USDA

Cranberries made their first appearance in ads this week

Cranberries made their first appearance in ads this week, adding extra fall glory to the growing array of pumpkins, acorn and butternut squashes, cabbage, and potted mums. All things pumpkin spice are heavily featured, sometimes in stand-alone sections. Total ad numbers this week were 291,792, a 1%…

USDA

Retailers are filling up their bins with fall favorites

This week, we saw much of the summer produce go by the wayside as retailers filled up their bins with fall favorites. As inflation continues to show signs of cooling off, some food items are still a little higher than the average consumer would like. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, food…

Spain Foodtech Startups Program Reveals 2023 Cohort of Agrifood Pioneers

Spain Foodtech Startups Program announces its 2023 cohort, with four Spanish startups leading the new agrifood revolution with innovative technologies, natural alternatives,…

Paraguay and the United States trade deal extended until 2025

Authorities from Paraguay and the United States have agreed to extend until 2025 an agreement in place since 2019 to expedite the exchange, marketing, importation, and…

Summer campaign coming to an end, a few winter productions now starting

"The summer campaign of products such as carosello melons, zucchini and Barattì is coming to an end. The table grapes season in instead in full swing with good sales volumes and higher prices than 2022. If we exclude the areas hit by the latest storm, we can see that the weather is also helping achieve…

"Indian sweet corn is very well received on the fresh market"

The outlook for the coming pomegranate season in India is particularly good. Exports of the established Bhagwa pomegranates are generally from November to March. "Indian pomegranates are slightly higher priced when sold, but those who value quality and taste are usually willing to pay this higher price.…

Fruit and vegetable growers welcome release of positive temporary foreign worker employer compliance statistics

The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) welcomes the release of findings by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) from its recent compliance activities aimed at protecting temporary foreign workers during their employment in Canada. The results from ESDC show that of their…

Lebanese horticulture’s future lies in top quality and niche products

A chamber of commerce registers new companies and gives business owners information and advice. In Lebanon, growers can call on the knowledge and experience of people like Dr. Rola Arouni and Elie Massoud. We spoke to both, touching on several topics, including the Lebanese sector’s sticking points and…

G's Growers receive top agritech honors at FPC Fresh Awards 2023

The FPC Fresh Awards 2023, held at the esteemed Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Friday, September 29, saw the largest turnout ever recorded. The gala evening was hosted by…

‘Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership heralds new waves of trade’

As a result of the newly-signed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the US, American exporters are setting their sights on delivering a wider range of…

Rising farm costs threatens UK food production

According to a recent survey of UK farmers, there is growing concern in the agri industry over input costs. More than 300 growers responded to a wide range of questions…

‘Expanding Farm-To-Market Road network will increase farm output in the Philippines’

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants to increase the production of high-value crops by expanding the Philippines’s farm-to-market road (FMR) network. He recently stated:…

Annapolis Valley growers spared significant damage from storm Lee

Annapolis Valley farmers are breathing a sigh of relief, as the damages caused by post-tropical storm Lee are not too bad. Lee made landfall on Long Island, Digby County, on…

Australian farmers lose confidence as government risks Middle Eastern gaffe

In a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, farming groups have expressed frustration and warned of irreversible harm to the agricultural sector and to Australia’s trade…

‘Extortion is affecting Mexican economy just too much’

In one of Mexico's most violent regions, cultivation areas are being abandoned by their owners due to widespread extortion squeezing Latin America's second-largest economy. As…

Here are seven fruits and vegetables to consume during a heat wave

Faced with the heat wave that hits Brazil this week, experts recommend paying attention to the body's signals to avoid the damage that can occur on hot days — dehydration, low…

Seed meets Technology visitors 'ready to buy'

The ninth edition of the three-day international seed technology fair Seed meets Technology once again attracted an international and skilled crowd to Vertify's greenhouse complex in Zwaagdijk, which has been transformed into an exhibition complex. All the space is available was well utilized. They even…

UK govt allocates £12.5 million to projects focused on green farming innovation

The UK government has allocated £12.5 million to 19 innovative projects focused on the development of automation and robotic technologies aimed at enhancing productivity, food…

Farmers claim to be blindsided by a decision to remove water rights from NSW coast landholders

Farmers-irrigators are frustrated by the NSW government's cuts to coastal water rights ahead of an expected drought. The state government has reversed a decision by the former…

“We want to replicate our model in France and in Europe”

Atypique, a wholesaler specialized in downgraded fruit and vegetables, has raised 2.1 million euros in funding. Founded in March 2021 by Simon Charmette and Thibault Kibler in order to structure the BtoB downgraded fruit and vegetable sector, Atypique has “already succeeded in saving 2,000 tons of fruit…

Eight Innovative UK agritech scale-ups selected for second global incubator program

This week, the Global Incubator Program- Gateway to Australia started with an Official Launch event. This is the second program in the series delivered by Farmers2Founders in…

UK-EU body to meet ahead of next step in the Windsor Framework

The Windsor Framework, agreed on by the EU and UK in February, is the revised post-Brexit deal for Northern Ireland. Now, the UK-EU body overseeing the implementation of the…

BLE

'Spanish and Greek unloadings of table grapes narrowed'

Italian deliveries dominated: Besides Italia, Michele Palieri and Crimson Seedless, mainly Red Globe and Sugraone were ready. Victoria apparently lost importance, but there were more Regina and Pizzutello. Many different Arra and Sugra varieties completed the assortment. Spanish and Greek shipments were…

Hanoi People’s Committee promotes specialized farming areas

The Hanoi People’s Committee has issued a decision regarding the planning of specialized farming areas in the city. It means there will be 15 areas specializing in…

Commissioner Simpson estimates Florida's Hurricane Idalia agri losses at over $447 mln

Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ preliminary estimates of damage to Florida agriculture…

Top takeaways from Washington Conference

Hundreds of International Fresh Produce Association members descended on the nation’s capital for The Washington Conference. The event is for the produce and floral industry to come to Washington to hear from industry leaders, policy experts and influence policymakers. Attendees bring the produce…

Peppers pricey for this time of year

The peak prices for yellow and green peppers declined slightly again last week at VBT, but a rebound in the price of red peppers still makes for another high average price,…

GfK figures and trends on fruit and vegetable consumption in Germany presented by Ulrike Singer

What do consumers in Germany really buy, and how much do they spend on fruit and vegetables on average? Ulrike Singer, Director Team Lead in Consumer Panel Services at GfK, presented GfK's latest figures and trends at this year's German Fruit and Vegetable Congress, based on a survey of 13,000…

Migrants staying in Monastir, Sardinia, were put to work illegally

Police officials from the Sardinian city of Cagliari say they have dismantled a criminal organization that exploited more than 50 migrants who were recruited in hosting…

Sri Lanka hopes to open new export market in Hainan Province

According to Minister of Plantation Industries Dr. Romesh Pathirana, Sri Lanka is looking at opening up a new export market for local fruit and vegetables in China’s Hainan…

“40 years of exhibiting at trade shows has helped us grow globally”

It is a big anniversary year at Catalytic Generators. The company celebrates its 50th anniversary and this year also marks 40 years of exhibiting at IFPA’s Global Show, the former PMA Fresh Summit. Much has changed in the past half century, both in ethylene ripening as well as the trade show scene. When…

"This alliance marks an important step towards protecting and strengthening the global fruit and vegetable sector"

Fruitsbusiness, of RPJ Software Innovation Limited, is pleased to announce an unprecedented collaboration with CIAL Dun & Bradstreet, a prestigious US company specialized in providing business and financial information to companies globally. With more than 180 years of market experience, Dun & Bradstreet…

"Actually, 'normal' no longer exists"

Last week, Luc Vanoirbeek was elected to a third term as the European umbrella organization, Copa-Cogeca's chairperson. The freshly elected official is facing perhaps his most challenging term yet. "Firstly, of course, because of the sector's ever-increasing challenges, but new European elections are…

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…

Experts claim cap on grocery prices is a bad idea

Although the Victorian Greens want a cap on grocery prices to spare consumers’ wallets, experts suggest it could be a bad idea. Greens MP Sam Hibbins made the suggestion in…

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…

"We have the highest share of regional products in the entire food retail sector"

Despite a total area of about 6,000 square meters, the Globus market hall in Wesel is one of the smallest markets of the large hypermarket chain, Matthias Immesberger, division manager and assortment manager of GLOBUS Markthallen Holding GmbH & Co. KG, tells us on site. "But the fruit and vegetable area…

“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…

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…

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…

Exploration of underground water resources with interest-free instalment payments

After a very rainy June, HydroHunter Italy has been busy all summer searching for underground water. The mission of this company, based in Italy (Tuscany) but operating in many continents, is to help farmers who are having difficulty irrigating their fruit and vegetable crops, stressed by the heat and…

Lockyer Valley vegetable farm undergoing Clifton expansion with RED Grant

Lockyer Valley vegetable operation Jackwitz Farms is expanding onto the Darling Downs and creating up to 20 jobs thanks to a Rural Economic Development (RED) Grant. Jackwitz…

USDA

Number of ads for organic produce at 13% of total

The shift toward fall commodities is in full swing. Apple cider, pomegranates, pumpkins, and hard squash joined new crop apples and pears for festive displays. Ads for onions, potatoes increased this week as shoppers looked toward heartier fare. Cabbage and carrots were also popular. Naturally,…

USDA

Mexico crossings of asparagus through Arizona, California, and Texas expected to remain the same

Seasonal changes have led to a shift in the commodities of interest for this report. Asparagus has replaced blueberries, as the number of growing areas for shipping asparagus continues to grow while demand for blueberries is traditionally light in the fall. This list will be revisited regularly to…

"You need knowledge to convert local produce preference into effective buying behavior"

A smart harvesting robot that separates chicory heads from their roots. Fragile bell pepper plants growing up a rope. Or pheromone traps among apple trees that keep harmful insects at bay. BelOrta wants to show off fruit and vegetable cultivation craftsmanship with its pop-up exhibition 'RIJP, the art of…

Fruit and veg prices keep rising in Greece

Last August, fruit prices in Greece jumped 10.6% year-on-year and those of vegetables by 17.5%, while they increased by 14.15% and 12.04%, respectively, from January to…

US Senator Brown introduces Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act

US Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced the bipartisan Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act, legislation that would increase and improve the U.S. Department of Agriculture…

Hurricane Idalia caused between $80 million and $370 million in agri damages

One-third of Florida's farmland was damaged by Hurricane Idalia that raged last month. According to a new report by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture…

Vietnamese Jan-Sep fruit and vegetable exports at historical high

According to data from Vinafruit, the Vietnam Fruits and Vegetable Association, exports in the first three quarters of 2023 are worth an estimated US$4.1 billion, 24% more…

August continues positive July pound sales trends for fresh produce

August’s summer weather, time off and travel boosted restaurant dining. According to the Circana (formerly IRI) monthly consumer surveys with primary grocery shoppers, the share of all meals prepared at home averaged 76.8 percent in August 2023. “That marks a multi-year low and restaurants saw strong…

"Strangely enough, things like sweetcorn are mostly sold at markets"

With summer drawing to a close and the weather turning, Dutch wholesale markets' offerings are changing, too. "Many items like stone fruit and cherries are falling away, and soft fruit sales are noticeably declining. People have been eating those fruits all summer, so they're ready for something new…

Government in Morocco approves 5% minimum wage increase

The Moroccan government has officially approved a decree increasing the legal minimum wage for workers in agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. With inflation reaching 5%…

Pulling together all the strings of the South African fruit industry

At Fruit South Africa’s recent Asia Fruit Logistica stand, the high levels of interest in South African fruit were again evident. Fhumulani Ratshitanga, CEO of the umbrella body representing South Africa’s export fruit industries, remarks that despite some of their colleagues getting caught up in Hong…

"We source our produce via Fresh Park Venlo, the Düsseldorf wholesale market, and directly from local farmers"

As a regionally active wholesale company, BS Obst und Gemüse, based in Straelen, supplies a mixed clientele within a 100-km radius, consisting of restaurateurs, weekly market traders, specialty stores, and farm markets, as well as community catering. From the point of view of both goods procurement and…

The industry looks to the future

For the 13th time, representatives from the fruit and vegetable industry met at the German Fruit and Vegetable Congress at the Congress Center in the city of Düsseldorf. The event was again organized by GS1 Germany, Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft mbH, and Fruchthandel magazine. Over 400 visitors attended the event. Click…

What kind of fruits and vegetables would the Indian retail sector like to import from Europe?

India is the most populous country in the world. Its population is estimated at 1.428 billion, about 3 million more than China. There are obviously different types of consumers, including a few hundred million with remarkable purchasing power who prefer a specific level of quality in fruits and…

2023 Guangzhou (Jiangnan) International Fruit and Vegetable Industry Expo kicks off

The three-day "Food2China Expo and 2023 Guangzhou (Jiangnan) International Fruit and Vegetable Industry Expo" kicked off today (September 21) at the Guangzhou Poly World Trade Expo. The exhibition hall brings together various brands and companies in the Chinese fruit industry, regional fruit brands, and…

NZ Ministers are told that taking GST off fruit and veg would not lower prices

New Zealand’s Labour Government was warned earlier this year that removing GST from fruit and vegetables may not make them more affordable. According to documents obtained…

Inflation in Morocco worsens – up by 5% as of August

Morocco’s inflation rose by an annual rate of 5% at the end of August 2023. The growth in inflation is mainly due to a sweeping 10% rise in food prices, and a 1.3% rise in…

Afghan fruits and vegetables allowed entry into Pakistan without quarantine certificate

Pakistani customs authorities have allowed clearance of fruits and vegetables, imported from Afghanistan at Torkham border post, with a temporary waiver of Plant Protection…

BLE

'Domestic damson plum season was already winding down in some places'

Local damsons still formed the basis of the range: Presenta, Hauszwetschge and Top were flanked by outgoing Fellenberg. Tophit and Topend were newly added in Frankfurt. Stanley, especially from the Republic of Moldova, as well as from Serbia intensified their supplies significantly, according to BLE.…

Even after a rainy spring and summer, Rhode Island growers are not complaining

Rhode Island pumpkin, apple and peach growers said showers and downpours this season were not bad for their produce. For instance, Brian Shields' family, the newest owners of…

“We wanted to return to a 100% market trading floor tradition”

Desmettre Bio, French organic fruit and vegetable wholesaler, “made a 360° turn” several months ago, with a return to traditional know-how: the market trading floor! Louis-Marie Asselin, managing director of Desmettre Bio, explains the reasons for this choice and gives an initial assessment of the…

USDA signs contract for R&D in CEA vegetable production

AmplifiedAg received a contract award from the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Fort Pierce, Florida, to supply vertical farming research labs to the agency's Horticultural Research Laboratory. The labs will be customized to carry out CEA vegetable production research unique to the agency's…

USDA invests in efforts to prevent and reduce food loss and waste

USDA Announced that it is investing $25 million in efforts to prevent and reduce food loss and waste as part of a joint agency initiative between USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist (OCE). The funding includes $4.3 million for the Community Food…

Luc Vanoirbeek re-elected as Copa-Cogeca's fruit and vegetable working group chair

The European umbrella organization Copa-Cogeca unites dozens of agricultural associations and cooperatives. Boerenbond and its Walloon counterpart, FWA are Belgian members. Recently, the Belgian Horticultural Cooperatives Federation's (VBT) general secretary, Luc Vanoirbeek, was elected for the third…

Community and Spanish fruit and vegetable exports to Brazil, USA, and Canada are growing

According to the first session of the World Fresh Forum -a webinar organized by ICEX Spain Export and Investment, IFEMA Madrid, and FEPEX as part of the parallel activities…

More government support is coming for South Africa’s smallholder vegetable farmers

Renewed efforts are being made to increase the share of black ownership in South Africa’s agricultural sector. The most recent plan, known as the Agriculture and…

"The wholesale market site clearly continues to have a raison d'être"

With the multiple crises, regionally operating fruit wholesalers in particular are looking back on some eventful years. For the Oldenburg-based family business A+S Frucht, too, the past years have been anything but easy, according to Managing Director David Sommer, who runs the company, founded in 1979,…

Australia now officially faces an El Nino weather event

Australia is now officially in an El Nino weather event, which will probably mean a hot, dry summer and a greater threat of bushfires. However, there might be a silver lining…

Hong Kong has become South Africa's gateway to doing business in China

China is South Africa's largest trading partner, with Hong Kong being an essential gateway for South African goods to enter China. In 2022, China accounted for 9.4% of South…

Hailstorm affected 22,000 hectares in Valencian causing more than 43 million euro in losses

La Unió Llauradora stated that Sunday's hailstorms, rain, and winds had affected more than 22,000 hectares of crops and that, according to an initial emergency assessment,…

Pakistan’s exports to Middle East increases by 20%

Due to a resurgence in demand from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, Pakistani exports to the Middle East climb by 20.82% in July. Alas, the State Bank of Pakistan’s…

Fresh food program launched in Indiana will be expanded nationwide

After garnering a lot of success in Indianapolis, a fresh food program is expanding its produce credit model. Instacart and Partnership for a Healthier America created the…

Europe proposes reducing household and retail food waste by 30%

The EC has proposed that Member States reduce waste in retail trade and consumption (households, restaurants, and catering services) by 30% per capita by 2030. Following the…

The Asian market is going through a transformation of products and origins

Asia is a very important market for Salix Fruits, a global importer and exporter of fresh produce. “It is a market that has seen a transformation in terms of products and origins over the past few years,” says Javier Orti, Sales Manager Asia with Salix Fruits. “Therefore, it is very important to have a…

From January to August, Turkish fruit and vegetable exports exceeded $2 billion

Turkey’s fresh fruit and vegetable exports increased by 16 percent in January-August from a year ago, exceeding $2 billion. Tomatoes exports took the lead among all produce…

New podcast series about the history of fresh produce

Thomas Jefferson tried to start a wine company, a banana empire owned the world's largest private navy and a 19th century food spy smuggled citrons from Italy into the US. These are not fictional stories but real historical events that you can expect to hear about when you tune into The History of Fresh…

Bananas from Colombia at £0.88: 9% drop 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 from Colombia,…

"The necessary resources can be managed more easily in cooperation than on a stand-alone basis"

As a European exchange platform for producer cooperatives and other representatives of the fruit and vegetable sector, ICOP has become an indispensable date in the annual calendar over the years. We spoke to the organizing team of gfa -consulting gmbh, based in Weiz, Styria, about the supporting program…

Growing interest and attention to regenerative agriculture practices are driving new research

Increasing populations and changing climate conditions will require both innovative and ancient growing methods to feed the world. Regenerative agriculture, a movement both burgeoning and broad, is underpinned by the public’s growing awareness of how land stewardship and agricultural production…

Report calls for urgent policy measures to safeguard supply of fresh produce to consumers

The Global Coalition of Fresh Produce published the final results of its survey into the increasing costs of fruits and vegetable production around the world and their impacts…

Pakistan-Afghanistan border reopens after nine days

On Friday, the main border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan reopened after nine days. Vehicles resumed using the Torkham gateway after talks between the two…

Significant growth in Mexico’s greenhouse vegetable industry

According to a new Rabobank report, Mexico’s production and exports of protected-agriculture vine vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, have grown…

Consumer take on fresh produce innovations

The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) released its annual What’s New? 2023 consumer research at Southern Innovations. “Only one-third of consumers tend to consume fresh produce…

Discounter Aldi rolls out biggest price cuts of the year on range of fruits and vegetables

Aldi has rolled out its biggest price cuts of the year on a range of fruit and vegetable items. The supermarket lowered prices on products including bananas, apples, spinach…

South African agri exports remained robust in second quarter of 2023

South Africa’s agricultural exports amounted to$3.4bn in the second quarter of this year, up by 0.1% year on year. Despite challenges in key export markets - such as the EU in…

South Africa and Vietnam to increase and diversify trade

According to South Africa’s Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina, it is very important to increase and diversify South African exports to Vietnam…

USDA

Movement of blueberries from Oregon and Washington expected to decrease seasonally

After nearly two weeks of uncertainty regarding Hurricane Lee’s expected path and strength, the storm finally weakened to a Category 2 and turned northward midweek. New England is braced for impact, with residents preparing for violent storms. Flash flood warnings have been issued for parts of…

USDA

This week retail ads continued to trend toward autumn favorites

This week retail ads continued to trend toward autumn favorites. Pumpkins continued to increase in popularity from miniature varieties to jumbo Jack-O'-lanterns. Apple cider, apple juice, and multiple varieties of fresh apples were promoted around stores. Today marks the first day of Hispanic heritage…

Damage by flooding estimated to be in the billions in Greece

As apples were almost ripe for harvesting, the worst storms in more than a century struck Greece’s breadbasket in Thessaly. Now, farmers face millions of euros in damage from…

Peruvian fruit and vegetable exports amount to US $2.723 billion

Despite the weather events, Peruvian agricultural exports continue to conquer new markets. In the first seven months of this year (January-July), the sales of fruits and…

Bulgarian agri associations are about to unleash a national protest

More than 20 Bulgarian agricultural associations are starting a national protest from September 18. The farmers associated claim that the decision of the government of…

Croatian government caps prices of 30 supermarket products

As prices have been rising in supermarkets all over Croatia, the government has stepped in and capped the prices of 30 products, and the reduced prices will be in effect from…

The Moroccan early vegetable season is set to be difficult

While producers and exporters worked hard to prepare for the 2023-2024 agricultural campaign, nature was far from being kind. In addition to structural problems such as drought, the country recorded an all-time temperature record of 50 degrees Celsius, followed by the strongest earthquake in a century.…

"Our gastro customers always show themselves to be particularly competitive"

The pandemic has left deep scars on the German catering industry, and the after-effects of the crisis continue to be felt. "In particular, the uncertainty at the beginning of the pandemic presented us with great challenges. However, we have still been able to cope with it, not least because our gastro…

'In peaches, Turkish offers had almost displaced Spanish ones from the top of the range'

The availability of peaches and nectarines had narrowed. In the case of peaches, Turkish offers had almost displaced Spanish offers from the top of the range. Deliveries from Italy and France completed the scene. In the nectarine segment, Spanish lots outweighed Italian ones. French shipments completed…

“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…

Modeling: a tool for taking the guesswork out of growing

“With basic data types like environmental data, yield, and energy consumption, we can run different scenarios to help farmers become more cost-effective and improve their unit economics,” says Dr. Kendra Armstrong, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Crop Convergence, a company that is using…

Torkham crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan closed for seventh consecutive day

The Torkham crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained closed for traffic for the seventh consecutive day. Traders said that the fruits and vegetables in the stranded…

Auchan Portugal gives new life to its unsold fruits and vegetables

Auchan Portugal has launched the Happy Boxes, boxes containing 5kg of fruit and vegetables that have lost their commercial characteristics but are still in good condition for…

"Almost time to switch to fall season, but stone fruit and grapes still top sellers"

As October slowly nears, the switch from the summer season to fall is also gradually starting. The first 'fall products' are trickling into wholesaler Sebrechts Groenten en Fruit, but, for now, 'summer' imported fruit is still in demand. "Plums and grapes are still selling the best. The good weather may…

'South African farmers should take advantage of the recent success of the BRICS summit'

Industry experts claim that South African farmers should take advantage of the recent success of the BRICS summit in South Africa to explore this market with six additional members. Senior agricultural economist Paul Makube: “Citrus exports have so far been good with 127.1 million cartons shipped as of…

'Possible impact on tomatoes and bush beans'

Many small communities in Morocco's Atlas Mountains are completely destroyed. Survivors are burying their loved ones or clearing rubble to recover more bodies. At least 70…

"Reduced purchase quantities for fresh organic fruit and vegetables in Germany in the first 6 months of 2023"

In 2022, the organically farmed area in Germany continued to grow, increasing by 11.26 percent to a total of 1,869,227 ha. The number of producers and processing partners who are members of the associations (Naturland, Bioland, Demeter, to name but a few) is steadily growing. Sixty-four percent of the…

A storm caused serious damage to crops and infrastructure in several regions of Castellón and Valencia

According to a first emergency estimate carried out by the Association of Farmers of Valencia (AVA-ASAJA), yesterday's storm caused significant damage to crops and agricultural infrastructure in several regions of Castellón and Valencia, especially in the Plana Baixa, Vall d'Albaida, and Los Serranos.…

Full report on hazards in produce released by FAO and WHO

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) released their full report on Prevention and control of microbiological hazards in fresh fruits…

Farm fresh food in US schools is getting big federal support

Getting local food into schools has proven frustratingly complicated in the US. And while up-to-date data on the reach of farm-to-school activity is lacking, it’s clear that…

New Zealand growers phase out potent pesticides

Arable farmers have begun ruling out protecting crops with pesticides being banned in a phase out by the Environmental Protection Authority. The organophosphates of…

Agricultural exports South Africa amounted to $3.4 bln in second quarter

South Africa’s agri exports amounted to R64 bln ($3.4 billion) in the second quarter of this year. According to data from Trade Map, this amounts to a 0.1% year-on-year.…

Safeguarding crop storage research in the UK

The recent contraction of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), coupled with the closure of Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research, has paved the way for the establishment of a new network of post-harvest research facilities across the UK. This development marks a significant step…

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…

14.6% of Spain is in a state of emergency and 27.4% of it is on alert due to a lack of water

The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA) presented to the Council of…

After wildfires, floods might be dealing Greek farmers the final blow

The Greek agricultural sector has been dealt a severe blow this year. Due to the unprecedented wildfires during the summer, followed by some massive floods, analysts are…

“Possible shortage in sweet corn supply due to insufficient rains”

There has been insufficient rainfall in India, says Samir Singh, business promoter for Indian fresh produce exporter Mersel Foods. He states that this could lead to supply issues for sweet corn compared to last season: “Sweetcorn is cultivated round the year in various states in India. In Maharashtra,…

India-Nigeria infrastructure deal will boost agriculture

Nigeria has signed a multi-billion dollar deal with an Indian investment agency to support infrastructure projects including power, rails, warehousing and ports in Africa’s…

State of Espírito Santo growers have a harvested area of 73,353 hectares

The agricultural sector of the state of Espírito Santo, in southeastern Brazil, generates plenty of jobs: fruit growing represents a significant portion of the Espírito Santo…

Hawke's Bay orchardists are waiting to see if their trees will recover

According to agri experts, the trees and vines that survived the Hawke’s Bay recent floods could still perish. This could happen when the stress of blooming, growing leaves…

Agriculture Ministries of Botswana and Australia hope for more cooperation

The Africa Down Under conference, that was attended by President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his delegation in Perth, provided the Ministry of Agriculture a lot of insight into…

Agriculture's Q2 2023 GDP performance is great news for the Western Cape

According to Statistics South Africa’s (StatsSA) recently announced GDP figures South Africa’s economic performance in the second quarter of 2023 increased by 0.6% and was…

UK farmers are still struggling to recruit harvest workers

The UK government has made 15,000 extra visas available for seasonal workers, bringing the total number of people who can travel here to help to 45,000. Tessa Elliot, whose…

Agriculture is the fastest-growing sector of the South African economy for Q2 2023

According to the latest GDP figures released by Statistics South Africa, agriculture is the fastest-growing sector of the South African economy for the second quarter of 2023.…

Fruit and vegetable production up in Malaysia

According to data provided by the Malaysian Agriculture Ministry, the overall production of fruits last year is 1.827 million tons, with pineapples topping the list at 537,231 tons. As for vegetables, last year's production volume stands at 1.163 million tons, with tomatoes leading at 194,305 tons. The combined production…

Bananas from Ecuador at £0.96, steady 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 £0.96 for bananas from Ecuador,…

Real cost of water buybacks revealed

The Federal Government’s plans to increase water buybacks will have a devastating impact on food production, NSW Farmers warns. Water Taskforce chair Richard Bootle said…

USDA

Ripe late summer cantaloupes, honeydews, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, and grapes were plentiful

This week, retailers offered the best of both worlds on the cusp of a new season. Ripe late summer cantaloupes, stone fruits, honeydews, cucumbers, zucchini, corn, tomatoes, and grapes were plentiful, many grown locally. Pumpkins arrived in stores this week, joining new crop hard squash, cabbage, pears,…

USDA

Blueberries out of Michigan expected to decrease seasonally

As Hurricane Idalia made landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida, it quickly rolled through the southern part of Georgia, damaging some of the state’s fall crops, including pecans. Some produce damage was reported, with plastic torn and ripped up in some areas. Sweet corn was reported laying in the…

Ministry clarifies new minimum wage for Namibia's agri sector

Namibia’s Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation says the new entry-level minimum wage for the agricultural sector announced by the Namibia…