamstime.com

India wants to ship more agri items to Indonesia, hoping to bridge trade deficit

India is planning to further diversify its export basket with Indonesia by adding more agri products such as potato, onion, apples and grapes. This way, the Indian government hopes to the bridge trade deficit with Indonesia. A senior official at Indian embassy said: “We have been importing quite a…

Cornell receives USDA funding as part of specialty crop research initiative

The United States Department of Agriculture has announced funding to support different areas of the specialty crop industry, including $3 million to researchers at Cornell University to analyze storage methods for apple growers. “We all count on America’s specialty crops for reliable access to…

Ongoing conflict in Myanmar halts trade with Bangladesh

Importers are quite concerned as bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Myanmar through the Teknaf land port has effectively halted since November 14. The stoppage is due to the ongoing conflict between the Arakan Army (AA) and Myanmar's military junta in the Rakhine state. According to ASM Mosharaf…

South Africa saw renewed uptick in food inflation in October

South Africa’s inflation quickened more than expectations and edged closer to the upper end of the SARB’s target range of 3% to 6%, coming in 5.9% year-on-year 9 y-o-y) in October, from 5.4% y-o-y in September 2023. Food inflation reversed course and for the first time in six consecutive months…

BLE

'Demand for apples could be met without problems'

Domestic offerings remained at the top of the range, led by Elstar, Jonagold, Boskoop, Braeburn and Wellant. Santana, which is popular with allergy sufferers, also became more present. Italy was mainly involved with Golden Delicious and Royal Gala. The first Pink Lady from there arrived at various…

"The tough conditions will sort out resilient exporters"

"This season is shaping up to be even more complicated than last for the Moroccan agribusiness and fresh produce exports", announces Mostapha Mohattan, CEO of Fructimoor. Mostapha blames the same factors as many producers are complaining about, but assures that this difficult period will leave only the…

3,400 tons of fruits and vegetables were brought to Russia's Volgograd region from Iran

In 2023, the Volgograd region received a substantial influx of 3.4 thousand tons of fruit and vegetable products from Iran. The Regional Department Rosselkhoznadzor for the Rostov, Volgograd, and Astrakhan regions, as well as the Republic of Kalmykia, reported a remarkable 270% increase in the import of…

Dreamstime.com

Ethiopia sees USD 169 million in revenues from horti exports

In the initial quarter of the current Ethiopian fiscal year, more than USD 169.5 million was generated from the export of flowers, vegetables and fruits. According to Mekonnen Solomon, the Horticulture Export Coordinator at the Ministry of Agriculture, this performance surpassed 63.1 percent of the set…

Canadian fresh produce industry engages with Parliamentarians

The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) and the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) successfully concluded their annual joint advocacy event, Fall Harvest, which took place in Ottawa from November 20-22. L-R: Jan VanderHout, Colin Chapdelaine, Lawrence MacAulay, Ron Lemaire This year's…

New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement

A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is…

Guide showcases Tasmania’s seasonal fruit at farm gates

The Fruit Grower’s Tasmania Seasonal Produce Guide has been officially launched for another year showcasing some of the best, fresh food the state has to offer. Minister for Primary Industries and Water Jo Palmer joined Fruit Growers Tasmania CEO Peter Cornish at Willie Smiths in Ranelagh, to celebrate…

Australian biosecurity protection levy confronted with overwhelming opposition

Australian farmers have formed a nationwide united front against an ‘unfair’ biosecurity levy set to be introduced in July. Industry leaders across Australia’s $84.9 billion agriculture sector are condemning the tax. The overwhelming opposition was laid bare in an avalanche of submissions to the…

Interfel reaching the youth

On the 10th of November, 800 students from the Joseph Roumanille secondary school in Avignon took part in an annual cross-country race organized by the school's principal and teachers. Upon request from the school, the Interfel PACA committee (created this summer) organized an awareness-raising campaign at the event, about the…

Pakistan-Afghan trade at Chaman border halted for third day due to visa policy dispute

As thousands of protesters blocked the transit route in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan via the Chaman border crossing continued to remain at a standstill for a third consecutive day. Pakistan’s interim administration decided to introduce a strict visa…

“Almeria has one of the few profitable agricultural sectors in the European Union”

Taking into account the auctions it has in the province of Almeria and the marketing activity itself, La Unión provides commercial support to about 3,000 producers each season, handling an average of about 350 million kilos of fruit and vegetables annually. "Last year, we increased our turnover and…

Federal investment helps launch new Fiona recovery program for PEI agriculture operators

Funding is now available for agriculture operations across PEI who have been affected by extraordinary costs of restoring and rebuilding infrastructure due to Hurricane Fiona. The Prince Edward Island Agriculture Fiona Recovery Fund (PEIAgFRF) is open to agricultural operations who experienced…

Brussels adopts 2024 work program for food promotion

The European Commission has adopted the 2024 work program for the promotion of agri-food products, which will have a budget of 185.9 million euro that will mainly be used for…

Floods in northern France

“It rained again this week in the region,” while water had begun to recede at the end of last week. On Tuesday, the Pas-de-Calais department was again placed under orange alert for rain and floods. According to Vigicrues, this new rainfall is likely to cause rivers to rise again. © Capture France Info “Complete standstill for almost…

Dutch horticulture delegation is about to go to China, looking for closer cooperation

From November 26th to November 30th, a Horticulture Trade Mission to China will take place. A total of 19 Dutch companies and institutes will join the mission, headed by Mr. Marcel van Raaij, acting director of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food…

India works towards building sea protocols for fresh fruits and vegetables

India is working towards building sea protocols for several fresh fruits and vegetables such as bananas, mangoes, pomegranates and jackfruit, intending to boost their exports via ocean routes. Additional Secretary of the Commerce Ministry, Rajesh Agrawal, explained that the majority of the exports are…

‘RCEP is a great catalyst for cross-border trade, economic integration in Asia-Pacific’

According to a Cambodian official, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, which entered into force last year, is a catalyst for cross-border trade and economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region. Sok Siphana, a senior minister in charge of special mission, said the world's…

Heavy rains double crop prices in Tanzania

The prices of some horticulture crops have over doubled since the torrential rain started in Tanzania late last month. The prices of tomatoes, onions and green peppers skyrocketed after rains wreaked havoc on road infrastructure, making it difficult to transport goods from farms to markets. Ilala market…

"Sometimes it takes years to introduce a product, but the power of repetition works"

"The power of repetition is paramount," begins Joost van Altena of the Dutch fruit and vegetable hospitality wholesaler Miedema-AGF. "I bring typical seasonal products like Flower Sprouts and Bloemendaal yellow cabbage to my customers' attention every year. Chefs can use these to stand out with something…

NSW Farmers joins campaign against anti-farming policies

NSW Farmers has thrown its support behind an unprecedented national campaign against anti-farming policies. Liverpool Plains farmer and NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said the Australian agriculture industry was united in its stand to call on Federal parliamentarians to stand up against policies…

CDTI from Spain commits to introducing new tech in key Moroccan sectors

The Spanish Centre for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI) wants to introduce new information technologies in the infrastructure, automotive and agriculture sectors in Morocco. This was announced on Tuesday by the director general of the CDTI, Javier Ponce, at a seminar organised in Rabat.…

Kenya improves access to EU fresh produce market

According to Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis) Managing director Theophilus Mutui, the agency, in collaboration with other government authorities, has managed to ensure proper documentation, curbing interceptions of exported produce. In months past, Mutui disclosed, notifications have…

© Somphoto | Dreamstime.com

USDA partners with Rhode Island to award over $1.5M to strengthen food supply chain infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service today announced it has a cooperative agreement with Rhode Island under the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI). Through this agreement, USDA and Rhode Island are working together to offer over $1.5 million in…

Canadian produce industry advocates for affordable healthy food for Canadians

The Canadian produce industry met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held last week in San Francisco. The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), represented by Colin Chapdelaine, CPMA chair and president of berry operations at Star Produce,…

Bananas from Ecuador come in at £1.06 in UK

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 stood at £1.04 for bananas…

Encore Consumer Capital announces its 5th investment in perishable distribution

Encore Consumer Capital, a private equity firm that invests exclusively in leading consumer products companies, is pleased to announce its portfolio company Tourtellot & Co., Inc. has completed the acquisition of Ryeco Inc. from the Reilly family, who continue to be an owner in the combined business.…

NSW Farmers welcomes Minns government’s $250 million drought fund

NSW Farmers applauds the Minns government’s new $250 million Drought Ready and Resilient Fund, designed to assist farmers in preparing and responding to drought conditions. NSW Farmers’ President, Xavier Martin, said the clarity the government has provided early in the drying cycle will help farmers with…

USDA

US aisles were bursting with celery, sweet potatoes, asparagus, Brussels' sprouts and more

There is no need to guess what the major focus was for grocery stores this week. Retailers had everything on hand for traditional meals as well as for modern takes on Thanksgiving dinner. The aisles were bursting with holiday staples like celery, sweet potatoes, asparagus, Brussels' sprouts, cranberries,…

Fruit and vegetable exports Vietnam reach new heights

From January to October, Vietnamese vegetable exports reached over 4.9 billion USD, up nearly 80% year-on-year. Since the beginning of the year, the country has also received a large number of orders for high-value products such as durians, mangos, and jackfruits. According to the Vietnam Fruit and…

"Overall, we can look back on a successful German fruit and vegetable season"

With the arrival of the last tomatoes and sweet peppers from northern German production, the domestic fruit vegetable season is now nearing its end. "The quality of the last few trains was actually quite good. Sales were also quite pleasing throughout the entire campaign, although marketing is currently…

What will happen to the water supply in agriculture as a result of climate change?

Extreme weather events, dry soils, and concerns about the water supply: The consequences of climate change are already being felt in some parts of the world, such as Spain. At the 7th Organic Vegetables and Potatoes Expert Forum in Visselhövede, representatives of the German Weather Service and the Lower…

USDA

Movement of blueberries from Peru expected to remain about the same

This year, consumers are expected to pay a little more for their Thanksgiving dinner when compared to last year. Although 2023 estimates are not yet available, the Consumer Price Index shows food at home prices up 2.4% this year. A year ago, the average cost for 10 people was around $64.05. Labor and…

IFPA talks food affordability, packaging policy with Canadian Prime Minister

With increasing consumption of fresh produce as its top priority, on November 15, International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) CEO Cathy Burns and VP of Innovation Vonnie Estes, attended a roundtable meeting focused on U.S. and Canadian consumer food affordability with Canadian Prime Minister Justin…

Monsoon impacts vegetable production

The prices of various vegetables from Cameron Highlands are anticipated to surge by up to 40% in the coming weeks, due to the monsoon season adversely impacting crop production. The president of the Cameron Highlands Malay Farmers Association, Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Syed Abdul Rashid, pointed out that…

Zimbabwe's horticultural sector is seeing recovery due to investment

Zimbabwe's horticultural sector, severely affected by violent land seizures two decades ago, is experiencing a recovery driven by increased investment. The industry is aiming to achieve $1 billion in exports by 2030, according to the Horticultural Development Council (HDC). In 1999, Zimbabwe's…

Extreme weather conditions lead to shortages of fresh produce on Barbados

Extreme weather conditions in Barbados, including extreme heat, have led to shortages of local produce and subsequent price hikes. Chief Agricultural Officer Keeley Holder is optimistic that farmers' yields will rebound in the coming months, addressing the increased demand for the Christmas season. The…

BLE

'Potato marketing was uneventful'

The marketing of ware potatoes was uneventful overall. The choice of varieties did not change significantly and demand was easily met. According to the BLE, there were no fundamental movements in prices. Rhineland-Palatinate:The harvest has been completed for local producers since the end of October. With…